Highlights of the 1991 Africa Prize

The fifth annual Africa Prize for Leadership achieved many new milestones in its mission of empowering and engendering bold, creative and innovative leadership for the sustainable end of hunger. For the first time, two women were named as co-laureates, and received their awards from a new Jury Chairman in a new venue.

The 1991 laureates were Prof. Wangari Maathai, founder of the Green Belt Movement of Kenya, and Maryam Babangida, founder of the Better Life Program in Nigeria.

New leadership on the International Jury

The former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Dr. Chester A. Crocker, assumed the chairmanship of the international jury, following in the illustrious footsteps of Robert McNamara and Bradford Morse.

During his tenure with the U.S. Department of State between 1981 and 1989, Dr. Crocker developed the strategy and led the diplomacy that produced the treaties signed by Angola, Cuba and South Africa in 1988. These agreements resulted in Namibia's independence and the withdrawal of foreign forces from Namibia and Angola, and paved the way for the 1991 Angolan peace accords between the government and its opposition.

Dr. Crocker's professional experience with Africa began in 1965 as an editor at Africa Report magazine, followed by three years on the staff of the National Security Council. In 1972, he joined Georgetown University, where he directed their master's program in foreign service, and in 1976 he founded the African Studies Program at the University's Center for Strategic and International Studies. Dr. Crocker is a sought-after lecturer, writer and consultant, and is presently the Landegger Distinguished Research Professor of International Affairs at Georgetown. He is currently completing a book on peace-making in Africa.

In addition to a new chairman, two new members joined the International Jury: Dr. Nafis Sadik, Executive Director of the UN Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA), and H.E. Salim A. Salim, the new Secretary-General of the Organisation of African Unity.

Global Satellite Broadcast from Lagos

For the fourth consecutive year, The Hunger Project utilized satellite technology to announce the winner of the Africa Prize in a globally-broadcast teleconference. The announcement was made from UN headquarters in New York and from Lagos, Nigeria.

Audiences gathered in a number of cities around the world, including London; Stockholm; Geneva; Zurich; Bonn; Wellington and Auckland, New Zealand; Tokyo; and Sydney and Warragul, Australia. In Canada events were held in six cities and in the U.S. in 24 cities.

The vice president of Nigeria, Vice-Admiral Augustus Aikhomu, delivered a statement on behalf of the president, H.E. General Ibrahim Babangida. He noted:

The theme you have chosen for this year's award -- empowering people to work together -- is well thought out and most appropriate given the gravity of the food crisis in the African continent. . . . A sustainable end to hunger could in the final analysis only be achieved when democracy, social stability and economic progress are accorded priority in our respective societies.

Award Ceremony in London

Following four successful years in New York, it was decided to begin moving the venue of the annual award ceremony to other global capital cities so as to expand the reach and impact of the Prize. London was chosen, as a great deal of interest in the Africa Prize had been expressed there following a special Africa Prize address given in 1990 by President Robert G. Mugabe.

The 1991 Africa Prize Award Ceremony was held on 19 September at the historic Church House Conference Centre adjoining West Minister Abbey. The building housed the British Parliament during World War II and preparatory meetings for the formulation of the United Nations took place there as well.

Joan Holmes spoke to the need for African leaders to "increase investment in human resources; increase agricultural production and productivity; promote economic growth, while emphasizing measures that reduce poverty and assure a sustainable environment; empower the role of women in all sectors of society; and encourage participation at the grassroots level. To achieve this profound economic and social transformation demands extraordinary leadership at all levels of society."

H.E. Sir Shridath Ramphal, chair of the Africa Prize Honorary Committee and former secretary-general of the Commonwealth, chaired the event. In his opening remarks, he noted:

Clearly, a great leader must have vision, wisdom, integrity, courage, initiative and an unyielding commitment to the well-being of the people. These qualities, however, are not sufficient. Most important, a leader must lead -- he or she must successfully empower people to work together to be the agents for the economic and social transformation of the continent.

The ceremony was attended by more than 900 people, including a delegation of 150 people from Lagos, Nigeria, who traveled to the ceremony to pay tribute to their first lady. Also in attendance were members of parliament of the United Kingdom; diplomats representing nations of Africa, Europe, Japan, India, Latin America and Australia; Hunger Project representatives from 10 countries; and many representatives of women's organizations and environmental groups.