At the first-ever African Heritage Concert and Awards on Saturday in Kigali, Rwanda, former Nigerian president, Goodluck Jonathan, and the executive director of Connected Development, Hamzat Lawal, among other significant African individuals and leaders, received recognition.

The event, according to the organisers, Heritage Times HT, was planned to honour and celebrate African greats who have excelled in their various fields of endeavour and have had a lasting influence on the world by improving perceptions of Africa.

Mr Jonathan, while delivering his acceptance speech after receiving the African Democracy and Peace Icon Award, appealed to African leaders who are privileged to hold public offices to become servants of the people, and not turn themselves into the “bosses of the people”.

“When you are called the executive president, our duty is to run our country properly, not to dehumanise human beings and make their lives difficult. What you should think is when you leave office, what will the world remember you for? Will the world remember you for killing people? Will the world remember you for jailing people, or will the world remember you for destroying their systems?

“What people will remember you for is what should guide our decisions, and I believe if every leader should begin to think that when you leave office, one day you will be remembered one way or the other, positively or negatively,” Jonathan declared.

Similarly, Vice President of the Republic of Liberia, Jewel Howard-Taylor, who was conferred with the African Humanitarian Award, declared that honouring the “best and brightest” minds in Africa is crucial for navigating the future of the continent, especially as it concerns leadership.

Seretse Khama, the former President of Botswana who bagged the African Philanthropist Award, harped on the urgent need for African leaders to do the right thing and develop the continent. While commending HT for putting together the event, he also noted that the future of Africa remains bright and great despite seeming challenges.

On his part, Patrick Lumumba who picked up the Africa Advancement Award, worried that the African continent is in a crisis mode, and that if African leaders are not careful, the “continent will be eaten for lunch once again,” he added.

Mr Lawal, also a founder of Follow the Money, an African-based organisation achieving Sustainable Development Goals, dedicated his award to his mother.

He was honoured with the African Humanitarian Award.

His words: “I dedicate this award to my mother, who struggled to get educated, but because of her culture and religious norms, she was stopped from going to school.”

Earlier in his opening remarks, Chairman of Heritage Times HT, Moses Siasia, noted that the choice of Rwanda as the venue for the event was strategic, given the country’s front role is setting the pace for growth and sustainable development in Africa.

While retrospecting on the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, he advocated for unity and peace across Africa, adding that the continent has a prestigious place on the world stage.

He added that Africa lacks inspirational leaders, but expressed hope that the awards and special recognition are one of the surest ways in which mentors will be created.