THE Royal Commonwealth Society has appointed the General Overseer of The Citadel Global Community Church, Pastor Tunde Bakare, as the inaugural Chairman of the Advisory Council of the Africa Office.
In a letter, dated 15th July, 2020, signed by RCS Regional Coordinator, Africa, John Apea, the Commonwealth Society said Bakare’s “unwavering crusade against corruption”, among others, made him the right choice for the revered Queen Elizabeth’s appointment.
The RCS said, “Over the decades, we have been witnesses to your good deeds, which have consumed much of the ink flowing through writings in Africa and beyond; your unwavering crusade against corruption, your sincere love for Africa and your work as a respected Pastor, Statesman and Philanthropist, is unquestionable.
“To this end, we would be very delighted to have a man of your wisdom, experience, calibre and integrity to usher us into an interesting but dynamic era of race and international relations, development and cooperation. We are certain that, together, the Africa office will be able to better the lives of all Africans by delivering on the Commonwealth thematic areas of prosperity, sustainability, fairness and security.”
For over 150 years, the Royal Commonwealth Society had been a pillar of the Commonwealth Civil Society and has welcomed leaders from across the Commonwealth, including Ghana’s first Prime Minister, Kwame Nkrumah; Oliver Tambo, Thabo Mbeki, Chief Buthelesi, Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela.
Pastor Bakare, in his letter of acceptance, said he was highly honoured to be considered for the role, noting that the RCS had contributed immensely to fostering international cooperation and human development in an evolving global order.
He said, “As Africa seeks better strategic positioning in the dynamic 21st Century, with its complex and multisectoral challenges, I believe that the Commonwealth offers the continent a platform for collaborative progress.
“Over the years, I have teamed up with amazing individuals on diverse institutional platforms towards uplifting humanity. I am certain that this call to service will converge eminent Africans and lovers of Africa towards the laudable objectives of prosperity, sustainability, fairness and seciurity, as espoused by the Commonwealth.”
The Royal Commonwealth Society is a network of individuals and organisations committed to improving the lives and prospects of Commonwealth citizens across the world.
It champions the importance of literacy, equality and inclusion, the environment and connected communities across the Commonwealth’s 54 member nations.
The aim of the Commonwealth Service is to celebrate the unity, diversity, and linkages of the modern Commonwealth and to foster greater understanding of the Commonwealth’s achievements and role, particularly amongst its young people.
The Service takes place in the presence of some 2,000 guests including Her Majesty, The Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Members of The Royal Family, Commonwealth and UK diplomatic representatives and members of the public, in addition to over 700 young people from across the United Kingdom.
