In recognition of his sterling contributions to strengthening bilateral relations between Niger and Nigeria, Chairman, Board of Trustees of the National Mandate Group (NMG) Amb. Hassan Tukur ends the year 2022 with the conferment of the Order of the Merit of Niger (OMN) in his bag.
The award which he recieved on December 18, 2022, is one of the highest awards to be received in the Republic of Niger.
It would be recalled that Tukur, a former Principal Private Secretary to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, received the Ivorian National Honour of Officer of the Order of the Nation of Cote d’ivoire in August this year at a ceremony presided over by Madamme Henrieta Diabate, the Grand Chancellor of the Republic in Abidjan.
Amb. Tukur who is a diplomat of outstanding repute had served in Nigerian missions and embassies some of which include Sao Tome and Principe, Equitorial Guinea among several others.
“Congratulations, Amb. Hassan Ardo Tukur, on your award of the Order of Merit of Niger (OMN) presented by President Mohamed Bazoum of the Republic of Niger, in recognition of your sterling contributions to strengthening bilateral relations between Niger and Nigeria. It is noteworthy that this is one of the highest national honours of the Republic of Niger.
“This has once again highlighted your undying commitment to promoting peace between Nigeria and her neighbouring countries. Our nation is proud of you even as you continue to blaze a trail worthy of emulation by younger generations,” Convener of the Unveiling and Rebranding Nigeria Initiative, Abdulkadir Lawal said.
Grand Chancellor of the Republic of Cote d’ivoire, Madamme Henrieta Diabate’ is empowered by the Ivoirien constitution to perform such investiture on persons who have been carefully selected and adjudged deserving of the award, sequel to the approval by the President of the Republic.
Madamme Diabate in her remarks personally noted the choice of Ambassador Tukur whom she refered to by name, as contributing to the development and peaceful coexistence of Cote d’ivoire, especially during their trying moments as an emissary of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in brokering peace between the warring groups then.
Tukur was the only Nigerian and foreigner out of 113 recipients honoured.
Amb.Tukur who is married with children and hails from Adamawa State, northeastern Nigeria, is also a beneficiary of two other honours from Nigeria; Officer of the Order of the Niger (OFR) and Equatorial Guinean; Commander of the Order of Independence.
Born on January 3, 1957, Tukur, a Nigerian Career Diplomat, has served Nigeria in various capacities starting from Chief Examiner to the Government to Charge d’ Affairs of the Country’s Embassy in Equatorial Guinea.
In 1985, Amb. Tukur was honoured with a Letter of Commendation from the then Head of State, Major General Muhammadu Buhari for his patriotism and hard work.
For his contribution to the fostering of unity and peace between the two countries (Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria), the Government of Equatorial Guinea, in 1998, conferred upon him the highest honour given to any foreign diplomat, Commander of the Order of Independence. He was also awarded the award of the Grand Commander of the Order of Independence in the year 2001.
He was conferred with the National Honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) in 2004 by President Olusegun Obasanjo; and Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) in 2011 by the President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.
Tukur speaks seven languages; English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Fulfulde, Hausa, and Chamba.
