When you read the heading, "No winner for Mo Ibrahim Sh500m
prize for African leadership" you might be tempted to ask such small questions as:
"But why?"
"What does this imply?"
"Anyway, Does it Matter?"
 |
| Mo Ibrahim, the chairman of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation. AFP PHOTO | CARL COURT |
Reading the story further, you come across the following response:
It means that recently retired presidents like Jakaya Kikwete of
Tanzania, Armando Guebuza of Mozambique and Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria,
failed to prove they had left a legacy worth rewarding.
The full story goes:
The Mo Ibrahim Foundation says
there is no suitable winner, again, for its Africa annual leadership excellence
awards.
On Thursday, the foundation said
none of the former African heads of State and government met the criteria for the
2015 Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership.
It means that recently retired
presidents like Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, Armando Guebuza of Mozambique and
Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria, failed to prove they had left a legacy worth
rewarding.
Set up by Sudanese-British tycoon
Mo Ibrahim in 2006, the Ibrahim Prize is given based on the review of a special
committee that includes former diplomats, Nobel laureates, business leaders and
democracy activists.
This year’s prize committee was
chaired by former Tanzania prime minister Salim Ahmed Salim.
The criteria used by the
committee to select a winner include the requirement that all eligible
contenders be former heads of State or government who left office in the
previous three years.
The leaders should have been
democratically elected, served their constitutionally allowed terms and
demonstrated exceptional leadership.
In a statement Thursday, Mr
Ibrahim, the chairman of the foundation, said he agrees with the verdict of the
committee.
“The Board respects the decision
of the independent prize committee. When we launched the prize ten years ago,
we deliberately set a very high bar.
“We want the prize to shine a
spotlight on outstanding leadership to provide role models right across
society, as well as supporting Laureates to continue to serve the continent by
sharing their wisdom and experience,” he said.
Since 2006, the Ibrahim Prize has
been awarded four times.
HUMILITY
The last winner, for the 2014
edition, was former Namibia President Hifikepunye Pohamba, whom Dr Salim
described then as having “demonstrated sound and wise leadership" while
maintaining "his humility throughout his Presidency.”
Other winners include former Cape
Verde President Pedro Pires (2011), President Festus Mogae of Botswana (2008)
and President Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique (2007). Nelson Mandela was the
inaugural Honorary Laureate in 2007.
There were no winners in 2009,
2010, 2012 and 2013.
But the foundation said on
Thursday that the lack of winners last year is more indicative of the tough
eligibility conditions rather than a sign of poor leadership on the continent.
“The decision by the prize
committee is a reflection of the exceptionally high bar set for potential
winners rather than any disappointment with the overall quality of leadership
on our continent.
“The tough criteria were
deliberately set to ensure only the most outstanding would be considered,” said
Sophie Masipa, head of communication at the foundation.
Winners of the award receive
about $5 million (Sh500 million) spread over a decade and a further $200,000
annually for the rest of their lives.
