Radio One owner Cathy Hughes with Nelson Mandela. She has issued a statement in response to his passing., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.
Passage of a true African elder statesman
Thursday, 12 December 2013 00:00
Written by Gbemiga Olakunle
Nigerian Guardian
SIR: When death of the great icon and South-African freedom fighter, Dr. Nelson Mandela filtered into the social media on Thursday, December 5, 2013, it was received with mixed feelings. The whole world felt a sense of great loss of a true African Statesman and a role model who stood for freedom and equality even at his own peril.
Retired Archbishop Desmond Tutu and ally of the late first black South African President said “he transcended race and class in his personal actions, through his warmth and through his willingness to listen and to empathize with others. Since the passage of this illustrious son of Africa and a world leader, encomiums have been pouring in torrents from other world leaders and celebrities including Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton of United States of America.
There are lessons to be drawn and learnt from the world leaders’ reactions that have been trailing the passage of this unique role model in the good virtues of patience, long suffering and forgiveness. Even Nigerian children adore him. One of them said
“Nigeria needs a man like him. My mum always talks about him. I wish Nigeria could have men like him” (Blessing Adepoju,12 years old). Also Emmanuel Obi, a 17 year-old boy remarked “I hope people would emulate his courage. He was the greatest President South Africa ever had. He fought for what he believed in and paid the price….”
At a time when Nigeria is being rocked by security and economical challenges that are still threatening her survival, can half of these tributes paid on Nelson Mandela be said of our Nigerian leaders (past and present) when their respective times come to answer the call to the great beyond? What can their immediate constituencies say about them at their passages? Nigeria’s political landscape is filled with self-serving politicians with very few elder statesmen. We hope our leaders will learn some vital lessons on Dr. Mandela’s death with resolve to bring good governance to the people of Nigeria Peradventure, Nigerians may miss them and their good works at their passage.
Gbemiga Olakunle,
General Secretary,
National Prayer Movement.
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