FORMER president Dr Goodluck Jonathan has missed out on the prestigious Mo Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership despite avoiding mayhem during the last presidential elections by conceding defeat due to concerns about corruption under his watch.
Awarded annually, the prestigious $5m Mo Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership is given to any former head of state who met certain international standards during his tenure in office. Yesterday, however, the organisers said that no former African leader met the requirements for the 2015 version of the award following a meeting of the independent prize committee chaired by Dr Salim Ahmed Salim.
Instituted in 2006 by Sudanese telecoms entrepreneur, Mo Ibrahim, the prize rewards former African leaders who demonstrated sterling qualities while in office, served their constitutionally mandated term and demonstrated exceptional leadership. A winner enjoys $5m over 10 years and another $200,000 yearly for life and can also ask for another $200,000 for good causes he or she supports.
A foundation spokesman said: “The prize recognises and celebrates African executive leaders who, under challenging circumstances, have developed their countries and strengthened democracy and human rights for the shared benefit of their people, paving the way for sustainable and equitable prosperity. The award is also a standard for excellence in leadership in Africa, and not a first prize, so there is not necessarily a Laureate every year.”
So far, only the former presidents of Mozambique Joaquim Chissano, Botswana’s Festus Mogae, Namibia’s Hifikepunye Pohamba and Pedro Piers of Cape Verde have clinched the award. Former South African President Nelson Mandela was awarded an honorary prize in 2007.
Although, Dr Jonathan seems to have met the prize's criteria which includes being a former African executive head of state or government who left office in the last three years and demonstrated exceptional leadership, it is unclear why he was not given it. Allegations of massive corruption under his administration presently being investigated and prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission may have cost Dr Jonathan the prize.
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