Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed condolences to the people of Nigeria for the loss of life and property due to last month’s devastating floods and announced the sending of 20 tonnes of humanitarian aid to support relief efforts.
PM Modi said during his meeting with Nigerian President Bola, “On behalf of 140 crore Indians, I express my condolences on the loss of life and property due to floods in Nigeria last month. In support of relief operations, India is sending 20 tonnes of humanitarian aid. Used to be.” Ahmed Tinubu in Abuja.
Ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit, India had also sent 15 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Nigeria as the country grapples with devastating floods.
During his address, PM Modi expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Nigerian President for his “personal commitment” to strengthening the strategic partnership between India and Nigeria and highlighted the milestones achieved.
“I express my gratitude for your personal commitment to strengthening the strategic relationship between India and Nigeria. I am pleased that last year, under India’s chairmanship, Nigeria attended the G20 Summit as a guest country for the first time … It is heartening that PM Modi has been given the status of a partner country in BRICS. I congratulate Nigeria for this important achievement.
“As was just said, an Indian Prime Minister is coming here after 17 years. It is a matter of great pleasure for me that I get the opportunity to visit Nigeria at the beginning of my third term. I am very grateful for this, “he said.
He further said, “We give high priority to our strategic partnership with Nigeria. Defence, energy, economy, technology, health, education, culture etc. are the areas in which our cooperation is strong… We are working to overcome this Working together.” There are many challenges such as terrorism, drugs and smuggling and the more than 60,000 members of the Indian community living in Nigeria have played an important role in our relations.
PM Modi expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Nigeria for the national honor bestowed upon him and described it as a tribute to the 140 crore people of India and the age-old relations between the two countries.
“This honor is not just mine, it is the honor of 140 crore Indians, it is the honor of the age-old relations between India and Nigeria, it is the honor of those relations. I am very grateful to Nigeria, your government and everyone.” The people of the country for this honour,” the PM said.
It is noteworthy that Nigeria will honor PM Modi with the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON). With this, PM Modi has become the second foreign dignitary to receive this honour. Queen Elizabeth is the only other foreign dignitary to have been awarded a GCON, in 1969. This will be the 17th international award given to PM Modi by any country.
It is noteworthy that PM Modi met Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Sunday.
The two leaders held a meeting at the Presidential Palace in Abuja.
Earlier, Tinubu also expressed his eagerness to welcome Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his historic first visit to Nigeria.
Sharing a post on Twitter, the Nigerian President wrote, “I look forward to welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his maiden visit to Nigeria, the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to our dear country since 2007 Our bilateral discussions will continue.” “Welcome to Nigeria, looking forward to expanding the strategic partnership between the two countries and enhancing cooperation in key areas, PM Modi @NarendraModi.”
It is noteworthy that PM Modi reached Nigeria on Sunday in the first leg of his three-nation tour.
Upon his arrival, PM Modi was warmly welcomed by Minister of Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Ezenove Wike in Abuja, the capital of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Wike presented the ‘key to the city’ of Abuja to PM Modi. This key is a symbol of the trust and respect given to the Prime Minister by the people of Nigeria.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a tour of three countries: Nigeria, Brazil and Guyana from November 17 to November 21.
Following the invitation by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, PM Modi issued a statement indicating his first stop in Nigeria is aimed at strengthening strategic ties between the two countries.
“At the invitation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, this will be my first visit to Nigeria, our close partner in the West African region. My visit will be an opportunity to advance our strategic partnership that is based on a shared belief in democracy.” And pluralism. I am also looking forward to meeting the Indian community and Nigerian friends who have sent me warm welcome messages in Hindi.”
India and Nigeria enjoy warm, friendly and deep bilateral relations.
This visit of PM Modi is the first visit of an Indian Prime Minister to Nigeria in 17 years.
India is emerging as Nigeria’s development partner on two fronts – by providing developmental assistance through concessional loans and by offering capacity building training programmes.
India and Nigeria have been strategic partners since 2007 with growing economic, energy and defense cooperation. Over 200 Indian companies have invested over US$27 billion in key sectors in Nigeria. India and Nigeria also share a strong development cooperation partnership.
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