Honours: Tinubu, others congratulate Dangote on Senegalese Award of National Order of the Lion

*President Bola Ahmed Tinubu commends Aliko Dangote, President/Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, for his enterprise and ingenuity, creating jobs and opportunities for many in Nigeria and across West Africa

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Alhaji Aluko Dangote, President/Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), has been conferred with the prestigious Award of the National Order of the Lion by President Macky Sall of the Republic of Senegal.

The conglomerate in a statement Thursday, February 1, 2024, said the Senegal’s National Order of the Lion Award is the highest civilian laurel to be bestowed on any individual in the West African country.

“The award ceremony will be held, in Senegal on Friday,” said the company in the statement.

Why Senegal Government’s laurel for Dangote?

The DIL explained Senegal’s highest recognition and honour was said to be “in appreciation for the services Dangote has rendered to the Republic of Senegal as well as a tribute to his business acumen, philanthropy, and developmental projects, which are capable of transforming Africa as a whole.”

The Dangote Group has a Cement Plant in Pout, Senegal.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sent a congratulatory message to the frontline businessman on the award conferred on Dangote by the Senegalese Government.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, in a statement noted President Tinubu applauded the industrialist for his enterprise and ingenuity, creating jobs and opportunities for many in Nigeria and across West Africa, as well as contributing to their economies, which the award further affirms.

Tinubu also commended Mr. Dangote and wished him the very best in his endeavours.

It is recalled that recently, Dangote was also conferred with the Commander of the Order of Merit of Niger award by the President of the then Republic of Niger, His Excellency Mohamed Bazoum in Niamey.

In the same vein, Dangote also bagged Nigeria’s second highest national honour, Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), after the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) – an award which is usually reserved for Nigerian Presidents and Heads of State.

Dangote became the first individual outside government to receive this national honour, DIL stated.

Previously, the GCON honour had only been awarded to Vice-Presidents, Chief Justices of the country, and Senate Presidents in Nigeria.