Buhari, WHO DG, Presidents Magafuli, Kagame Honoured As Africa Great Leaders

President Muhammadu Buhari has been awarded the Most Outstanding African Leader for his war on corruption, fight against COVID-19 and commitment to regional security and integration.

Others honoured during the extraordinary zoom conference organized by IMPART AFRICA to commemorate the 2020 Nelson Mandela International Day, with the theme, “Leadership and Innovation as Panaceas for Development in Post COVID 19 Africa,” at the weekend, were President John Pombe Magafuli of Tanzania and President Paul Kagame of Rwanda.

The event, which had over 200 participants from Europe, America, Asia, South-Africa and other parts of the world, was chaired by the immediate past Governor of Bauchi State, Barr. Mohammed Abubakar.

Speaking at the occasion, the Country Director of IMPART AFRICA, Dr. Adams Otakwu, congratulated President Buhari and other honourees, noting there couldn’t be a better time than this COVID 19 era for African leaders to rise to the occasion in refocusing the continent.

Otakwu, in his speech said that the theme for the programme “was well chosen in order to reposition Africa at a moment of great global anxiety when the entire world is plagued by the COVID 19 Pandemic.

“The Conference is to examine the challenges of insecurity, food shortage, and economic downturn confronting the continent and recommend measures that can surmount these challenges.

“Certainly, the need for effective, visionary and committed leadership on the continent as well as innovation in Science in the search for COVID 19 vaccine cannot be overemphasized. Equally important is the need for Technological Innovation in the fight against Terrorism and Insurgency.”

He explained that participants were drawn from respective professional backgrounds across the continents of the World to join the conversation.

Explaining why some Africa leaders were honoured, the Country Director of IMPART AFRICA said, “we take occasion of this historic event to honour five eminent citizens of the continent in recognition of their contributions to development, humanitarian services and the very ideals by which the late Dr. Nelson Mandela lived.

“We honour His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR as Most Outstanding African Leader for his war on corruption that earned him the African Union anti-corruption leader, his fight against COVID 19 that earned him the ECOWAS champion of the regional response, his commitment to regional security and integration, and his development of agriculture, infrastructure, science and technology.

“We honour His Execellency, President John Pombe Magafuli of Tanzania in recognition for his contributions to public healthcare delivery and rapid development of education.

“We honour President Paul Kagame of Rwanda in recognition of his contributions to Youth Empowerment.