Gilbert Chagoury Awarded GCON By President Tinubu… Otedola Hails Honour As Deserved

By Adesina Soyooye

Internationally renowned businessman, serial entrepreneur and philanthropist, Gilbert Chagoury, has been conferred with Nigeria’s second highest National Honour – Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger, GCON- by  President Bola Tinubu.

In  a letter to the effect,  President Tinubu said Chagoury was awarded GCON because of his contributions to the country.

He wrote: “In exercise of the powers vested in me under section 1(4) of the National Honours Act, 1, BOLA AHMED TINUBU, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in recognition of your outstanding virtues and in appreciation of your services to our country, Nigeria, HEREBY award to you to have, and enjoy title, dignity and all the privileges of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) GIVEN at Abuja under my Hand and the Public Seal of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

In a swift reaction to the award to Chagoury, billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola, described it as well-deserved, and praised Chagoury’s legacy in business and national development.

He wrote: “Your life is a masterclass in vision, discipline, and steady excellence.”

Otedola noted Chagoury’s contributions to major real estate and infrastructure projects, and said that they have created jobs and left a lasting imprint on Nigeria’s urban landscape.

“From Banana Island to Eko Atlantic City, your work speaks in landmarks, jobs, and lasting impact, and your leadership has inspired generations of Nigerians to think bigger and act bolder.

“This honour is truly well deserved. I celebrate you today and always.”

Chagoury is a Lebanese- Nigerian, born to Lebanese immigrant parents in Kano.

He co-founded the Chagoury Group with his younger brother Ronald Chagoury, in 1991. The Group is an industrial conglomerate with interests in construction, real estate and property development, flour mills, water bottling (Ragolis) and purification, glass manufacturing, insurance, hotels, furniture manufacturing, telecommunications, IT, catering and international financing. Their highly rated construction company, HITECH, is handling the multi-billion Naira Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.