Nigerians Celebrate Nelson Mandela, ‘A Source of Inspiration for People’ Everywhere  · Global Voices
Nwachukwu Egbunike

Nelson Mandela, the first black president of South Africa who played a crucial role in that country's dismantling of apartheid, died on Thursday, December 5, 2013 at the age of 95. The beloved statesman and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, who is often referred to as Madiba, spent 27 years in prison for his political activities during the country's white minority rule before becoming president.
Since the news of his death broke, Nigerians have been celebrating the life and times of the man some call Africa's greatest gift to humanity. Within the African world view, the departure of a sage is no time for mourning, but a time of reflection on and appreciation of a worthy legacy. Eulogies have continued to stream in on Nigerian social media since the announcement of his death.
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was the first democratically elected president of South Africa. Photo released by South Africa The Good News under Creative Commons (CC BY 2.0).
Oluwatosin Olaseinde, an accountant and auditor, captured this succinctly:
Today shouldn't be a day of mourning, it should be that of celebration. Mandela has lived a great life, he was full of age, Rest In Peace
— Oluwatosin Olaseinde (@PrincessTosin87) December 6, 2013
Oby Ezekwesili, formerly vice president of the World Bank's Africa division, wrote:
Would b a “long walk” 4 many African leaders to “inherit” the VALUES ESSENCE of #Madiba. Greater shall be those who dare to take d 1st step! — oby ezekwesili (@obyezeks) December 6, 2013
Twitter user @ba55ey celebrated Mandela:
A source of inspiration for people in almost every country of the world #Madiba — bmc! (@ba55ey) December 6, 2013
Journalist Abang Mercy-Asu shared a video of Madiba's “Freedom Speech”:
VIDEO: Nelson Mandela’s Freedom Speech http://t.co/tYblZ45j3y — Abang Mercy-Asu (@AbangMercy) December 6, 2013
Writer and blogger Nze Sylva Ifedigbo shared a post from his blog:
Apt day to share this (Archives)»» LEARNING FROM THE WORLDS MOST LOVED MAN #NelsonMandela | Nzesylva's Corner http://t.co/4AYcPPp7uU — Sylva Nze Ifedigbo (@nzesylva) December 6, 2013
User @KwamiAdadevoh called for personal introspection:
I am at about the age that #Madiba was when he got imprisoned. Physically and mentally could I survive 27 yrs and still affect the world? — #Madiba46664 (@KwamiAdadevoh) December 6, 2013
User @WilDeji, a dog trainer, tried to capture the historic date of Madiba's release from prison:
“They have released Mandela”- do you remember the very moment you heard this statement made? What were you doing…? #Madiba
— 46664 || Just Pets (@WilDeji) December 6, 2013
Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a politician and prominent member of Nigeria's opposition, asserted that:
Leaders celebrate Mandela, but lack his discipline and morale fortitude They stand in the way of their people and make Africa laughingstock
— Bola Ahmed Tinubu (@AsiwajuTinubu) December 5, 2013
Nnayelugo called for “Mandelaness”:
Nigerians should start first (on their path to ‘Mandelaness’) by resuming at work at the appropriate time. — Nnayelugo (@eloka51) December 6, 2013
Literary critique Lord of the Gourds’ tweet was sarcastic:
Any Nigerian “leader” caught weeping crocodile tears over Mandela should be sentenced to 14 years breaking rocks in Kirikiri [Maximum security prison in Lagos, Nigeria]. @AsiwajuTinubu
— Lord of the Gourds (@ikhide) December 6, 2013
User @nnamdiarea did not spare African leaders:
The worst thing about Mandela's death will be the long, dull speeches by African leaders who want to praise him but not learn from him. — Geek. (@nnamdiarea) December 6, 2013
Social commentator Jason Kayode thought that it's not as much about leadership as it is about good citizenship:
Question: Which Nigerian leader can be like #Madiba. Answer: Which Nigerian CITIZEN can be like #Madiba
— Jason Kayode (@KayodeJason) December 6, 2013
RamblersINC, a blogger and literati, summed up Mandiba's legacy thus:
The lesson here is that a good name is better than wealth, fame, or power. The worth of a man's life is not in the abundance of possessions.
— RamblersINC. (@tee_hidee) December 6, 2013
Mojisola Sodeinde wrote:
Today he ranks above his jailers, above all world leaders, above royalty, in death he is larger than life ~ Nelson Mandela
— Mojisola Sodeinde (@mojisodeinde) December 6, 2013
Molara Wood (@molarawood), a writer, journalist and editor, summed up the sentiments of Nigerians in this poetic tweet:
Mandela is gone. The sun has set. The elephant has fallen. More than words. Farewell, Madiba. Go well. — Molara Wood (@molarawood) December 5, 2013
Madiba will dance to the cadence of this dirge, written by Nigerian poet, Tosin Gbogi, as he approaches “heaven's gate”:
Nelson, neon lights cast upon the night
Eons heavy with caste of memories,
Language bares to its final sole.
Soweto remembers the penal boundaries of up-rising
On a night like this, Nelson, a night like this when
Neon lights cast upon the world a cast of
Memories: a massacre so sharp
And vile: A Botha bold to a brainless core
Night on his lips, pronounces his race into the hate of
Dawn that brings Robben Island to its knees.
En route, Nelson is finally en route to Free(dom)Town
Let him have eternal peace, oh
Angels Biko and Brutus, quicken his pace to heavensgate