“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.”
........a 2007 interview with
Mandela conducted by Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed
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