For a long time, Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba, popularly known as PLO, has been seen as a recognised Pan-African icon leading in various national and continental forums.
Tanzania President John Pombe Magufuli called on the professor for advice on issues affecting the region.
In a video seen by Kenyans.co.ke, Lumumba narrated how the urgent meeting went down.
“President John Magufuli called me and invited me to Tanzania to have a discussion on various matters.
“He is the first president in this continent to invite me on short notice to have a conversation about the African continent,” remarked Lumumba.
He described Magufuli as a great leader who had his country at heart and who was on the way to bringing major changes in the socialist nation.
“What amazes me is the president’s ability to explain in detail many things that have happened in the fifth administration of Tanzania.
“We have spoken about what has happened in the infrastructure, education, health and international relations,” he spoke.
Lumumba also lauded Magufuli for being close to the people transforming Tanzania.
“What has impressed me is that the president has the pulse for the nation. He knows what is happening in detail in Mwanza, Chalinze and every part of the country.
“When he assumed office, there were 20,000 ghost workers, 14,000 unqualified workers. Once he removed these people, the money was used on better projects. History is a fair judge, it helps things speak for their doer,” added Lumumba.
Speaking at a mining forum in Dar es Salaam on Saturday, February 22, he stated that Africa needed to have a common perspective when negotiating with investors in the mining sector.
The professor also indicated that Africa needed conditions that would prevent investors from regarding some countries as having special investment conditions that were more convenient from those in other countries.
"When Acacia (Tanzanian mining firm) was being asked to pay back the tax by the Tanzanian government, the international community was telling Tanzania that 'you are now creating an environment that is hostile to investors'," remarked Lumumba as quoted by The East African.
