Francis Okello: Aga Khan’s legacy will live forever

“I've had the privilege of working with His Highness the Aga Khan in various capacities within the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) for many years. 

With his passing on, the world has lost an eminent global leader whose contributions to multifaceted human development speaks volumes. 

Through the development agencies, namely the Aga Khan Development Network and the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development, which he founded, His Highness touched many lives, especially in the developing world, including Africa, in the fields of education, health, media, financial services, hospitality and tourism, manufacturing and industries, energy, infrastructure and culture. 

My first face-to-face meeting with His Highness was in 1978, when as a young executive at the Diamond Trust Bank, I was invited to attend a meeting with him in Paris.

Other meetings would follow in my various capacities within the Aga Khan Development Network and the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development family, including my professional engagements at Nation Media Group, Serena Group of Hotels, Resorts and Camps, Industrial Promotion Services and the Aga Khan University, East Africa.

Out of these interactions, I have formed lasting impressions of His Highness.  My reflections on these interactions tell a story of a leader who was compassionate, committed to pursuit of excellence, had unwavering belief in holistic human development, had meticulous preparations for meetings and other forms of engagement, had unique clarity of thought and expression, as well as the ability to break down complex issues.

He had deep business knowledge and appreciation for interdisciplinary approach to problem solving. He was modest and respectful of the views of others. He had a non-intimidating persona despite his eminence.

He had a firm belief in managing and leading businesses with a purpose.  He placed a premium on sustainable development and business ethics. Clearly, we are talking of a global leader with a rich legacy. A legacy of dedicated service to humanity, enduring and impactful contribution to human development. A leader that exemplifies that leadership is a virtue in action and a platform to render service.

I have a personal sense of loss because of the relationships that I developed with His Highness out of these engagements.

It was a great privilege to have had the rare opportunity to work under him that closely in various capacities and for many years.

We will greatly miss his wisdom, guidance in the turbulent storms of leadership.

May his legacy live forever and may his legacy continue to guide our actions in our daily lives.  May his warm and beautiful soul rest in eternal peace. 

In terms of leadership, I believe that His Highness' legacy will live forever because he deliberately institutionalised his leadership by founding the Aga Khan Development Network and the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development

 We have a leader that was futuristic and was anticipating a situation where he would not be on the scene.

 But recognising the need for continuity, these institutions were established and they have been structured in a manner that I believe will carry forward his legacy and will continue to promote the development philosophy that he so sincerely believed in."

Francis Okello is a former board member of the Nation Media Group

Interview transcribed by Daniel Ogetta