The Consulate-General of Lebanon in Lagos on Sunday night gave awards to five Lebanese-Nigerian organisations for their contributions to the social and educational development of Nigerians.
The awards were presented at a celebration to mark the 75^th Anniversary of the Independence of Lebanon in Lagos.

The Lebanese organisations that received the awards were the Lebanon-Nigeria Initiative (LNI), Lebanese Ladies Society (LLS), the Lebanese International School and two others.

The Consul-General of Lebanon in Lagos, Mr Elias Nicolas, said that the awards were in recognition of the recipients’ commitment to the social and educational development of Nigerians.

Nicolas said that there was dynamism in the bilateral relations between Nigeria and Lebanon, which was being driven by the social commitment of the Lebanese community in Lagos, to serve the interests of Nigerians and the Lebanese.

“Since I started my mission a few months ago, I have been witnessing a great deal of success stories of the Lebanese community’s achievements here, not only in business but in all walks of life.

“This is a showcase of the importance of cooperation and sharing of expertise between the Lebanese and their Nigerian partners.

“In recognition of this, five Lebanese-Nigerian Social and educational associations are being presented awards of appreciation for their commitment and devotion toward the development of their host country, Nigeria,’’ he said.

Nicolas expressed optimism that there would be more opportunities for Nigeria and Lebanon to continue to collaborate in the near future.

According to him, the Lebanese are convinced that the potentials of both countries would be further developed in the years ahead.

“Nigerians and the Lebanese have been committed to their friendly relations, as well as promoting mutual understanding at all levels of engagement.

“We are convinced that the potential of our friendly relations with the Nigerian people is much higher than what has been achieved so far,’’ he said.

The president of the Lebanese-Nigerian Initiative (LNI), Mr Faysal El-Khalil, said after receiving their award that his organisation was only giving back to Nigeria and Nigerians as a show of appreciation.

El-Khalil said that the organisation was prepared to invest in the future of young Nigerians through education that would make them employable and self-dependent.

According to him, Lebanese companies have so far provided many job opportunities to Nigerians.

The president of the Lebanese Ladies Society (LLS), Mrs Claude Nader, who commended the consul-general for the award, said that Nigeria had provided the Lebanese a place to raise their children with amazing opportunities.

Nader extended her gratitude and love to Nigeria and her people, adding that Nigeria had given many Lebanese nationals better lives.

The celebration afforded the Lebanese and their Nigerian friends the opportunity to eat their national dishes together, enjoy dance performances by Lebanese girls, and a performance by a Lebanese guest guitarist, Jihad Wehbe. (NAN)

– Nov. 26, 2018 @ 12:19 GMT |