Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has been honoured with the Zambia’s highest award, the Order of the Eagle, by President Hakainde Hichilema in Lusaka, the country’s capital.
Also, former Presidents Ellen Sirleaf-Johnson of Liberia and Ernest Bai Koroma of Sierra Leone got similar honour yesterday at a colourful ceremony.
Special Assistant on Media to the former Nigerian President, Kehinde Akinyemi, stated that the honours were contained in a government official gazette, which was made available on Wednesday.
In the publication with No. 7146, Vol. LVIII, No. 72, the gazette notice No.1067 of 2022 of the Constitution of Zambia was signed by the Acting Secretary of the Cabinet, P.K. Kangwa.
The gazette reads: “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.”
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 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.”