Republic of Niger President, Mohammed Bazoum, on Tuesday decorated Borno Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, with the country’s Second-Order National Honour for his courage and resilience in the fight against Boko Haram and resettlement plan for refugees.

Daily Trust reported that the award tagged “de Grand Officer dans I`Ordre” is the equivalent of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) in Nigeria’s ranking of national honours.

A statement by Isa Gusau, media aide to the governor, quoted President Bazoum as saying that he honoured Zulum after monitoring his courage, sincere fight against Boko Haram, deep concern on the plight of Borno citizens taking refuge in parts of the Niger Republic whom he has visited a number of times, offering support and steadily evacuating and resettling the refugees in new houses built in Borno.

The decoration was performed in Zindar as part of events lined up by the Federal Government of Niger to celebrate the country’s Independence Day.

Reports said Zulum’s national award, “de Grand Officer dans I`Ordre”, is second only to “Grand Croix Des Ordre National Du Niger” which is the equivalent of GCFR, and only serving Presidents in Niger normally get the award.

This would also be the first time a Nigerien president would honour a Nigerian governor with the country’s second-highest national award.

According to the statement, Zulum further said the honour would not make him relent in his devotion towards the Borno people.

Shortly after his decoration, Bazoum invited Zulum to accompany him to commission the 138km Zindar road project and the 22 megawatts power project also in Zindar.