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Nelson Mandela Visits Nigeria, Blasts Corrupt Leaders “U Have No Respect For Ur People “
December 11, 2013 – Nelson Mandela Visits Nigeria, Blasts Corrupt Leaders “U Have No Respect For Ur People “
In 2007, Former President of South Africa, now late Nelson Mandela did an interview with Dr Hakeem Baba Ahmed on the issue of corruption and crimes in Nigeria.
In the candid interview, the late hero blasts Nigerian leaders for lack of genuine interest in the success of their people. He also laments the poverty level in Nigeria and the bad education system.
Interview excerpts below:
“You know I am not very happy with Nigeria. I have made that very clear on many occasions. Yes, Nigeria stood by us more than any nation, but you let yourselves down, and Africa and the black race very badly. Your leaders have no respect for their people. They believe that their personal interests are the interests of the people. They take people’s resources and turn it into personal wealth. There is a level of poverty in Nigeria that should be unacceptable. I cannot understand why Nigerians are not more angry than they are.
“What do young Nigerians think about your leaders and their country and Africa? Do you teach them history? Do you have lessons on how your past leaders stood by us and gave us large amounts of money? You know I hear from Angolans and Mozambicans and Zimbabweans how your people opened their hearts and their homes to them. I was in prison then, but we know how your leaders punished western companies who supported Apartheid.
“What about the corruption and the crimes? Your elections are like wars. Now we hear that you cannot be president in Nigeria unless you are Muslim or Christian. Some people tell me your country may break up. Please don’t let it happen.
“Let me tell you what I think you need to do. You should encourage leaders to emerge who will not confuse public office with sources of making personal wealth. Corrupt people do not make good leaders. Then you have to spend a lot of your resources for education.
Educate children of the poor, so that they can get out of poverty. Poverty does not breed confidence. Only confident people can bring changes. Poor, uneducated people can also bring change, but it will be hijacked by the educated and the wealthy…give young Nigerians good education. Teach them the value of hard work and sacrifice, and discourage them from crimes which are destroying your image as a good people.”
The interview was conducted at his home in South Africa.
After his release from prison Nelson Mandela travelled to many countries in Africa and abroad to thank those who had supported the ANC during the years of struggle and to implore them to continue to pressurize for democratic transformation in South Africa. Nelson Mandela gives a salute as he disembarks a Nigerian jet during his state visit to Nigeria.
Timipre
December 11, 2013 at 3:58 AM
I have never heard of this interview before. I hope the pot belly pigs are reading this.
All they do with Nigeria’s wealth is to send their children abroad and build mighty mansions.
Seeker
December 11, 2013 at 4:45 AM
True, the useless leaders especially the so called nonentities called law makers are nothing but plutocrats!
Destino
December 11, 2013 at 4:50 AM
Imagine all this stupid nigeria leader.one of them usedles okupa doyin was sayin Gj is nigeria mandela nonsence talk babon man.
Dotun kY
December 11, 2013 at 4:54 AM
our leaders in this country are useless animals
They should all be jailed for corruption
D Hunter
December 11, 2013 at 5:08 AM
Just imagine d mindset of d late bt neva 4gttn Hero of Africa. No 1da dat S/Africa is far developed dan d so called Giant of Africa Nigeria. Hw can u hv dis kind of a Leader n nt hv a prosperous n transformed Con3 wt a working system?
Hope all dos good 4 notin greedy RULERS called leaders r reading dis?
iron bar
December 11, 2013 at 12:53 PM
great hunter,i was ashamed reading this..this was d same year obj completed his miserable eight yr tenure..our politicians have corruption embedded in their dna,s
Gideon
December 11, 2013 at 5:20 AM
Nelson U are very right a typical example is ASUU and ASUP strikes. They are talking only about ASUU because some of de average man’s children are dia, forgetting ASUP because dey feel is less important, is dis not a model apathy ?? When we start making troubles dey will said we are violent youths. We are still slaves in our own father’s land, what a pity.
Agboola sunday
December 11, 2013 at 7:24 AM
Corruption dominate nigeria
Chioma
December 11, 2013 at 8:34 AM
Wat a great speech.speaking to our hearts.as I read this tru I recognisez dat wat s happening to our leadership its not just about our leaders bt our inability to vote for d right candidate irrespective of wer dey com from or religion.let us all wake up n fight this fight…Nelson mandela will eva b cherished..
