December 11, 2013
Mandela's Message To Nigerian Leaders.
“YOU know I am
not very happy with Nigeria. I have made that very clear on many
occasions. Yes, Nigeria stood by us more than any nation, but you let
yourselves down, and Africa and the black race very badly.
Your leaders
have no respect for their people. They believe that their personal
interests are the interests of the people. They take people’s resources
and turn it into personal wealth. There is a level of poverty in Nigeria
that should be unacceptable. I cannot understand why Nigerians are not
more angry than they are.
“What do young
Nigerians think about your leaders and their country and Africa? Do you
teach them history? Do you have lessons on how your past leaders stood
by us and gave us large amounts of money? You know I hear from Angolans
and Mozambicans and Zimbabweans how your people opened their hearts and
their homes to them. I was in prison then, but we know how your leaders
punished western companies who supported Apartheid.
“What about the
corruption and the crimes? Your elections are like wars. Now we hear
that you cannot be president in Nigeria unless you are Muslim or
Christian. Some people tell me your country may break up. Please don’t
let it happen.
“Let me tell
you what I think you need to do. You should encourage leaders to emerge
who will not confuse public office with sources of making personal
wealth. Corrupt people do not make good leaders. Then you have to spend a
lot of your resources for education.
Educate
children of the poor, so that they can get out of poverty. Poverty does
not breed confidence. Only confident people can bring changes. Poor,
uneducated people can also bring change, but it will be hijacked by the
educated and the wealthy...give young Nigerians good education. Teach
them the value of hard work and sacrifice, and discourage them from
crimes which are destroying your image as a good people.”
(Excerpts taken from a 2007 interview with Mandela conducted by Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed).Tribune
Posted by Mabel Dufegha
I love Mandela, but this same message should also apply to the current south African leaders.corruption, poverty, high crime rate, etc is still very much part of south Africa.
ReplyDeleteYes i agree with you.
Delete