Veteran Gambian politician Sedia Jatta has received the prestigious African Heroes Award on Saturday in Ohio, United States of America.

The African Hero’s Award is given by OHIO African Students’ Union to an African or Africanist who contributes to the development and advancement of both the African continent and people of African descent, either on the continent or in the diaspora.

Previous recipients include notable African leaders including Nelson Mandela and UN Deputy Secretary General Amina Jane Mohammed. 

The prestigious tradition dated back in 1991 when Nelson Mandela of South Africa was honoured with the inaugural award.

“The leadership of PDOIS is acknowledged by the world for their wisdom, knowledge, integrity, vision, and honour even though Gambians do value what they possess. As the saying goes, a cow will not know the value of its tail until it’s cut off,” PDOIS party said in a statement.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba