“The honour would serve as an encouragement to do more for the continent” – Obasanjo
On Thursday, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo was conferred with ‘The Order of the Eagle of Zambia’ — first division.
Other recipients of the honour, which is Zambia’s highest for civilians, are Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, former president of Liberia, and Ernest Bai Koroma, former president of Sierra Leone.
Hakainde Hichilema, president of the Republic of Zambia, who conducted the investiture ceremony, praised the trio for distinguishing themselves in their countries, in Africa, and globally.
Hichilema also praised the recipients “for their unrelenting efforts to establish and promote democracy and good governance, as a precursor to improving livelihoods of their people and other Africans”.
Kehinde Akinyemi, the Special Assistant on Media to the former Nigerian President, hinted that the honours were contained in a government official gazette, which was made available on Wednesday.
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In the publication with No 7146, Vol. LVIII, No. 72, the gazette notice No.1067 of 2022 of the Constitution of Zambia notifying the public on the honours, was signed by the Acting Secretary of the Cabinet, P.K Kangwa.
“The Presidential Honours and Awards (Conferment) Notice, 2022. It is notified for public information that in exercise of the powers contained in Article 92 (2)(g) of the Constitution of Zambia, the President, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, will, at the Special investiture ceremony to be held on 14th July, 2022, confer Honours and Awards specified in the schedule on the persons named in the schedule.
“The Order of the Eagle of Zambia 1st Div – Olusegun Obasanjo – Nigeria, Ellen Sirleaf Johnson – Liberia, Ernest Bai Koroma – Sierra Leone,” according to Akinyemi.
Reacting on behalf of awardees, Obasanjo said the honour would serve as encouragement to do more for the continent.
“On behalf of the awardees, I wish to thank you for the honour done us.
“We take this honour as an encouragement to do more. Whatever we have done for Africa and for humanity to make you honour us, we assure you we will do more.”
