Jonathan, Akpata, Wabote Honoured at African Heritage Concert, Awards

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

Former President Goodluck Jonathan and some prominent Nigerians, including a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olumide Akpata; founder of Heritage Bank Plc, Dr. Ifie Sekibo and the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Simbi Wabote, have been honoured at the maiden edition of the African Heritage Concert and Awards held over the weekend in Kigali, Rwanda.

Jonathan received the African Democracy and Peace Icon Award, while Akpata bagged African Legal Icon Award. Sekibo received the African Philanthropist Award, while Wabote got the Champion of Local Content Development in Africa Award.

Prominent African leaders and icons were also honoured at the maiden edition of the awards.

A press release on Monday by Emmanuel Obisue for Heritage Times, said 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 pacifying the image of Africa.

In his acceptance speech after receiving his award, President 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”.

He said as elected leaders, they have the obligation to run their countries properly, not to dehumanize human beings and make their lives difficult.

Former President of Botswana, Dr. Seretse Khama Ian Khama, who bagged the African Philanthropist Award, harped on the urgent need for African leaders to do the right thing and develop the continent.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the Chairman of Heritage Times HT, Mr Moses Siloko 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.

He advocated unity and peace across Africa, adding that Africa has a prestigious place in the world stage.

Other awardees at the event were former President of Tanzania, Late John Magufuli, African Icon Award (Posthumous); founder and Director of Bright Kids Uganda, Victoria Nalongo Namusisi, African Humanitarian Award.