Powell, 84, was formerly Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He died from COVID-19 complications.
Obasanjo said as President, he discovered that Powell, in a unique way, understood the continent of Africa.
He described Powell as a “trusted colleague and comrade-in-arm, whose closeness as an African-American with the mother Africa assisted in the growth of the continent”.
In a statement on Monday, the African Union senior envoy recalled that Powell’s tenure marked a significant departure from the traditional relations between Africa and the US.
“He was Secretary of State under the administration of President George W. Bush, Jnr, part of the time I was President of Nigeria.
“He was not just an African-American, he has understood Africa. That is what I found in him when he was Secretary of State.
“With him, among others, I have always seen advantage in the closeness of the African-Americans with the mother Africa. )
“It is mutually good and beneficial for the Africans at home and for our brothers and sisters in diaspora in the US, Caribbean or Southern America.
“I cherished our relationship for the good of humanity and especially for the good of our race, the most abused, despised and disregarded in modern history”, he noted.
Obasanjo said the world would miss Powell’s legacies and hope they inspire many to reach the highest points of their productive, political and creative abilities.
The former Nigeria leader prayed that God will give the deceased soul peace and rest.
