TRIBUTE: Group Tribute for H. E. JERRY JOHN RAWLINGS, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA

"Jerry Rawlings was a visionary from a young age, a mover and shaker who redeemed Ghana from the chronic burden of corruption and raising the political standard to where President Kwame Nkrumah left off"....1976 Set, Med Sch. Graduates UI.

The 1976 set of medical graduates of the University of Ibadan Medical School mourn the tragic passing away today of His Excellency Jerry John Rawlings, National Statesman and former President of the Republic of Ghana. 

We honour Former President Rawlings for his exemplary service, his patriotism, honesty and the great courage manifested in his selfless service to his nation. 

Jerry Rawlings was a visionary from a young age, a mover and shaker who redeemed Ghana from the chronic burden of corruption and raising the political standard to where President Kwame Nkrumah left off. 

He was the only head of state that could walk into the marketplace or in traffic, mingling with his people without fear or security guards, because he knew he had done his very best for his country. 

Jerry Rawlings was a humble man with deep passion and convictions who excelled in leadership. 

He also had a passion for Nigeria. In his numerous messages  to Nigeria, he pleaded with us as a gifted giant with all its education and resources, to lead Africa and not to allow itself to be brought down by uneducated corrupt leaders and persisting old British colonial influences.  

Jerry Rawlings also had great respect for the power of education. His two main passions being aviation and healthcare, to the extent that his first daughter is a doctor as well as a pilot. 

His close friend in Nigeria was Captain Ibrahim Mshelia, the founder of WEST LINK airline, Nigeria, who also established the West African MISH Aviation Flying School in Accra, Ghana, the only flying school in West Africa. 

Through these two passions Jerry Rawlings also befriended and  closely mentored a prominent member of our medical school set Dr. Makanjuola Akindele Owolabi (MAO) who is an aviation medicine expert and the proprietor of MENDS Specialist Hospital & Aviation Medical Centre plus Mends Training Institute both in Kaduna, Nigeria. On MAO’s birthday in August 2017, President Rawlings personally attended the celebrations at the University of Ibadan Alumni Association event in Ado Ekiti.

We give gratitude and glory to God for the life of this great Son of Africa who along with President Nelson Mandela, God used to reset the definition of a great African leader. 

We pray for his eternal peaceful repose with God and send our condolences to his wife, his children and his family for their great loss.

Quotation

"It takes strong courage and a sense of character to embrace new ideas. The bravery of a man with respect to his ignorance can never be overlooked because, that ignorance if not admitted and removed, could become the burden into which a nation is plunged into poverty".

JJ Rawlings address to the University of Ibadan Alumni in 2017.