President Goodluck Jonathan has received the Republic of Mali’s highest national honour in recognition of Nigeria’s immense contributions to restoration of peace in that country.
The Highest Cross of the National Honour was bestowed on him by the Interim President of Mali, Diongunda Traore at a brief ceremony held at the State House, Abuja.
The ceremony was attended by Governors Godswil Akpabio of Akwa Ibom and his Anambra counterpart, Peter Obi, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, Ministers and Presidential aides.
It will be recalled that the Federal Government promptly condemned the coup d’état in that country last year March and deployed troops to restore law and order.
Speaking, President Jonathan reiterated Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to the course of peacekeeping and peace building across Africa.
President Jonathan noted that the honour bestowed on him attest to the vibrant relationship existing between Nigeria and Mali, adding that it also “symbolizes evident acknowledgement and appreciation of Nigeria’s commitment and sacrifice to all efforts towards ensuring peace and stability in Mali.
While thanking the people and government of Mali for the honour, the President stressed the need for political stability across Africa for sustained economic growth.
His words, “Our unwavering commitment in the course of peacekeeping and peace building across the African continent is based on our conviction that Africa can only experience sustained growth if we overcome the divisive tendencies which stifles development and weakens political structures.
“I have no doubt that whatsoever that a politically stable Africa is will be a strong and prosperous Africa. As political leaders we owe it to our collective posterity to ensure that we bequeath to them that which will enable them maximize their creative potentials, favorably in the 21st century world. We must entrench and play by hallowed democratic values”.
In his remarks, President Traore, who spoke through interpreter, said the government and people of Mali will forever remain grateful to President Jonathan for Nigeria’s timely intervention and support during the country’s trying period.
He noted particularly that in spite of the security challenge confronting Nigeria, President Jonathan still considered it necessary to commit human and material resources to fighting the rebels and entrenching democracy in Mali.
President Traore expressed delight that the huge resources committed into ensuring peace and tranquility in Mali yielded positive fruits going by the success of the recently held Presidential election, saying it was in recognition of that his government deemed it fit to honour him.
He said, “I transmit the greetings and gratitude of the Malian people, greetings and gratitude of the Malian people to the Nigerian people who have shown themselves in solidarity in the Malian course.
“Greetings and gratitude to yourself President Goodluck Jonathan, for your engagement to our fights since the beginning of the security crisis, which has also been political and humanitarian which shook Mali from January 2012 and for nine months.
“We know how much your country suffers also from terrorism. We know how much Nigeria has needs of its troops, of her soldiers and all the soldiers at her disposal to ensure internal security against forces of evil, who have continued to attack innocent citizens. However, in spite of this internal need and pressure, your country has not hesitated to put at the disposal of Mali her soldiers and her logistics.
“Today, thanks to your solidarity beside your neigbours and the solidarity of ECOWAS and African Union as well as the international community, Mali has found peace again; Mali has found again her unity and her democracy which were compromised for long months.
“Moreover, on the personnel plan, astute mediator at Abuja and Ouagadougou and also at Bamako, you have spent without counting the cost, Mr. President. You have spent for Mali. Your efforts have born fruits, Mali has come back amongst you strong from the lessons learnt, proud of what it has been able to achieve and proud of what you have been able to do for peace.
“It is this Mali which has found itself again and which is very grateful which has sent me today Mr. President to tell you that it will never forget what you have done for it, to tell you of the light which you light in her way when everything was dark and sober.
“Thank you once more Mr. President and accept this modest gesture of our gratitude of the Malian nation which by my hand today we have come to confer to you the dignity of the highest cross of the national honour of Mali.
