Politics

Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo says the late former Ghana president, Mr Jerry Rawlings was a quintessential patriot and courageous leader that will be remembered for his critical role in the evolution of modern democratic Ghana.

Chief Obasanjo in a condolence letter to the people of Ghana on the death of her former leader and President, made available in Abeokuta eulogized the former leader as passionate about peace, security and leadership issues in Africa.

According to the former Nigeria President, the late President Rawlings will be missed for his exemplary leadership across Africa for his contribution to nation-building in the Republic of Ghana as the Military Head of State and as a democratically-elected President.

He said former President Rawlings provided the much-needed leadership and direction which impacted positively on the social stability and democratic progress recorded thus far achieved in Ghana. 

Chief Obasanjo said he worked closely with late Rawlings within the last two years of completing his second term in office, as a democratically-elected President of Nigeria during which he found in him a reliable friend, ally and confidant. 

The former Nigeria President said they worked together under the auspices of Africa Union with constructive contributions at the various fora in their joint efforts at charting a new future for Africa particularly in tackling the scourge of malaria on the continent.

Chief Obasanjo said he joined the government and the good people of Ghana as well as millions of others around the world in mourning a man, who dedicated his life to the growth and development of Ghana, his country, in particular, and Africa as a whole praying to God Almighty to give the family of late former president, the government and people of Ghana the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss of the committed nationalist.

Wale Oluokun

Lifestyle

The Journalists International Forum for Migration, JIFORM, has mourned the passing away of former Ghana President, Jerry Rawlings describing him as a great liberator and one of the greatest pan-Africanists who ever lived.

The media foundation with over 250 journalists covering migration across the world also expressed condolences to the people of Nigeria over the death of former Kaduna State Governor, Alhaji Balarabe Musa.

President of JIFORM, Ajibola Abayomi, in a statement said Jerry left his footprint on the sands of time as a game changer in Ghana.

He explained that during his lifetime he spoke against the enslavement of Africans on several occasions through irregular migration.

“Regrettable JIFORM missed not meeting in person in Ghana having set up meeting to engage him January 2021 in Ghana during a proposed African media summit on migration. It is not how far for Jerry, but we can attest to how well he had served his people. Our prayers are with his family, Ghana and entire Africa at large”. He said.

JIFORM President also acknowledged the late Balarabe buried as an icon of progress and a nation builder, stating that both him and Rawlings were fallen heroes. 

“Balarabe was a man that stood for the common good of the society. He was committed to a united Nigeria beyond the rhetoric of others who played politics of tribalism and destruction.”

“Balarabe was a journalists’ delight that would never shy away from attending to media issues at any hour of the day” Ajibola added.

Adedayo Adelowo