President Hakainde Hichilema has conferred the former presidents of Nigeria, Liberia and Sierra Leone with Zambia highest civilian honour for their “contribution to the growth of democracy” in Africa.
Hichilema conferred former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo, ex-Liberian president Ellen Sirleaf Johnson and former Sierra Leonean leader Ernest Bai Koroma with The Order of The Eagle of Zambia 1st Division during a special investiture ceremony at State House on Thursday.
According to Hichilema, the former heads of state have distinguished themselves in their own countries, on the African continent and beyond “for their unrelenting efforts to establish and promote democracy and good governance, as a precursor to improving livelihoods of their people and other Africans.”
Obasanjo welcomed the conferment of the award and pledged to work harder to promote the culture of democratic governance on the continent.
“Whatever we have done for Africa and for humanity to make you honour us, we assure you we will do more,” Obasanjo said during the ceremony.
JN/APA