EloquentMedia: Before we begin to blame our leaders, lets reexamine ourselves because our leaders still come from among us. If you still come to Nairaland to indulge in tribal warfare, then it is YOU Madiba is disappointed at. If you still cheat in the exam, and pass exam by sorting-it's a clear sign that you will cheat in election, and embezzle public funds. it is YOU that is painting us black let us as youths change our ways, embrace godly values and shun the get rich quick syndrome and collectively we will get to the promised land in our generation. After all history has shown us that evil does not pay and has a generational consequence

JulianBond007: The same problem Mandela complained about Nigeria in 2007 in this interview is still happening presently. Nothing has changed instead it became worse. Too bad for a country like Nigeria. May God save us from the hands of our wicked leaders.

bong4: "The World will not respect Africa until NIGERIA earns it". I so love this statement.

I cannot understand why Nigerians are not more angry than they are.

ghananotnaija:

I pray to God that Mandiba was mistaken about that (he was, after all, human). If he was right, then Africa is to be doomed forever, for I see no hope in this country called Nigeria.

trillville:

1 in every 5 black person on the surface of earth is Nigeria. We are the highest concentration of black people on earth. If Nigeria does not get it's act right, black people will forever be looked down on. The treatment we receive abroad is because of Nigeria. The Chinese man used to suffer this same treatment. The mexicans are suffering the treatment now but they have light at the end of their tunnel. Is there any hope for the black

man?

If Obama were to give a candid interview today, his statements would not be much different from Mandela. He would also be extremely Mad at Nigeria for failing the entire black race.

chamboy: Do u think d likes of dangote who is pursuing world richest would want nigeria to grow

ghananotnaija:

I pray to God that Mandiba was mistaken about that (he was, after all, human). If he was right, then Africa is to be doomed forever, for I see no hope in this country called Nigeria.

hollandis: Nigerians and that past tense speech..Why didnt he say this when he was alive .Please tell this yoruba he-goat to stfu

devigblegble: A blessed country but wicked and heartless politicians. I still believe in a better tomorrow for 9ja

1supremo: IF THE DIALOGUE APPEARS TOO LONG, READ THIS EXCERPT: IT'S A GOOD SYNOPSIS

"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.

''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.

"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." I reminded him that we had elected governments since 1999, and he knew some of our leaders in person. Yes, he did. "But what about the corruption and the crimes?" he asked.

''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."

People had said to him that South Africa could become an alternative beacon of hope and inspiration for the black race and Africa. He told them it was always going to be Nigeria. "So," he said to me, "If this audience has been useful, I am glad. But it will be more useful to me if you go back to Nigeria and work to 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.''