Dangote, Rabiu, Matawalle, Others Bag Highest Awards In Niger Republic

Nigerian billionaire and president of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote and President of BUA Group, Abdulsamad Rabi’u were conferred with prestigious awards in the Republic of Niger on Wednesday, August 3, 2022.

Other Nigerian leaders also conferred with the highest awards in the neighbouring country include the Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Badaru Abubakar and the Governor of Zamfara State, Mohammed Bello Matawalle.

Naija News understands that the Nigerian citizens were conferred with the awards today during the Independence Day ceremony in Niger.

Every August 3 commemorates the African country’s Independence Day.

Reports said the four Nigerian citizens were conferred with the country’s national honours in recognition of their roles in the promotion of better relations between the two sister states.

They were awarded the “Order of Merit of Niger, Great Master of National Awards.”

Presenting the awards, Nigerien President, Mohammed Bazoum said his country cherished Nigeria as one of its closest neighbours and friends.

Others honoured from the Presidency are the Senior Special Assistant (Household and Domestic Affairs) to the President, Sarki Abba, and the State Chief of Protocol, Ambassador Lawal Kazaure, Naija News understands.

In his remark, President Bazoum praised the efforts of the ‘Nigerian brothers’ who according to him had made great strides in increasing understanding between the two nations and for acting as agents of social and economic development.

The Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and Governor of Kebbi State, Abubakar Bagudu was one of those who graced the occasion.

Naija News understands that Niger got its independence from France in 1960 and since 1975 has been recognised as “tree planting day” as trees are planted across the nation to aid the fight against desertification.

Buhari Govt Confirms Buying Vehicles For Niger Republic, Gives Reason

The government of Nigeria led by President Muhammadu Buhari has confirmed that it purchased ten vehicles for the Niger Republic.

The federal government gave the confirmation on Wednesday through the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed.

Speaking to newsmen after the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja, Ahmed confirmed the purchase of ten vehicles valued at ₦1,145,000,000 for the Niger Republic.

This confirmation follows the outrage that greeted the leaked document about the purchase which was shared by popular Investigative Journalist, David Hundeyin, on his verified Twitter handle on Tuesday night.

A careful look at the document shows that it emanated from the country’s budget office indicating that President Buhari approved the funds for the purchase of 10 Toyota land Cruiser jeeps.

The document also revealed the account name and number to which the money was paid into.

However, Hundeyin stated that he went ahead to confirm the account details provided in the document and it belongs to an automobile dealer, Kaura Motors Nigeria Limited.

Defending the action of the federal government, Ahmed explained that Nigeria has a culture of assisting needy neighbours in the spirit of brotherhood.

She added that it would also help in dealing with insecurity.