Vincent Del Buono, and his wife, Jennifer Pothier, hold the medal representing the Order of the Federal Republic at their home in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Niagara-on-the-Lake resident Vincent Del Buono was awarded one of Nigeria's highest honours.

On May 31, Del Buono was awarded the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The honour, bestowed upon him by Umaru Msa Yar'Adua, the president of Nigeria, recognized Del Buono for his achievements in promoting justice sector reform and human rights for the poor in Nigeria. Del Buono's efforts constituted a significant contribution to enhancing respect for the rule of law and human rights in Nigeria.

Each year, the president of Nigeria, on the recommendation of the National Honours Committee and with the concurrence of the National Assembly, confers national honours on about 250 Nigerians and a few non-Nigerians.

"It feels great to receive this," Del Buono said. "It's like receiving the Order of Canada. I had worked for five and a half years on legal reform in Nigeria. It's an honour. I had found out through a Nigerian newspaper and then got a formal letter in the mail. The ceremony was small, but worth the trip."

Del Buono was the founding president of the International Society for the Reform of Criminal Law which has had many distinguished Nigerian members right from its outset. He was also the founding president of the International Centre for Criminal Law and Criminal Justice Policy in Vancouver.

Del Buono previously received the International Society of Criminal Law Medal, The Rt. Hon. Adrienne Clarkson Laureateship in public service from Massey College in Toronto and two traditional Nigerian titles, Eze Oka Iwu (The King's Law Maker), Abor Community, Enugu State and Wakilin Sulhu (The Emir's Chief Mediator), Dutse Emirate, Jigawa State.