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From Paul Osuyi, Asaba
Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has urged Nigerians to strive to live like former president of South Africa, Dr. Nelson Mandela.
He gave the advise in Asaba, Delta State, during the 2023 United Nations Nelson Mandela International Day Celebration.
Soyinka advised Nigerians to de-emphasise celebrating the legendary African leader but to live a better life.
Soyinka said Mandela did his best when he was in prison, out of prison and as president, saying planting trees could be a way to live like him as that would immortalise him to make people remember his good deeds.
“We have many Mandela among us. His travails among them are not over. We should do everything to free them and celebrate them wherever they are to save the coming generation,” he said.
Founder of Mandela Gardens, Asaba, Dr. Newton Jibunoh, said he was happy celebrating Mandela with mixed feelings, saying he celebrated most of his life for emancipation but that at the other hand the world is not yet a better place despite the idea behind the emancipation to search for another Mandela worldwide.
“Nigeria was a major player during the emancipation convention, despite that what position is Nigeria now? All these made one to be sad.
“When Mandela contested for president, he did not have money to buy form. In Nigeria today, you need N100 million to buy form for presidential contest,” Jibunoh lamented
While advising Nigerians to think about the sacrifices Mandela made to make the world a habitable place, he said we have a serious responsibility to make sure the world is made a better place to live.
Aissatou Diouf, CFAO Manager, and Dr. Minnie Oseji, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Delta State ,said Mandela as international peace maker, was a role model worldwide, saying apart from planting trees, there is need to improve the environment by reducing fuel consumption, carbon emission and others.
