Obasanjo tribute in New York draws Okonjo-Iweala, Sirleaf, Mottley, Dangote, Amina Mohammed and other African leaders and business icons.
A high-powered Obasanjo tribute in New York brought together prominent African leaders, business figures and global personalities to honour former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and reflect on his enduring legacy.
The gathering, organised by Chinelo Anohu, CEO of Mutandis Africa, featured tributes from former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, according to World Trade Organisation Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who shared details of the event on her X handle. The Sun independently reported the gathering and confirmed several of the personalities in attendance.
Describing the occasion, Okonjo-Iweala called it “a glorious night of tributes” to Obasanjo, whose political and diplomatic career has extended from Nigeria’s military leadership to two terms as an elected president and subsequent continental and international engagements.
Okonjo-Iweala also revealed her personal participation, saying: “I was honoured to give the opening set of tributes”, before other distinguished guests took turns to celebrate the former Nigerian leader’s contribution and legacy.
Among those identified in connection with the gathering were Sirleaf, Mottley, business magnate Aliko Dangote, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II, Afreximbank President George Elombi and Heirs Holdings Chairman Tony Elumelu.
Okonjo-Iweala further noted that “many luminaries gathered there”, highlighting the broad representation of political, business and international development leadership at the New York gathering.
Her post also mentioned Makhtar Diop, Managing Director of the World Bank and Vice President of the International Finance Corporation, as well as Seplat Energy founder Austin Avuru, among others, underscoring the range of African and international figures associated with the occasion.
The event came amid a busy week of high-level African engagements in New York around the 81st United Nations General Assembly. Obasanjo, Sirleaf, Mottley and Dangote were also listed among participants or speakers at high-level discussions taking place around the Accra Reset during the UNGA period.
Concluding her post, Okonjo-Iweala congratulated the organiser, Chinelo Anohu, describing it as “a well-attended event” as the distinguished gathering paid tribute to Obasanjo and his place in Nigeria’s and Africa’s public life.
Olusegun Obasanjo, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Chinelo Anohu, New York, African leaders, Mia Mottley
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