About 39 years later, the late Krees Imodibe of The Guardian Newspaper was yesterday presented with a posthumous award by the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Commission).

Both Imodibe and Tayo Awotusin of The Champion Newspaper, who were killed while covering the Liberian Civil War, were recognised for paying the supreme sacrifice in service for humanity.

Also honoured were the Commanders of ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) for their commitment to restoring peace and unity in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea-Bissau.

They include Lt.-Gen. Arnold Quainoo, Maj.- Gen. Tunji Olurin, Maj.-Gen. Joshua Dogonyaro, Maj.-Gen. Rufus Kupolati, Maj.- Gen. Ishaya Bakut, and Maj.-Gen. John Shagaya.

Others are Maj.-Gen. John Mark Inienger, Maj.-Gen. Victor Samuel Leonard Malu, Maj.-Gen. Timothy Shelpidi, Maj.-Gen. Felix Agho Mujakperuo, Brig.-General Lamin Mangasouba, Gen. Cheick Oumar Diarra, Gen. Seth Obeng, and Brig-Gen Maxwell Khobe

They were honoured in Abuja at the official launch of the book on ECOWAS peacebuilding interventions titled ‘Fighting Bushfires: ECOWAS and Peace-making in West Africa -The Experience and Learning Curves’.

Put together by Prof. Amadu Sesay, the over 400-page book documented events of the wars in the three countries.

Speaking at the occasion, Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa, disclosed that he lost ten of his course mates from the Nigerian Defence Academy to the Liberia war.

To ensure that such sacrifices were not in vain, Musa urged the region and Africa continent at large to unite.

He said: “Nigeria has always understood that the security of our country is closely connected to the stability of our neighbours. Since the establishment of ECOWAS, Nigeria has consistently contributed troops, resources and political support to the community’s efforts to prevent and manage conflict in our region.”