Former president of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan is among other prominent African leaders and icons that have been honoured at the maiden edition of the African Heritage Concert and Awards held in Kigali, Rwanda.
According to the organizers – Heritage Times (HT), the event was strategically packaged to celebrate and honour African greats who have distinguished themselves in their various fields of endeavour and have made sustainable global impact in enhancing the image of Africa.
In a statement signed by Emmanuel Obisue for Heritage Times, in his acceptance speech after receiving the African Democracy and Peace Icon Award, former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, appealed to African leaders who are privileged to hold public offices to become servants of the people, and not turn themselves into the bosses of the people.
“When you are called the executive president, we have to run our country properly, not dehumanize human beings and make their lives difficult. What you should think is when you leave office, what will the world remember?
“Will the world remember you for killing people? Will the world remember you for jailing people, or will the world remember you for destroying their systems?
“What people will remember you for is what should guide our decisions, and I believe if every leader should begin to think that when you leave office, one day you will be remembered one way or the other, positively or negatively,” Jonathan said.
Also, the vice president of the Republic of Liberia, Chief Dr. Jewel Howard-Taylor who was conferred with the African Humanitarian Award, declared that honouring the best and brightest minds in Africa is crucial for navigating the future of the continent, especially as it concerns leadership.
She reminded African leaders that the dream of achieving a robust and sustainable Africa rests heavily on their shoulders. She added that celebrating Africans who have made impacts, will help change the negative narrative about Africa that is being propagated by the Western media.
The former president of Botswana, Dr. Seretse Khama Ian Khama, who bagged the African Philanthropist Award, stressed the urgent need for African leaders to do the right thing and develop the continent. While commending HT for putting together the event, he also noted that the future of Africa remains bright and great despite seeming challenges.
On his part, Professor Patrick Lumumba who picked up the Africa Advancement Award worried that the African continent is in a crisis mode and that if African leaders are not careful, the “continent will be eaten for launch once again”. “I am energized by this award. I dedicate this award to Africans of goodwill, from whose eyes, the scales of ignorance have been removed. Growing Africa is an inter-generational struggle,” he added.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the chairman of Heritage Times, Mr Moses Siasia, noted that the choice of Rwanda as the venue for the event was strategic, given the country’s front role in setting the pace for growth and sustainable development in Africa.
While in retrospect on the 1994 Genocide in Rwanda, he advocated for unity and peace across Africa, adding that Africa has a prestigious place on the world stage.
He added that Africa lacks inspirational leaders, but expressed hope that the awards and special recognition are one of the surest ways in which mentors will be created.
