By KETRA KALUNGA
PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has honored three former African heads of state, Olusegun Obasanjo, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Ernest Bai Koroma with the Order of the Engle of Zambia first division for their dedication and commitment to Africa and particularly Zambia.
President Hichilema said yesterday during the investiture ceremony at State house that former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo was an example of true statesman who believed in real democracy and whose legacy is worth of special recognition.
Mr Hichilema described Mr Obasanjo as an International statesman with the passion of serving humanity in Africa and beyond the continent.
He said Mr Obasanjo has contributed to the democracy and conflicts resolution remediation in many nations including Zambia.
Mr. Hichilema also honored former Liberian President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and first female President in Africa for being the leading promotor of freedom, peace, justice and women’s empowerment and democratic rule across the continent.
He said Zamia has seen firsthand the impact of Ms. Sirleaf’s dedication to promoting democratic rule and empowering women, the accolades that made her known internationally as Iron lady.
Former Sierra Leone President, Ernest Bai Koroma was also honored for his contribution to promoting peaceful and democratic elections in Africa.
Mr Hichilema said Mr Koroma deserved to be honored for having played a key role as Head of the African Union election observer mission in Zambia in the peaceful transition of power from former President Edgar Lungu to him arising from the election held on 12 August 2021.
And Mr Hichilema assured the former heads of state that his administration was working on fulfilling the promise of creating jobs and fixing the economy on which it was brought into power.
