IT was a day of pomp and pageantry when policy makers, diplomats and Legal Practitioners on the African continent converged on Niamey, Niger Republic. It was the annual conference of the voice of the legal profession on the continent, African Bar Association, AFBA.
The one week conference which took place between October 3 – 8, 2021 witnessed the AFBA conferring honour on some distinguished former leaders and one of Africa’s foremost businessman, industrialist and philanthropist, Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu, ASR.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria, Ernest Bai Koroma of Sierra Leone, Mohammadou Issafou of Niger Republic and Ellen Sirleaf Johnson of Liberia were honoured for their commitment to the tenets of democracy and the rule of law.
Hannibal Uwaifo, President of AFBA says, “The former presidents were honoured for respecting constitutional term limits in their countries, thereby promoting the virtues of democracy”.
Whereas, Rabiu, a foremost industrialist, billionaire businessman and renowned philanthropist was honoured for his undying commitment to the promotion of enterprise, charity and creation of jobs for the youths across the continent. He was also commended for his contributions to education, with his recent donation of six billion naira to six universities across the six geo political zones of Nigeria.
The self-effacing businessman has also established the ASR Initiative where a dedicated sum of $100million is set aside annually for the promotion, development and sustenance of entrepreneurship on the continent.
While receiving their awards and speaking on behalf of all the awardees, former President Jonathan commended AFBA for the foresight and recognition of their ‘token’ contributions to the development, peace and stability in Africa. Former Presidents Jonathan, Koroma and Issafou where physically present to receive their awards, while Johnson was represented.
Alhaji Rabiu who was unavoidably absent was represented by Dr. Aliyu Idi Hong, Former Minister of State, Foreign Affairs.
