ABUJA (The Southern African Times) – The former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo has said that Africa will miss the late former United States Secretary of State, Gen. Colin Powell.
This was contained in a statement by the former President’s Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, which described Powell as someone who understood Africa during his lifetime and would be remembered for his legacy and closeness to the continent.
He also stressed that Powell’s “death is a great loss not only to his immediate family and to the United States of America but also to the entire world.”
The statement read, “He was Secretary of State under the administration of President George W. Bush, Jnr, part of the time I was President of Nigeria. He was not just an African-American, he was an African-American who understood Africa. That is what I found in him when he was Secretary of State.
“Though the world, particularly Africa, would miss him, his legacies would continue to inspire many to reach the highest points of their productive, political and creative abilities. May God grant his soul perfect peace and rest.”
Obasanjo also commented on the relationship he had with Powell, who was the first black Secretary of State, describing him as a trusted colleague.
“I cherished our relationship for the good of humanity in general and especially for the good of our race which collectively is the most abused, despised and disregarded race in modern history. He was indeed a trusted colleague and Comrade-in-Arm,” the former President said.
