Former President, Goodluck Jonathan has reacted to the death of General Colin Powell, a former United States Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Recall that Powell died on Monday at the age of 84.
Jonathan, in a tribute he personally signed in Abuja on Monday, described Powell as a great leader and a famous US public servant, who left indelible and solid footprints in the sands of time.
He disclosed that Powell’s stellar military career paved the way for other African-Americans to reach for the top.
According to him, Powell articulated a new paradigm for engaging in military action.
Jonathan said, “Until the election of President Barack Obama in 2008, Colin Powell was the highest ranking African American to have served in the public sector of the United States.
“In that capacity, he served as a beacon of hope and was a pride of the Black Race.
“His articulation of the Powell Doctrine gave the United States, and the world at large, a new paradigm for engaging in military action with honour and decorum.
“As Secretary of State, he was known for his tactful management of America’s foreign relations, of which he extended a right hand of fellowship to the Yar’adua administration when I was vice president.”
The former President said that Powell’s death at 84, after a long useful and fulfilled life, was mourned by him and his family and the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation.
Jonathan said that Powell left solid and indelible footprints in the sands of time, and would be greatly missed.
He added, “our prayers are with his family at this trying time for them.”
