President Goodluck Jonathan and other world leaders on Sunday paid tribute to the late Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Meles Zenawi, saying Africa has lost one of its
?greatest sons.
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In his tribute, President Jonathan who described Zenawi’s death as a great loss not only to Ethiopia but to the entire African continent urged the government of Ethiopia to honour Zenawi through continued implementation of his programmes and follow the path of harmony and sustainable development which he had established in that country. ??
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Jonathan, who assured the people and the government of Ethiopia of Nigeria’s readiness to continue to support its development agenda, said the relationship between the two countries would continue to be strengthened. ? ?“Nigeria and Ethiopia will continue to strengthen the existing relations through our Bi-Commission, and will also pursue Africa ’s development agenda together.”?
Speaking at the funeral of the late leader in Addis Ababa, President ?Jacob Zuma of South Africa, praised Zenawi's legacy which was defined by the sprawling city that Addis Ababa had become, the stability that Ethiopia enjoys and its new-found ability to provide food for its people.
“With Prime Minister Zenawi at the helm, a generation of Ethiopians has seen their country emerge from hunger and destitution to be a fast growing economy. The policies of his party and government have delivered a sustained double digit economic growth rate. If this continues, his beloved Ethiopia will become a middle-income country.”
He said Zenawi's ideas were framed around the need to achieve social justice for his people and conquer poverty not just in Ethiopia but in all parts of Africa.?
“As African leaders we are proud of Prime Minister Zenawi and the leadership he provided on issues affecting the continent, around the globe. He took a leading role on Africa's negotiations on climate change, in peacemaking in Sudan and in the fight to bring stability back to Somalia,” Zuma added.
The President once again extended his condolences to the people and government of Ethiopia and Zenawi's family and friends.?
Also, President Boni Yayi of Benin said that Zenawi was a Pan-Africanist whose dedication and vision lifted the AU to greater heights, stressing??that “Zenawi supported peace and legality where they were affected especially in the Horn of Africa.?
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According to the President of the African Union,?Zenawi?assisted in the success of various negotiations such as the African Climate Change negotiation where he defended the interest of Africa.
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He continued that the late Zenawi contributed immensely in putting Africa in the right place and ensured rapid economic development in Ethiopia . ??
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In her condolence, Susan Rice , the U.S. Permanent Representative to the UN, described Zenawi as “talented leader who had many things to offer.
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“He was selfless, fearless and dedicated to his work and family. He was a world class mind who taught himself and many others so
much. He was not only a good negotiator, but a wise leader who disagree based on the vision for his people and his country.”
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“whenever we disagree with Zenawi on Economy, democracy, human rights, regional security or any other issue, you will find that his disagreement was not based on ideology, but for his vision for the country he so much loved.’’
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Rice said that Zenawi was ambitious, but not for himself, he was a son of Ethiopia and a father of its re-birth who conquered poverty, hunger and fought against tyranny.
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“He transformed from gorilla to a statesman. His untimely death will remain a big loss to Africa and the world.”
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In his reactions, President Yoweri Musaveni of Uganda ?said the problem of Africa has not been the lack of resources, but the lack of visionary leaders like Zenawi, adding that ?the power generation in Ethiopia when Zenawi took over power 20 years ago was 300 megawatts “but he raised it to 2,100 megawatts. ??
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“His vision was to generate 10,000 megawatts for Ethiopia by 2015 after the completion of the Renaissance Dam currently under construction.” ? The ugandan leader said he believed that Zenawi’s death at 57 must have been as a result of too much stress from his very tight schedule. ??
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President Paul Kagame of Rwanda said the late Prime Minister had a life of imminence, courage and enterprise which he used to advance the life of his fellow Ethiopians, Africans and beyond. ?
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“He was a man of rear talent and selflessness that we all feel the magnitude he has left behind. Zenawi was an unassuming, promising and a formidable man who finds solutions to complex situations’’, Kagame said.