Mandela: Why we declared three-day mourning, by Jonathan

Goodluck Jonathan again Tuesday defended Nigeria's declaration of three days of mourning and a memorial service for the late South African President, Nelson Mandela.
He told reporters shortly before departing for FNB Stadium in Pretoria for the state funeral service that Mandela was a symbol of unity who grew beyond South Africa and the African continent.

He said that was why in the heyday of apartheid, Nigerians, including students, workers and musicians like the late Sonny Okosun contributed to the liberation of South Africa.

For him, the late South African anti-apartheid hero was somebody who took the state and the interest of the people much more than his own self and stood out clearly above a number of people in terms of leadership.

Jonathan urged leaders to learn from Mandela's ability to unite his people irrespective of challenges and his commitment to peace and love.

According to him, despite the fact that the struggle to take political office is very challenging, every leader must bear in mind that he/she is the president of everybody and not of a select few once in office.

Jonathan said: "First, I would use this opportunity again to express our condolences to South Africa and indeed the rest of Africa and indeed the black race because Mandela grew beyond boundaries, the political map of South Africa, so this concerns everybody.

"Mandela was a symbol of unity, somebody who took the state and the interest of the people much more than his own self and he stood out clearly above a number of people in terms of leadership of our states. He was able to bring unity and peace to South Africa, in spite of the challenges of apartheid regime. Nigeria, during the apartheid struggle, made contributions, all of us, including students and workers. That is why Nigeria was considered a frontline state even though we are quiet far away in the region of West Africa.

"So, Nigeria was totally committed to the liberation struggle in South Africa, all Nigerians, including our musicians. And that is why we will like them to play some of the records including that of the late Sonny Okosun, who used his voice and artistry to really push the apartheid struggle from back home in Nigeria.

"So, since we worked hard with the South Africans during the struggle, now that Mandela the face of the struggle is dead, we have to encourage the South Africans and to reassure them that the relationship between Nigeria and South Africa will continue to grow stronger and stronger."

On why Nigeria declared three days of mourning and held a church service in Mandela's honour despite the fact that he was a South African, the President said: "Nigeria declared three days of mourning and our flags were flown at half mast, and we had special services in all our mosques and churches that culminated in the State House Chapel where I worship.

"We did that because as I mentioned earlier, during the apartheid struggle, Nigeria was one country that was totally committed. Though we were not there physically in the land of South Africa, all Nigerians were totally committed because we felt their pain was our own pain, their struggle was our own struggle. Even when apartheid collapsed, we consider their victory as our own victory.

"That is why now that Mandela being the face of the struggle is dead, it is only proper for Nigeria to participate and celebrate with the South Africans just like we did during the struggle".

Asked about his message to leaders on Mandela, Jonathan said: "The lessons we leaders learnt from Mandela is the ability of a leader to unite the people irrespective of challenges. Because the struggle to take political offices is very challenging, you face a lot of obstacles but when you get there you know you are the president of everybody.

"Mandela was able to bring the unity even amongst the blacks of South Africa not just among the whites and blacks. Even among the blacks, there were issues but because of his style of leadership and his commitment to the people, he was able to bring that unity, he was able to show love and peace.

"He was a very courageous man and he used all the skills he had to challenge apartheid and bring unity to South Africa. So, we must all learn from that to consider our citizens more than our personal interest and make sure we bring peace and unity. Those are the elements of development of any society because without peace you cannot develop economically."