WHERE WERE THEY? It is on record that Nigeria suffered for the ANC Movement. Our soldiers fought against the apartheid south-African government. Major Ifeajuna taught the ANC how to build explosives. At a point in time Mandela sought refuge in Enugu. He was there for six months, under the watchful eyes of the former Minister of Aviation in the first republic, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi . The Nigerian government t spent over 50 Million dollars supporting the ANC Government. We provided free education to south African students. Nationalized British companies in Nigeria, as a way of punishing Britain for their support forth Apartheid regime. We memorized songs like "Baya buye baya buye, baya buye africa and oh oh oh oh free mandela, mama Africa", as a way of showing support for the black south Africans. The commitment of Nigerians to put an end to apartheid in South Africa was so intense that the country was considered a leader of the Frontline States established to achieve democratic majority rule in South Africa.Nigeria played a vital role in the establishment of the United Nations Special Committee Against Apartheid (UNSCAA). This was partly responsible for Nigeria occupying the chair of the committee more than any other country until it was scrapped.
Nigeria also established the Southern African Relief Fund (SARF), which was funded with deductions from the salary of every Nigerian worker, irrespective of rank, both in the public and private sectors as well as donations from ordinary Nigerians, including students. Just as Nigeria committed itself to the apartheid struggle, so did other Africans countries like Ghana, ivory coast and Libya led by the "never forgotten" Brother Leader, Sir- Field Marshal- Ikemba worldwide-Otunba of revolutionaries-Mommar Ibn Gaddafi. I had to bring this up this morning because am still struggling to uderstsnd what has happened to this history and struggles. Mandela's death has turned into a celebration of the aftermath. It seems those who came into his life in the later years are more reverred than those who made legitimate sacrifices for his release. Please what role did Obama play in the ANC struggles. The highlight of the memorial, was Obama's speech and a selfie with the Prime minister of Denmark. That singular act by Obama, showed his true intentions. Obama even had the guts to critize Papa Bob of Zimbabwe. Then came the continuous eulogies on former president Clinton, on how he had developed a bond with Mandela. Since his death Oprah Winfrey has been on air selling herself as one of the Madiba daughters. Same as the super model of "moral bankruptcy", Naomi Cambell. To me it seems black Africa has been cheated out of its struggles. Madiba's memorial should have been a celebration of the black revolutionary spirit. The speakers at the memorial should have come from countries who stood when the chips were down. That's why when Raul Castro was speaking, you could see the revolutionary fervor in his tone. He clearly understood the meaning of Mandela's life and death. Madiba was the only black revolutionary who survived to benefit from the labor of his struggles. He was the bridge between the personalities of the likes of Julius nyerere, Patrice lumumba, Sir Mommar Gaddafi, Jerry Rawlings, Tom Mboya, Hailie Gebriesalaise (Ras Tafari), Kwame Nkrumah, Murtala Mohammed, Fidel Castro, Che Guevara, Hugo chavismo, Chris hani and others not mentioned. Their voices, spirits and struggles kept the ANC Alive. That's why I keep asking questions. Where was Richard Branson when blacks were being slaughtered in Soweto? Where was Bono of U-2 when Winnie Mandela was abused and battered by the racist militia, where was America when its foremost ally, Britain, called Mandela a terrorist! WHERE WERE THEY?