Obasanjo, who addressed journalists in his home in Abeokuta
on Friday, said Mandela's life was an example of what people
should all aspire for.
"In all situations, he lived nobly and died in nobility. Let us
bear in mind that we all have the opportunity to act nobly in
whatever position we find ourselves," he added.
He described Mandela's deat has a monumental loss to all
human races and called on all to emulate the life and times
of the great leader.
"His demise is a loss to his family who will miss a caring
patriarch; the people of South Africa who will miss a guide,
Africa who will miss a role model and the world who will
miss a leader.
"When we teach our children lessons for tomorrow, let us
remember lessons Mandela
gave the world in forgiveness and forbearance,'' Obasanjo
said.
Obasanjo, who eulogising Mandela, recalled the times when
he was voted to become South-Africa's post-apartheid
president.
"During the first non-racial democratic elections in 1994, I
was on election observation assignment in South Africa and
was there for his campaign and when he cast his vote.
"He was devoid of bitterness or anger against anybody except
the hated apartheid system.
"He went on to win the election and more importantly led
South Africa to the extent that the country was able to cast
aside its apartheid legacy and take its place in comity of
nations.
"Certain that his task was completed, Mandela modestly
refused to seek re-election after his first term in office as his
presidency elapsed.
"I still recall his pragmatic words when he said to me 'Olu,
show me a place in the world where a man of 80 years is
running the affairs of his country.
"This, to me, reflects an unequalled sense of modesty for a
man who spent 27 of the prime years of his life in prison for a
just cause.
"Yet he still kept a calm and peaceful disposition to those who
took away his freedom for all those years of his life,'' he
explained.
Via: (NAN)
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