Introduction and Background

- The Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) is the 2nd-highest national award given in Nigeria.

- The prestigious award is conferred upon significant individuals for their notable achievements and contributions on a national or international level.

- Just recently, India’s Prime Minister became the second foreign dignitary to receive this impressive distinction.

 

Award in Recent News

- The GCON award has gained recent news coverage due to its conferral onto the Prime Minister of India.

- This significant event places the Prime Minister as the second foreign dignitary to ever receive the GCON award.

- Queen Elizabeth was the first foreign dignitary to be bestowed this honour, having been conferred the award in 1969.

 

Key Facts about Nigeria - Award’s Country of Origin

- Nigeria, often referred to as the "Giant of Africa," is the most populous country on the African continent.

- With the largest economy in Africa, Nigeria also holds the title for being the richest oil resource centre across the continent.

- Geographically, Nigeria is situated in West Africa and opens in the Atlantic Ocean.

- The country shares its borders with several African nations, including Niger, Chad, Cameroon, and Benin.

- Nigeria's prestigious GCON award underscores the nation's commitment and dedication to recognizing individuals who have made significant strides in their respective fields.

 

Importance of GCON Award

- The GCON award serves as a platform to recognise and honour individuals for their exceptional contributions at both national and international levels.

- This includes recipients who have significantly impacted their fields of work or made significant strides in the economic, political, and social spheres.

- As a prestigious international honour, the GCON award enhances the diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the recipient’s home country. In this case, it signified a further strengthening of ties between Nigeria and India.