In a condolence letter to the people of Ghana, Obasanjo described Rawlings as a “reliable friend, ally and confidant” whom he said played a key role in achieving the objectives of the Africa Leadership Forum, (ALF), a non-governmental organization he (Obasanjo) founded in 1988 to develop leadership capacities in Africa.

Obasanjo said Rawlings supported and accommodated his staff in relocating the organisation to Ghana at a time when Sanni Abacha, former military head of state, wanted to have them destroyed after he (Obasanjo) was arrested and imprisoned on a trumped-up charge of coup plotting in 1995.

“No doubt, his generous assistance to ALF and its staff makes me forever indebted to him. I can proudly say he was a true friend and brother. His works, values, and principles have had and will continue to have a great influence and impact in Africa and beyond,” he said.

“In mourning a man, who dedicated his life to the growth and development of Ghana, his country, in particular, and Africa as a whole. Like many of his contemporaries too, former President Rawlings provided the much-needed leadership and direction which impacted positively on the social stability and democratic progress recorded thus far in Ghana. A quintessential patriot and courageous leader, he will be remembered for his critical role in the evolvement of modern democratic Ghana.”

Obasanjo added that Rawlings was “passionate about peace, security and leadership issues in Africa.”

The ex-Ghanaian president died at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, capital of Ghana, after a brief illness on Thursday morning.

Rawlings, a former flight lieutenant of the Ghanaian Air Force, resigned from the military and became the first president of the Fourth Republic in 1992`.

After serving two terms in office, he endorsed his vice-president John Atta Mills as a presidential candidate in 2000.

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President Buhari, according to a statement by Femi Adesina, believes the passion, discipline and moral strength that the former Ghanaian leader employed to reposition his country over many years continue to reverberate across the continent and beyond.

The President notes, with commendation, the unique role the former President played in strengthening political institutions in his country and Africa, stimulating the economy for sustainable growth, and vociferously championing the African cause by urging many leaders to work towards interdependency on the global stage, especially in areas of competitive advantage.

President Buhari joins family, friends and associates of the former Ghanaian leader in mourning his departure, assuring that the ideas that Rawlings postulated, particularly for development in Africa, and his sacrifices in working in various countries as an envoy for peace and democracy will always be remembered.

The President prays that the almighty God will grant the Ghanaian leader eternal rest, and comfort all his loved ones.

The post President Buhari mourns Jerry Rawlings, says great loss to Africa appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

The ex-president died at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, capital of Ghana, on Thursday morning.

A military ruler, who later joined politics, Rawlings ruled Ghana from 1981 to 2001. He led a military junta until 1992, and then served two terms as the democratically elected president of Ghana.

A flight lieutenant of the Ghanaian Air Force, Rawlings first staged military coup as a young revolutionary on May 15, 1979, five weeks before scheduled elections to return the country to civilian rule.

When it failed, he was imprisoned, publicly court-martialed and sentenced to death.

After initially handing power over to a civilian government, he took back control of the country on 31 December 1981 as the chairman of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC).

He then resigned from the military, founded the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and became the first president of the Fourth Republic.

He was re-elected in 1996 for four more years. After two terms in office, the limit according to the Ghanaian constitution, Rawlings endorsed his vice-president John Atta Mills as presidential candidate in 2000.

Hw was born on June 22, 1947.

The post Jerry Rawlings, ex-Ghanaian president, dies from COVID-19 appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

Babangida who gave the commendation in Igueben, Edo, where he spoke as the Chairman at a reception marking the 70th birthday of Tom Ikimi, the All Progressive Congress (APC) South-South leader, said that the efforts of Oshiomhole were worth emulating by other governors in the country.

He said that the essence of governance was to impact on the lives of the people through people-oriented policies that would foster development.

Babangida said that the development of infrastructure by the government did not only beautify the state, but also showed that government was committed in ensuring that the people enjoyed democratic dividends.

The former head of state said that he was impressed with the red roofs in most schools in the state as it showed government’s drive in providing conducive learning environment for pupils and students.

Earlier, Oshiomhole, who was the chief host of the ceremony, described the celebrant as a “quintessential man”, whose lifestyle was worth emulating.

“Although Ikimi is a professional architect, he is also a political architect, designing alternative political platform to strengthen the nation’s democracy.”

Oshiomhole said that Nigeria needed leaders who could stand and make sacrifices for the nation so that the younger generation could enjoy and have better future.

Some of the dignitaries at the occasion include former Ghanaian President, Jerry Rawlings and former military Head of State, Abdusalam Abubakar.

Others were former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, Edo House of Assembly Majority Leader, Philip Shaibu, Sen. Chris Ngige, former Lagos Gov. Ahmed Tinubu, and Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Public Affairs, Dr Doyin Okupe.

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