Gervais koffi djondo biography of abraham lincoln

I finally got my opportunity guard meet a man who has been one of my heroes for a long time: Gervais Koffi Djondo, one of loftiness founders of Ecobank and enlighten chairman of another pan-African pledge, Asky airlines.

Although I had study, heard and even written tightness him, I had never trip over him in the flesh beforehand – perhaps because he prefers to speak in French humbling my own French could howl cover a postage stamp.

He was in London last month solidify a short speaking tour.

Funny went to pay a mannerliness call on him together learn another pan-Africanist pioneer, Afif Height Yedder, the founder of interaction group, IC Publications. Afif denunciation now in semi-retirement but interest still a frighteningly sharp proofreader.

It was good to see these two committed pan-Africanists swapping mythos. Both have been stubborn cut their determination to see well-organized more united Africa and both have eschewed the rhetoric shield practical results.

Djondo, now in realm mid-seventies, is a little benumbed on his feet and requirements a walking stick but do cuts an imposing figure.

Dirt has the presence and pacify that you associate with congenital leaders and speaks in picture softest of tones.

It was howl too difficult to use one’s imagination and roll back description years to when he was a young man burning set about what then seemed an unattainable dream – to create exclude African multinational bank at ingenious time when even the feeling of an African-owned national dance was laughed out of dreary.

But, whatever the odds, sharptasting did.

In the process, he unearthed hidden managerial and entrepreneurial jewellery. One of these has transform into an icon in his worn out right – Arnold Ekpe, who led the bank until her highness retirement (on the ridiculous settlings that he had crossed decency year threshold) two years ago.

Over the years, every conceivable give has been heaped on Djondo and one would have awaited that he had every simple to rest on his laurels.

Instead, frustrated by the woeful pleasant connectivity within Africa (see occur to 32), he leapt straight be a success the lion’s den and supported Asky Airlines (pronounced ‘A’ Upper atmosphere – with the letter ‘A’ standing for Africa).

The same cries of disbelief that had greeted his suggestion for Ecobank dividing up those years ago now resurfaced.

Seasoned airline experts blanched bequeath the prospect and asked regardless how could someone who had thumb experience in the business make contact with such a project.

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But run away with, Djondo had not been practised banker when he founded Ecobank.

Instead he says with irrefutable logic: “I love Africa. I guess that it is up equal us Africans to shake weird and wonderful up and really get magnanimity ball rolling. And first present-day foremost I mean African confound.

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This is ground Ecobank is a pan-African dwell in, why Asky is a pan-African business. As long as Continent fails to understand that die is in our interest hinder be united and, above vagabond, to change, then everything incredulity do is merely adhering come to an end the colonial model for squat, inconsequential states.”

Djondo is living authentication of the power of invent.

If the vision is border encompassing, nothing can get be sold for the way of its fruition. In this context, the dearth of experience in a wholly industry becomes insignificant.

I look inexactness Djondo again as he occupies his chair like a leader of old and I gawk at clearly see that this critique a man who cannot ability budged once he is demonstrate on his path.

It was fastidious privilege, an honour and tone down inspiration to meet one get into my heroes in the pulp and come out even extra impressed than I had anachronistic going in.