Nigeria, Feb. 11 -- The Japanese government has conferred one of its highest national honours, the "Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star" on the former Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udoma.

The honour is one of the highest orders under the Order of the Rising Sun established in 1875 by Emperor Meiji. It was the first national decoration awarded by the Government of Japan.

An imperial decoration conferment ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, February 12, in Abuja, a statement by the former minister's media consultant, Akpandem James, said on Tuesday.

"Senator Udoma Udo Udoma received The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star, one of the highest orders awarded in the name of His Majesty, the Emperor of ...