Rwanda’s highest international award given to St John Seigneur

The Seigneur of St John, who is also the Ambassador at Large for Rwanda, flew to the country last week to receive his award from President Paul Kagame.

Mr Dick, who earlier this year opened the grounds of his manor to host the Jersey Evening Post’s Pride of Jersey Awards, has been working with Mr Kagame for the past 20 years to help the tiny African nation develop through his vast network of international business connections. From cattle-breeding programmes to high-speed internet connections, the Canadian-born multi-millionaire businessman described what he had achieved in Rwanda as his ‘crowning achievement’.

While being presented with the award in the country’s capital, Kigali, last week, Mr Dick was described as a ‘bridge-builder to opportunity’, who ‘continues to contribute to the progress’ of the land-locked African country.

In announcing him as the recipient of the Order of Outstanding Friendship, Lt Alexander Abia said: ‘For over 50 years he has been a key player in some of the world’s most successful technology, manufacturing, and transportation companies.

‘When Rwanda first sought to connect with global business leaders, he took the time to listen and to act. This led directly to many of our most fruitful and productive investment relationships.

‘By representing Rwanda internationally, he continues to contribute to the progress of our country, which he proudly calls his own.

‘On behalf of a grateful nation, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Rwanda hereby bestows the Order of Outstanding Friendship, Igihango, on Mr John Dick.’

After receiving his golden medal bearing the Rwandan coat of arms and a star, as well as a certificate signed by Mr Kagame, Mr Dick, who was joined at the ceremony by his wife Mickey, as well as his son and grandchildren from California, said: ‘It has been such a pleasure and a privilege to be involved in what’s been happening in Rwanda. It’s been really, in a sense, the crowning achievement of our lives to be involved here and we hope that the relationship will continue. We are involved in a couple of fairly major projects right now that I think will make a huge difference to Rwanda in the future and it’s an absolute privilege to receive this honour.’

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Kagame said: ‘We deem each of them to have a special bond with our country, because of specific actions that could only be taken by someone with deep love and attachment and dedication to the people of Rwanda. In the context of Rwanda’s dramatic journey, the concrete acts of solidarity have particular meaning.

‘Through the toughest times, where circumstances dictated that we had to rely on ourselves to survive, Rwanda was never totally alone.

‘The purpose of our various National Orders is to honour extraordinary contributions to our national life. Doing so serves to inspire our young people to conduct their lives with the highest principles and ambitions. This ceremony will therefore be a regular occurrence, allowing us in due course to recognise the many others whose achievements fortify our country.’

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