"I commend this vision which is a laudable initiative to acknowledge statesmanship and purposeful leadership.

"The African continent has for too long been characterized as the Dark Continent of the world ostensibly because of the inability of our leaders, past and present, to tackle the various challenges that confront our People. This project of rewarding respect for constitutionality would support all earlier efforts in spurring leadership to greater heights in the process of alleviating poverty and diseases, and ensuring much needed development.

"On behalf of the Commission and the Union, I wholeheartedly support, endorse and encourage your project, as it should help to encourage good governance, the rule of law, and the entrenchment of democracy with all its principles."