Mr. Mogae, a former President of Botswana, had mandated Mr. Yusuf to travel to Banjul and make the presentation on his behalf, owing to travel challenges across many parts of the world in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In normal times, the award ceremonies are held in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, where the Daily Trust’s headquarters is located.
Announcing the decision to confer the 2020 Daily Trust African of the Year award on Ms Sawo, Mr. Yusuf said the Gambian lawyer won the award as a result of her “consistent work to end violence against girls and women, including child marriage and female genital mutilation”.