CHICAGO—"Building Bridges-Building Hope," the theme of this year’s Rainbow/Push Coalition annual convention, had great meaning for Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar and Nigeria, which he moved from military to democratic rule.

"Democracy in Nigeria has kindled hope not only for Nigeria but indeed for the whole African continent as well as other Black people," said Mr. Abubakar, who spoke during an Aug. 7 luncheon. The former Nigerian head of state received the Rainbow Push Coalition’s International Peace and Justice Award.

Nigeria’s military ruled the country for 39 years—virtually for its entire history—and weakened its federal, civilian structure, said Gen. Abubakar. In 1998, the sudden deaths of Gen. Sani Abacha, then-Nigeria’s head of state, and later imprisoned businessman M.K. Abiola left Nigeria facing sanctions and on the brink of utter turmoil, Gen. Abubakar recalled. International sanctions were imposed on Nigeria following the execution of writer Ken Saro-Wiwa, annulment of 1994 elections and the jailing of Mr. Abiola, who was believed to have won those elections.

When Gen. Abubakar was chosen to head a ruling military council, he vowed to hold elections in less than a year. It seemed an almost impossible task, but in May the military man handed over power to civilian President Olusegun Obasanjo, who won recent elections.

Nigeria’s future lies in healing old wounds caused by ethnic rivalry, north-south tensions, religious antagonism, "the politicization of the armed forces," and divisive minority group politics, Gen. Abubakar said. Nigeria, like all of Africa, needs peace and partnerships to meet its great potential, he said.

"It’s morning time in Nigeria. It’s morning time in Liberia, morning time in Sierra Leone, morning time in West Africa," Rev. Jesse Jackson said in his salutary address before presenting Gen. Abubakar’s award.

Gen. Abubakar, said Mr. Jackson, has led Nigeria from a dark period to morning joy in his stewarding Nigeria to democracy.

Also in attendance at the luncheon were Khadijah Farrakhan, Nation of Islam First Lady; Leonard F. Muhammad, Nation of Islam Chief of Staff; Liberian First Lady Jewel Howard Taylor, who was a guest of Mother Farrakhan; Maria Farrakhan, Minister Farrakhan’s daughter; and Samaiyah Agbai. The Nation of Islam delegation was welcomed by Rev. Jackson received an ovation.

Akbar Muhammad, International Representative of the Nation of Islam, thanked Rev. Jackson, in brief luncheon remarks, for dedication to African progress.

Rev. Jackson’s work in Nigeria, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo is not given nearly as much media attention as his work in Kosovo or the Soviet Union, Min. Muhammad noted.

"God has produced a giant among us, Reverend Jackson, who can get involved in those three important countries in Africa and bring about balance," he said.

Min. Muhammad stressed the importance of the three countries—Nigeria being the most populous, Sudan having the greatest land mass, and the Congo being the wealthiest—to the Motherland’s future.

Gen. Abubakar "wanted to bring peace to Nigeria and make sure the people of Nigeria could be accepted by the world and that 120 million people—that is an important market that our world can attest to—not be isolated or marginalized.

"They must be accepted by the world and they must not be in a continual fight, they must not be in a combative mode all of the time. So, in 11 months, he broke Nigeria out of that," Min. Muhammad said.

Though considerable time of the convention was devoted to Africa, the national and local focus was not lost. The convention held at Chicago’s McCormick Place from August 4-8, was an impressive gathering of local and national leaders who debated and expressed concerns on issues relevant to Blacks and other people of color.

Rev. Jackson, the founder and president of the Rainbow/Push Coalition, led dialogues and workshops about the prison industrial complex, human rights, business and marketing, education, youth, and politics.