President Olusegun Obasanjo has been honoured with the Leadership in
Africa Award by organisers of the African Muzik Magazine Awards
(AFRIMMA).
The former president was given the diadem on the occasion of the 4th
AFRIMMA Awards and Festival which held on October 8, at the House of
Blues, Dallas, Texas, United States.
Tauted as the biggest African music awards in Diaspora, this year’s
AFRIMMA was attended by celebs such as Tiwa Savage, Falz, Basketmouth,
Emma Nyra, and Kaffy among others, who joined in the colourful
celebration of African music on the world stage.
Founder and CEO of Big A Entertainment, Anderson Obiagwu, said AFRIMMA
Leadership in Africa Award is dedicated to Africans who have served with
distinction in various leadership capacities in Africa and
internationally.
He said: “Obasanjo, it would be recalled, is the first Nigerian to serve
as Military Head of State as well as Civillian President.
“Some of his major achievements and accomplishments include being the
first Military Head of State to successfully hand over power to an
elected civillian President and also played a crucial role in wrestling
back power from the Military in 1999, culminating in him being elected
President.
“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.”
Davido won the AFRIMMA Artiste of the Year, and Song of the Year with ‘IF’.
