Renowned American civil rights activist and politician, Rev. Jesse Jackson has commended the leadership of the RPF Chairman, President Paul Kagame saying that he is a man of integrity who is respected all over Africa and beyond.
He was speaking on Monday in Rwamagana District at the commissioning of EKOCENTER, a socio-economic development facility set up by Coca-Cola Company which is set to benefit over 25,000 people in the area.
The solar-powered facility will offer services including a health centre, a telecommunication tower for 3G wi-fi-enabled internet access, purified water collection centre, mobile charging services, a retail store, and a well lit football field.
Rev Jackson, who is renowned for his activism against racial segregation against minorities, especially black people in his native United States, said that whenever Chairman Kagame speaks at the United Nations, the whole world are eager to listen to what he has to say.
“President Kagame’s work is visible here, he walks in the halls of the African Union and people take notice; he talks at the United Nations and all people want to listen to what he has to say.
“He is one of the most respected leaders in the whole world. We never take the quality of his leadership for granted…he is a man of great integrity and he has made this nation greater,” he said.
The event was also attended by the Chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company, Muhtar Kent, who also commended the development trajectory Rwanda, has taken.
“Rwandan is on the move, matching towards a very prosperous future and we at Coca Cola are proud to be part of it. In 2013, when I met the president Kagame in the US, we talked about this vision.. i am so honoured to make it happen in a short two years,” he said.
On his part, the RPF Chairman said that such initiatives were crucial, saying that such initiatives that change the lives of people should not be left to government, adding that the private sector has much to gain from a healthy and prosperous population.
“By working together with other companies, as well as government, civil society, and most importantly citizens themselves, a win-win situation is created, for everyone involved. The significance of such partnerships goes beyond a single company, or country,” said the RPF Chairman.