Nigeria’s former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has been honoured with the Leadership in Africa Award, by organisers of The African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA).
Speaking on the AFRIMMA Leadership in Africa Award, Anderson Obiagwu, CEO, AFRIMMA said the award is dedicated to African greats who have served with distinction in various leadership capacities in Africa and internationally.
Obiagwu recalls that Obasanjo was the first Nigerian to serve as Military Head of State as well as Civilian President.
“Some of his major achievements and accomplishments include being the first Military Head of State to successfully hand over power to an elected civilian President and also played a crucial role in wrestling back power from the Military in 1999 culminating in him being elected President,” he noted.
Obiagwu added, “Obasanjo is also a designated UN envoy who has overseen various democratic elections across the continent. He is particularly renowned for his activities in the peace process of West African countries Liberia and Sierra Leone. He famously resolved along with President Biya of Cameroon the protracted Bakassi Peninsula issue by signing the ‘Greentree Agreement’.
“The amiable leader established the Presidential Library which is one of the biggest educational tourism institutions in Africa . It would be recalled also that it was during his tenure as President that GSM mobile technology was introduced to Nigeria while counterparts Benin, Togo and Ghana were all already on the GSM technology.
“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way and Olusegun Aremu Okikiola Mathew Obasanjo has been a tenacious leader who has left an imprint on African leadership history,” said Obiagwu.
The 4th edition of the music award and festival held this year, at the House of Blues, Dallas, Texas, United States.
Some of the African performers who thrilled fans at the event include Diamond Platnumz {Tanzania}; Tiwa Savage {Nigeria}; Victoria Kimani {Kenya}; Fally Ipupa {Congo}; C4 Pedro {Angola}; Falz {Nigeria}; Tzy Panshak {Cameroon}; Ray Vanny {Tanzania}; Emma Nyra {Nigeria}; and Stylze {Jamaica} among others.