FAYEMI: DON'T MOURN MANDELA, CELEBRATE HIM

Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has urged admirers of the late South African political icon, Nelson Mandela, not to mourn him but to celebrate the ideals of freedom, equality, peace and unity he lived for.


The Governor in a special tribute to the late South African leader,  said Mandela’s death calls  for reflection, adding that it is an opportunity for leaders to rededicate themselves for the service of mankind.



Governor Fayemi said the demise of the famous freedom fighter has closed "an epic story of triumph of the human spirit over injustice".


The Governor recalled that Mandela while in prison became the symbol of the struggle against apartheid's oppressive inhuman regime, with his face readily coming to mind all over the world when people think and talk about South Africa.


Fayemi also said the late Mandela worked for a united South Africa, adding that the people of the south African country were more united during his presidency. He added that Mandela remained a symbol of unity among the various racial groups in South Africa saying tension among the ethnic nationalities in the Rainbow Nation would have led to civil war but for the late sage's unending messages of peace and unity.



The Ekiti helmsman is of the opinion that Mandela's conciliatory posture helped to defuse racial tensions crediting the late statesman with leading his country through a transition process that culminated in his election as the first democratically elected president of the country.



He said Mandela's gesture of preaching forgiveness and reconciliation on his release from peace led South Africa to a new and sustainable path.



According to him, Mandela stood as a shining example of what real leadership looks like as his willingness to leave power stood in stark contrast to a number of situations in Africa where erstwhile liberation fighters who assumed power found it impossible to relinquish presidency.



The Governor charged the new generation to continue the battle for freedom noting that the likes of Mandela has shown the way.



"The pursuit of freedom is not accomplished in one generation. This generation must now rise up and take up the gauntlet and begin the battle against inequality and poverty.


"Fortunately, in Mandela they have the most illustrious of examples to draw from and emulate", Fayemi said.

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