East lover
December 11, 2013 at 8:57 AM
very wicked leaders, moroons, useles nd heartles souls especialy d mumu nd mute president. I dispise dem all mtchwwwwww
JAMES Shokunbi
December 11, 2013 at 9:18 AM
What ever those useless pigs (Nigerian leaders) build with the stolen fund will crumble because the spirits of the poor will not let them enjoy the fruit of the ill gotten wealth.
Georges,
December 11, 2013 at 10:32 AM
Thank you Mr Timipre,Seeker,Destno and Dotun for your good and brilient comments,The so called law makers, who make only laws that will be of their benefit, the law that will not exposed their evil courrption and envy, the Babylionian laws, hypocrsy laws,they law that prevent them from holding a national confrence,no they will not read the interview FROM Mandela ,because it might remove the idialogy of born to Rule no matter what ever education back ground they have,I am the best,my trib is the best, we feed the nations, without us the country will burn idealogies, even though they read it what benefits will it be for bathing a pig as you know that no matter the amount of soap you used in making a pig clean, it MUST go back to swamp where it belongs.Who will liberate Nigerian? I THINK THE FUTURE GENERATION WILL TAKE DESTINY BY THEIR HANDS,iam not inserting volience, rather whenever i remember my country, i wept bitterly, i wept by seeing young Nigerians diying like flies across several countries of the world, in the desert, in the high seas, in prisons, some are in prison for no reason only they are carrying the Nigerian passport, some area between Egypt and Isreal is where you see what human eyes can not see,from a country that is not in phsycal war, rather war of operssions and greedy leaders.
Yes Mr present president may have good intention, but the evil men sourrding him will not give him a chance that is why all i will do this and that always ends on the televison screm, Second Niger bridge on TV, International and national good roads on TV,securty and protection of our father land on TV,good hospital with the best trained doctors on TV,10 refinaries on TV,National conference on TV,good education on TV,poverty erdication from grass root on TV,etc etc all on TV because no good and devoted adviser, please I dont want any Nigerian leaders to comment on Mandela because even in their next generation they will not be even 10% of him.I believe that no matter the suffering and hardship nigerians are facing, no matter deaths on the desert and high seas, no matter rotting in prisons accross the world,ONE DAY NIGERIANS SHALL BE FREE.
john
December 11, 2013 at 12:35 PM
tribal abuse comment removed by author
Mike
December 11, 2013 at 2:19 PM
The situation in Nigeria is pathetic. Worse is most youths are leaning in the footsteps of the corrupt leaders. One day, surely, like it happened to the good man madiba, the bad and ugly Nigerian leader will pay the ultimate price. What would they be remembered for? Peace.
Dandaddy
December 11, 2013 at 2:31 PM
..nigerians do you want freedom?? I tell you true freedom can only come through the barrens of gun!!
PRINCESAAM
December 11, 2013 at 3:43 PM
WORD
Igwe
December 11, 2013 at 8:24 PM
This is pathetic in nature,as a leaders without vision.. So many times i do wonder aw dz country is been run.. All the Nigeria leader are selfish… Jonathan u’re our own mandela? Doyin must be sickheaded 4 comparing hero to a selfish and corrupted leader.
bil4ever
December 12, 2013 at 12:36 PM
A time to be born and a time to die. This is why Eclesiasistic says that when we are young, we should make good use of it bcos wen we are old, we are helpless like a baby. I looked back to the old yrs of Mandela, how handsome and lively he was and I compared with now that he is 95yrs, I saw indeed the bible is truth. He has run his race to the finish, let’s learn a good lesson from this great hero. I’m sure God will resurrect him on the resurrection day bcos he lived a godly life. What a Hero, even at death, he was smiling happily. U deserve to be a ruler in Gods kingdom
bil4ever
December 12, 2013 at 12:38 PM
I love u madiba
Mario Master Sax
December 13, 2013 at 7:41 AM
Man of nation. I pray in Jesus name, ur labour we nu be in vain.
ibrahim
December 13, 2013 at 9:30 AM
i always wonder why our leaders will not use there common head to think,imagine GEJ saying we should immaculate NELSON MANDALA and he his runing for second term what dose he take us for,
Paskal
December 13, 2013 at 2:49 PM
H’ello my dear youths, i think only Revolution can solve this issue of corruptions in Nigeria.
Uzoma Igwe
September 11, 2014 at 12:27 AM
R.I.P Our hero and may your sole rest in peace.You were are such a leader that live by example not our useless Nigerian leaders who are interested in their personal intrest .Whats ever a man sow he shal reap,your legency will not die cos you left much to be remembered for.