Chairman
A
distinguished soldier, author, statesman and leader, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo,
is the founder of the African Leadership Forum, and was appointed into
the commonwealth Eminent Persons Group upon his retirement from the Army
and handing-over the reign of government to democratic rule in 1979 after
serving variously as Commander of the victorious Third Marine Commando
which ensured victory for Nigeria during the civil war, federal commissioner
under the military government of general Yakubu Gowon (rtd) Chief of Staff,
Supreme Headquarters, under the administration of Late General Murtala
Muhammed and military Head of State after the death of General Murtala
Muhammed. He returned the country to Democratic governance in 1979 after
successful transition to Civil Rule. He was elected President of the Federal
Republic in 1999 and re-elected for a second term in 2003 which he completed
in 2007 and successfully handed over to another civilian administration.
Deputy Chairman
General
Babangida, Nigeria’s first military President from August 1985 to July
1993. Prior to this, he had served as Chief of Army Staff, General Officer
commanding and Brigade Commander, amongst several command positions. He
was a member of the Supreme Military Council under later General Murtala
Muhammed. He played prominent role in the creation of the Economic Community
Monitoring Group (ECOMOG now ECOWAS Mission in Liberia (ECOMIL) and ECOWAS
MISSION in Sierra Leone (ECOMISI). The introduction of ECOMOG has played
a vital role in peace, security, conflict resolution and regional security
with applause in its operations from the international community. General
Babangida was part of President Olusegun Obasanjo’s Special Envoy to Guinea
at the request of the ECOWAS and with the support of the Africa Union.
He successfully brokered peace in the West African country that saw to
the end of an industrial action embarked upon by the civil society.
Vice
Chairman
An
accomplished soldier, administrator and businessman, General Theophilus
Yakubu Danjuma began his military career in 1960. He attended the famous
Mons Officers Cadet training School, Aldershot, United Kingdom, US Special
Welfare Centre, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and the British Army Staff
College, Camberley, United Kingdom, amongst several others. He held several
command positions in the Army. General Danjuma was appointed Nigeria’s
Minister of Defence in 1999. He had earlier served as Chief of Army Staff
under Late General Murtala Muhammed among other command and service appointments
in the Army. General Danjuma is in private business and is Chairman and
Director in many reputable companies.
Vice Chairman
Mrs. Muhammed is a Dental Therapist by profession and the widow of Late
General Murtala Muhammed. She devotes most of her time to issues involving
environmental sustainability and preservation. She is the Founder and
Chief Executive of the Murtala Muhammed Memorial Botanical Gardens (3MBG)
located along the Lekki - Epe Expressway, a worthy monument she set up
to immortalize her late husband. She also co-ordinates the Green Belt
Movement of Nigeria which is currently involved in tree planting and other
poverty alleviation programmes in some parts of Lagos State. One of her
organisations, Naisha Gardens Limited, established the first and only
Botanic Gardens in FCT Abuja on behalf of the FCT Ministry. Mrs. Muhammed’s
commitment to the improvement of the environment has been recognised with
numerous wards and honours bestowed on her by distinguished organisations
and institutions in Nigeria. She also serves as a member of the Urban
Forum, which is primarily concerned, with improving urban centres in Nigeria.