At the pre-inauguration dinner to usher in the new administration which held in Abuja last night, Nigeria’s incoming vice president, Yemi Osinbajo, was bestowed with the title of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON).

The GCON is customarily awarded to the vice president while the president gets the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR). Since Buhari already has the GCFR by virtue of his position as former head of state, he was not decorated last night.

Osinbajo was decorated by Pres. Goodluck Jonathan at the dinner.

The GCFR and GCON are two of Nigeria’s national honours instituted by the National Honors Act No. 5 of 1964, during the Nigerian First Republic, to honour Nigerians who have rendered service to the benefit of the nation.

The GCON which was given to Osinbajo is also awarded to the Senate president and the chief justice of Nigeria during their first years in office.