The presence of His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the President and Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, at the Funeral Service held for Madiba was most significant in our history. There is nothing most honourable than how the organisers have recognized the presence of Nigeria like they did to numerous other nations that were represented by their presidents and prime ministers.We should learn from the life of Mandela. Our politicians need to change and stop being myopic and self-centered. Mandela touched the lives of many, both black and white. He deserved more than the celebration and the occasion is enough for everybody to learn from all over the world without exempting Nigeria.
But it is most worrisome that it seems today's politicians in Nigeria have failed to learn from his life. However, we need to enlightened those who are confused or misguided that Nigeria was not well treated at the funeral that they are making a serious mistake. Not everything should be politicized. Mandela's funeral should not be turned into a political campaign excuse in Nigerian. The occasion was a place where everybody body around the world (both in person and by representation) went to pay last respect for Nelson Mandela.
Some members of the National House of Assembly and Governor Raji Fashola of Lagos State who are of the opinion that not giving microphone to President Jonathan to talk at the occasion was disrespectful for Nigeria got it wrong. It is not until he talk there that we express our last respect for Nelson Mandela as a nation. The President did not represented himself, he represented the whole Nigeria. Wake-up! Being given the microphone is not most important. Therefore, emphasizing on microphone is like being concerned about going to the funeral to render eye service to the family of Mandela and people of South Africa. That is very petty and worthless.
We Nigerians dissociate ourselves from myopic opinion. The world is mourning and we are concerned too! We should not be petty minded. Rather, we should take advantage of Mandela's death to start focusing doing greater positive things to transform our nation better. We are not worried over speaking at Mandela's funeral service. It is not fair to condemn the organizers that they do not respect Nigeria? That is not fair, and not the voice of the people of Nigeria.Of course, President Jonathan did not represented himself or any political organisation or group at the funeral. He represented Nigeria as a whole. At the occasion, he did well, and he was also respected by the family of Mandela and the organizers. Nigeria was not part of the organizers of the occasion, so it is not possible for us to dictate who speaks at the occasion. We went there to pay Madiba our last respect. And among other nations that were present, Nigeria was not excluded. So, asking for microphone is not necessary.
Note that before Mandela's death, most of those who spoke at his funeral were more closer to him. They were not just recognized because they are Presidents of their countries; they were recognized because they were seen as part of the characters to play significant roles in the agenda of the funeral service, particularly considering the way Mandela would have wanted the service to be if he was alive.
I therefore appeal to His Excellency, Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, and others who are concerned not to see our last respect for Mandela as a place to talk because you are a president. We contributed in agitation for the freedom of Mandela not because we wanted a reward. We did that because it was necessary and he deserved it. It was worth fighting or dying for. Let us focus more on improving our nation better. Let us learn from Mandela. It is time for sober reflection. A great man is gone!Even though he is dead and gone now, his memory live in our heart. He did not used guns to bring peace nor enrich himself at the detriment of his own people, he used his goodwill. He has a forgiven heart and never practiced a do or die politics, or victimized his oppositions because they did not voted for him. He never imposed political candidates on people because 'he is the father of South Africa'. He did not turned himself to godfather on anybody and collect returns to further corrupt the system. He was not an eye service leader pretending he is working when he is not. He is our great hero. Please respect him and his family because he deserves our respect and not eye service.
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