ABUJA- Nigeria: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was awarded the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) during his first official visit to Nigeria. This honor was bestowed by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu during a bilateral meeting at Aso Rock Villa in Abuja, the official residence and office of the Nigerian Presidency.

President Tinubu highlighted the strong relationship between Nigeria and India, emphasizing India's contributions to democratic values and mutual cooperation. “Nigeria values its excellent relationship with India, and we work to deepen and broaden the same to the mutual benefit of our two friendly countries. You represent a very strong commitment in democratic values and norms. You have been doing a good job historically, winning three consecutive elections in a complex society is a feat that we respect so much,” said Tinubu.

He continued, “I will confer on you today, the Prime Minister of India, Nigeria’s National Honour, the Grand Commander of the Order of Niger. This to signify Nigerian appreciation and commitment to India as a partner.”

The only other foreign leader to receive this distinction was Queen Elizabeth in 1969, making PM Modi the second in history.

This recognition comes shortly after another announcement from Dominica, which recently revealed plans to present its highest national award, the 'Dominica Award of Honour,' to PM Modi. This acknowledgment is in response to his key support during the COVID-19 crisis and his dedication to enhancing India-Dominica relations. The award is expected to be presented at the India-CARICOM Summit in Guyana, following PM Modi’s participation in the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro.

The addition of the Nigerian honour brings the total number of prestigious civilian awards received by PM Modi to 17, underscoring his international influence and India's elevated standing globally.

PM Modi has previously been awarded top civilian honors from countries such as Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Palestine, the UAE, Russia, Maldives, Bahrain, the United States, Bhutan, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Egypt, France, and Greece. His growing list of accolades is a testament to India's bolstered diplomatic ties and increasing global impact.

In addition to these national recognitions, PM Modi has also received multiple awards from esteemed global organizations. These include the Seoul Peace Prize in 2018 for his work in promoting global harmony, the United Nations' Champions of The Earth Award for environmental leadership, the Philip Kotler Presidential Award for exemplary leadership, and the Global Goalkeeper Award from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for advancing India’s Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. In 2021, he was honored with the Global Energy and Environment Leadership Award for his efforts in global sustainability.

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