Former Nigerian leader, Goodluck Jonathan, has expressed sadness over the death of former Zambian President and foremost Pan-Africanist Dr. Kenneth Kaunda who died on Thursday at the age of 97 years.
Jonathan in a message on his social media condoled with the government and people of the Republic of Zambia on the passing of their foremost founding father of modern day Zambia.
He said Dr. Kenneth Kaunda was significance to Africa’s struggle for liberation and also significant to him.
He said Kaunda was a specimen of the highest level of patriotism and a strong promoter of Pan-Africanism
“Not only was he of very great significance to Africa’s struggle for liberation he was also quite significant to me. I met him as a much younger politician and I am glad to have maintained a close relationship with the great sage.
“Kaunda was a specimen of the highest level of patriotism. He was also a strong promoter of Pan-Africanism, an idea that has reached maturity with the African Continental Free Trade Area, which itself was a product of the vision of men and women like Mr. Kaunda.
“His life was a pattern of good works, and his post Presidential work in providing relief for HIV/AIDS patients, as well as promoting practices and measures to curb the spread of the virus are remembered.
“During my time as the Governor of Bayelsa State in 2006, Pa Kaunda visited and spent two days with us in Yenagoa, because of our shared interest in the protection of our peoples against the scourge of HIV/AIDS
“I recall with relish the impressive pace displayed by Kaunda, then aged 82 years, at the symbolic Three Arms Walk for HIV/AIDS on the streets of Yenagoa.
“He visited me a couple of times when I was in office as President of Nigeria. We last saw each other in 2016 when I visited him while I was in Zambia as Head of African Union (AU) Election Observation Mission,” Jonathan said.
The former Nigeria leader said Kaunda will be greatly missed and fondly remembered across the entire continent.
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