India sends 20 tonnes humanitarian aid package to flood-hit Nigeria: PM Modi | India News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Modi has announced a 20-tonne humanitarian aid package to support relief efforts in flood-hit Nigeria that claimed the lives of more than 300 people.
Expressing his condolences to Nigeria during his meeting with Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Abuja, he said: “On behalf of 140 crore Indians, I express my condolences on the loss of lives due to the flood in Nigeria last month. To support relief efforts, India is sending 20 tonnes of humanitarian aid.”
More than 300 people died when the flood hit Nigeria. This devastating flood had affected 1.2 million people in 33 states in Nigeria. Floods had displaced tens of thousands of people in Kogi State in north-central Nigeria. Flash floods in Dikwa, Borno State, northeast are hampering humanitarian operations, according to the report released on October 23 by OCHA Nigeria.
India had earlier sent 15 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Nigeria to help tackle the flood crisis.
During his speech, Prime Minister Modi thanked the Nigerian President for his commitment to strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries and noted significant achievements.
“I express my gratitude for your personal commitment to strengthening strategic relations between India and Nigeria. I am pleased that Nigeria participated for the first time last year as a host country at the G20 Summit under the Indian Presidency… It is wonderful that Nigeria has been given the status of a partner country in the BRICS. I congratulate Nigeria on this important achievement,” said Prime Minister Modi.
Prime Minister Modi emphasized that this visit was the first by an Indian Prime Minister to Nigeria in 17 years, at the start of his third term in office, PTI reported.
The Prime Minister emphasized the priority given to the strategic partnership with Nigeria, noting cooperation in defense, energy, economy, technology, healthcare, education and culture. He acknowledged the contribution of 60,000 members of the Indian community in Nigeria to bilateral relations.
Prime Minister Modi expressed his appreciation for receiving the Nigerian national award, considering it in recognition of India’s 140 crore citizens and the long-standing relationship between the two countries.
Nigeria will present Prime Minister Modi with the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), becoming the second foreign recipient after Queen Elizabeth in 1969. This marks his 17th international award from a foreign nation.
The visit is part of Prime Minister Modi’s three-nation trip to Nigeria, Brazil and Guyana from November 17 to 21, aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and cooperation in various sectors.
The relationship between India and Nigeria has blossomed since they became strategic partners in 2007, with Indian companies investing more than $27 billion in various Nigerian sectors.