Madiba and Nigeria
The subject of the text is the state burial of Madiba Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s legendary elder statesman. The “Rainbow Nation” managed to arrange a prompt burial with over fifty Heads of State and hundreds of dignitaries in attendance without scandal. The text gives examples of ten headlines that would have appeared in newspapers if […]
The subject of the text is the state burial of Madiba Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s legendary elder statesman. The “Rainbow Nation” managed to arrange a prompt burial with over fifty Heads of State and hundreds of dignitaries in attendance without scandal. The text gives examples of ten headlines that would have appeared in newspapers if the burial was held in Nigeria.
1. “Federal Government inaugurates 50-man MABUCOM (Mandela Burial Committee).
2. MABUCOM submits 79 Billion Naira Budget.
3. Federal Character Commission investigates lopsided appointments in MABUCOM.
4. FEC awards 800 Million Naira National Stadium renovation contract.
5. FERMA to carry out emergency rehabilitation of road to Madiba’s village.
6. Ministry of Finance issues duty waivers for 100 Bullet proof vehicles for visiting dignitaries.
7. House of Reps approves N5 million burial attendance allowances for members. 8. Non release of funds hampers burial preparations.
8. Governor Amaechi refused entry to stadium to pay last respects.
9. Aircraft carrying coffin overshoots runway in Abuja.
10. EFCC to investigate $1.2 Billion Casket scandal! As sad as this commentary may be, the real lesson to be learnt from the life of Madiba isn’t the way and manner in which South Africa has overtaken Nigeria; it is the essence of the man himself.
There is a film titled “Long walk to Freedom” which is currently packing in audiences all over Europe and America. It’s about an African boy who grew up in the village herding cattle in the morning before going to school and eventually qualifying as a lawyer. He became involved in politics fighting a racist government which demeaned his people and was repeatedly arrested for seditious activities. Eventually convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for conspiracy to overthrow the State he served 27 years in prison before gaining freedom and becoming President. His tenure focused on dismantling the legacy of apartheid by tackling institutionalized racism, poverty, and inequality while fostering racial reconciliation and healing the wounds of division in the land. He voluntarily relinquished office although he was entitled to and indeed begged to serve a second term. Finally after leaving an indelible mark in the world he returned to be buried in his beloved village where he grew up. If the story was not true it would be impossible to imagine.
If the story was just a work of fiction no one would ever have dreamt of making such a film much less expecting it to be a success. But it is of course the true story of the life and times of Madiba Nelson Mandela. Perhaps the one distinguishing factor of the modern African leader is their pre-occupation with permanently feathering their nests. The curse of Africa is sit tight rulers who want to die in office enjoying the obscene luxury that they feel leaders are entitled to. Yet as Madiba has re-affirmed none of the great personalities in African political history is known for having made a fortune in office or even having been remotely concerned about providing for their welfare afterwards. It is very important that those holding political office bear in mind their days are numbered from the day they are sworn-in. It is important they learn to live a moderate lifestyle in public office which they can sustain when they rejoin mainstream society. Madiba was a private person who often concealed his emotions and confided in few people.
He lived an austere life refusing to drink alcohol or smoke. Renowned for a mischievous sense of humour and for being both stubborn and loyal, he was typically welcoming, friendly and appeared relaxed in conversation with everyone including political opponents. Constantly polite and courteous he always looked for the best in people and was attentive to all irrespective of their age or status. He was fond of laughing with children and servants because he said what really gave him pleasure was to see other people happy. He retired to live out his days in a bungalow. Madiba was an African Prince and African Traditionalist in every true sense of the word. His nobility, decency, humility and genuine compassion didn’t come from conforming to any of the major religions it was inborn.
It came from the fact the he was unashamedly an African traditionalist. Born to the Thembu Royal family he was the only person ever known to address Queen Elizabeth II of England as “Elizabeth”. He knew his understood his dignity as an African prince and his place in the scheme of affairs. He was less interested in the rituals of religions than their philosophies. He confessed to have read both the Koran and Bible while in prison and said the books contained “a lot of interesting literature”. He claimed that Africans are by nature compassionate people and we must translate this into the way in which we govern our affairs. We must all irrespective of religion take a leaf from Madiba’s book and stop accentuating our differences. Caring for others is an essential part of all religions. Our nation stands at a crossroads and it is left to us to choose which path to take. Our leaders are full of “religiosity” attending churches and Mosques with much fanfare but have without exception failed to exhibit the vision, intellect, sincerity of purpose and compassion of their religion or practice self-discipline, temperance, morality, holiness, tolerance, restraint and mercy. In 2014 we must all join the struggle against evils of tyranny, injustice, indecency, bad governance, political persecution and abuse of power.
If we learn the lesson of the great life of Madiba we can develop a Nigeria in which every citizen regardless of faith, ethnicity, status, or political affiliation finds a common cause in our humanity so that every man is his brother’s keeper, leaders are compassionate, justice reigns, decency is rewarded, equity is enthroned and discrimination abolished. The way forward is for each of us to find the Madiba within us.