The Government of Japan has named former Minister of National
Planning and Budget, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, as one of the foreign recipients
of the 2019 Autumn Imperial Decorations.
A press statement issued in Abuja yesterday by the Embassy
of Japan said that Udoma would receive “the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and
Silver Star,’’ which is one of the highest orders awarded in the name of His
Majesty the Emperor of Japan, in recognition of his contributions towards
strengthening bilateral relations and promoting friendship between Japan and
Nigeria.
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“Udoma, an accomplished lawyer who served as the Minister of
Budget and National Planning of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from 2015 to
2019, and Honorary Consul of Japan at Lagos from 2011 to 2015, is the first
Nigerian ever to receive the Order of the Rising Sun award from the government
of Japan.’’
The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star is one of
the highest orders under the Order of the Rising Sun, established in 1875 by
Emperor Meiji. The Order was the first national decoration awarded by the
government of Japan, with the badge features rays of sunlight from the rising
sun.
“The order is awarded in the name of his Majesty the Emperor
of Japan and is awarded to those who have made distinguished achievements in
the international relations, promotion of Japanese culture, advancements in
their field, development in welfare or preservation of the environment.
“The Order of the Rising Sun comprises as follows: Grand
Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun; the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and
Silver Star; the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon; the Order
of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette; the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold
and Silver Rays and the Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays,’’ the statement
added.