Mugabe’s Legacy Lives On – Osinbajo

BY EDMOND ODOK, ABUJA – Nigeria’s Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo says late Robert Mugabe’s legacy of determined, proud and assertive black emancipation will live long in the hearts of Africans.
“Nigeria most respectfully condoles with the Republic of Zimbabwe on the passing of her President, Robert Mugabe, who led the republic and her people to freedom and majority rule, alongside so many other patriots.
“His legacy of determined, proud and assertive black emancipation will live long in the hearts of Africans”, Prof Osinbajo said
The Vice President, who spoke through his media aide, Laolu Akande, in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja, said; “We wish the people of Zimbabwe great peace and prosperity.”
The statement said Vice President Osinbajo, who was in Zimbabwe to represent President Muhammadu Buhari at the state funeral of the late former president of Zimbabwe, conveyed the message in the condolence register he signed at Harare International Airport.
Akande further stated that Prof Osinbajo, while speaking with Zimbabwean journalists at the Harare International Airport, described late Mugabe as a great encouragement to the independent movements everywhere.
According to him, the late Zimbabwean strongman was also a great motivation to self-realisation for black people practically everywhere.
“First let me say that for all of us, the whole of Africa, the memories of the years of de-colonisation, the years of the struggle for black majority rule in various places are years that bring joy and confidence to most of us, especially leaders today.
“This is one of the reasons why President Mugabe stood out as one of those leaders whose zeal, passion and selfless commitment to the emancipation of the people of Zimbabwe was not only a great encouragement to the independent movement everywhere, but more to the self-realisation for black people practically everywhere.”
The Vice President said Mugabe’s passage to the great beyond is indeed sad, especially for those who are leaders today, adding; “:there’s a lot to learn from such an incredibly illustrious career, especially the role that he played in decolonization.
“And, of course, alongside the work that was done, not just by the frontline states, but by the likes of Nelson Mandela in South Africa and so many other African patriots; their lives and times, especially during the period of the struggle for black majority rule in Southern Africa and the support that other African countries gave, especially sub-Saharan African countries; Nigeria being, as you have noted, a frontline state.”
Urging Africans to always be proud of their achievements, Prof Osinbajo said; “There are times when I think we should be extremely proud of what we achieved as black people.”