From Dauda R PamMaiduguri
President Republic of Niger, Mohammed Bazoum, Tuesday, awarded the second highest national honours to Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno state, “de Grand Officer dans I`Ordre”, the equivalent of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger, GCON in the Nigerian parlance of ranking of national honours.
President Bazoum, said after monitoring Governor Zulum’s courage,comitment and sincerity in the fight against Boko Haram, considered him worthy of the award of the second highest honours of republic of Niger.
Coupled with his deep concern on the plight of Borno citizens taking refuge in parts of Niger Republic, in which the GOVERNOR had cause to visit them a number of times, offering support and steadily evacuating and resettling the refugees in new houses built in Borno.
The decoration took place during this year’s national independence celebrations of the republic of Niger, in Zindar,as part of events lined up for the ceremony.
He said,the highest national award, “Grand Croix Des Ordre National Du Niger” the equivalent of GCFR, is conferred only on serving Presidents in Niger.
According to the President,Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum,was the first governor from Nigeria to be so decorated with the country’s National Honour, “de Grand Officer dans I`Ordre”, the country’s second highest national award.
Reacting to the award, Governor ZULUM,said the honour would spur him to do more towards the improvement of Borno people.
Accompanied to the republic of Niger,by Senators, Kashim Shettima, Mohammed Ali Ndume, Chief whip of the House of Representatives, Mohammed Tahir Monguno, Speaker Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan, and the Commissioner of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Engr Bukar Talba.
Highlights of the occasion,,was the commissioning of 138km road project and the 22 mega watts power station,all in Zindar.
