Opinion
Mandela: An Exemplary Leader
Last week, precisely July 18, 2011, many nations, organisations, associations, and leaders across the globe joined South Africa to celebrate the second Nelson Mandela International Day which marked the 93rd birthday of the anti-apartheid icon. To make the day memorable such events as football for peace, photo exhibitions video footage, film screenings, panel discussions, music programmes, and community service were organised in South Africa and some other parts of the world.
The Nelson Mandela International Day established by the United Nations in 2009 was first celebrated on July 18, 2010 to honour him (Mandela) not only for the extraordinary role he played in the liberation of his country but also his committed and selfless service to humanity. Today Nelson Mandela, affectionately known by many as Madiba, stands as a beacon of hope for all generations across the world and a symbol of freedom, justice, democracy and exemplary leadership.
Celebrating the Nelson Mandela International Day last year, the president of the United States of America (USA), Barack Oboma, called on world leaders to strive to build upon Mandela’s virtues of compassion and reconciliation to make the world a better place. In his language: “We are grateful to continue to be blessed with his extraordinary vision, leadership, and spirit. We have to build upon his example of tolerance, compassion, and reconciliation. I encourage us all to heed the call to engage in some form of service to mark the number of years Madiba gave us”.
Since last year, South African citizens mark Mandela’s birthday by devoting 67 minutes of their time to community service – a minute for every year he spent in politics fighting for freedom, peace, and rights of human kind. Even leaders of other nations have called on people around the world to also mark Mandela’s birthday by giving 67 minutes of their time to community service to honour his legacy.
In all, the Nelson Mandela International Day, his birthday, will continue to be observed annually in recognition of his long-standing commitment to the promotion of race relations, international cooperation and dialogue, human rights and reconciliation, culture of peace, justice, and freedom, gender and social equality, conflict resolution, and moral, dedicated and exemplary leadership.
So this great honour that has been bestowed on this living example of core values and a quintessential global citizen, Nelson Mandela, should open the heart of people, particularly leaders, to serve humanity with love, humility, courage, and commitment. While world leaders who served themselves selfishly have gone into oblivion, Mandela’s name has been written in gold and immortalised.
Nelson Mandela born in Mvezo, a rural black homeland in the Eastern Cape Province in 1918 to Henry Myadla Mandela, a councilor to the Thembuland’s Acting Paramount Chief, David Dalindyebo, has a remarkable pedigree. Following the death of his father, he became the chief’s ward and was groomed for the stool. But from 1944, when he joined the African National Congress (ANC) to June 12, 1964, when he was jailed for life for allegedly plotting to overthrow the apartheid government till his release on February 18, 1990, after 27 years of incarceration, Mandela suffered for the sake of people everywhere, especially his own nation, South Africa.
Mandela has been honoured with several awards all over the world. In 1993, he shared a Nobel Peace prize with de Clerk. In 1994, Mandela became South Africa’s first post-apartheid president and left office voluntarily and peacefully in 1999, after serving one tenure.
Though his public appearances have reduced recently, Mandela is still making great contributions towards the reduction of poverty, illiteracy, and the scourge of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in Africa.
Mandela, the living legend, and a jewel of inestimable value not just to Africa but to the entire human race, demonstrates unfailing humility by saying constantly that he is an ordinary man, who has become a leader because of extraordinary circumstances. But he has achieved an extraordinary feat by declaring himself a humble servant of life.
Today, South Africa is the economic powerhouse of Africa. Since 1994 when Mandela became its president, South Africa’s economy has been in upward phase of growth and development with its financial, legal, communications, energy, and transport sectors completely over-hauled. The bold economic reforms which his leadership introduced since the advent of democracy in the country in 1994, has boosted competitiveness, expanded the economy, created more job opportunities, and opened the country up to world market.
Nigerian leaders have a lot to learn from the exemplary leadership disposition of Mandela which the South African political class has imbibed. Exemplary leadership remains the foundation for the survival, growth, and development of any nation.
Opinion
Restoring Order, Delivering Good Governance
The political atmosphere in Rivers State has been anything but calm in 2025. Yet, a rare moment of unity was witnessed on Saturday, June 28, when Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, appeared side by side at the funeral of Elder Temple Omezurike Onuoha, Wike’s late uncle. What could have passed for a routine condolence visit evolved into a significant political statement—a symbolic show of reconciliation in a state bruised by deep political strife.
The funeral, attended by dignitaries from across the nation, was more than a moment of shared grief. It became the public reflection of a private peace accord reached earlier at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. There, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu brought together Governor Fubara, Minister Wike, the suspended Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and other lawmakers to chart a new path forward.
For Rivers people, that truce is a beacon of hope. But they are not content with photo opportunities and promises. What they demand now is the immediate lifting of the state of emergency declared in March 2025, and the unconditional reinstatement of Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Dr. Ngozi Odu, and all suspended lawmakers. They insist on the restoration of their democratic mandate.
President Tinubu’s decision to suspend the entire structure of Rivers State’s elected leadership and appoint a sole administrator was a drastic response to a deepening political crisis. While it may have prevented a complete breakdown in governance, it also robbed the people of their voice. That silence must now end.
The administrator, retired naval chief Ibok-Ette Ibas, has managed a caretaker role. But Rivers State cannot thrive under unelected stewardship. Democracy must return—not partially, not symbolically, but fully. President Tinubu has to ensure that the people’s will, expressed through the ballot, is restored in word and deed.
Governor Fubara, who will complete his six-month suspension by September, was elected to serve the people of Rivers, not to be sidelined by political intrigues. His return should not be ceremonial. It should come with the full powers and authority vested in him by the constitution and the mandate of Rivers citizens.
The people’s frustration is understandable. At the heart of the political crisis was a power tussle between loyalists of Fubara and those of Wike. Institutions, particularly the State House of Assembly, became battlegrounds. Attempts were made to impeach Fubara. The situation deteriorated into a full-blown crisis, and governance was nearly brought to its knees.
But the tide must now turn. With the Senate’s approval of a record ?1.485 trillion budget for Rivers State for 2025, a new opportunity has emerged. This budget is not just a fiscal document—it is a blueprint for transformation, allocating ?1.077 trillion for capital projects alone. Yet, without the governor’s reinstatement, its execution remains in doubt.
It is Governor Fubara, and only him, who possesses the people’s mandate to execute this ambitious budget. It is time for him to return to duty with vigor, responsibility, and a renewed sense of urgency. The people expect delivery—on roads, hospitals, schools, and job creation.
Rivers civil servants, recovering from neglect and under appreciation, should also continue to be a top priority. Fubara should continue to ensure timely payment of salaries, address pension issues, and create a more effective, motivated public workforce. This is how governance becomes real in people’s lives.
The “Rivers First” mantra with which Fubara campaigned is now being tested. That slogan should become policy. It must inform every appointment, every contract, every budget decision, and every reform. It must reflect the needs and aspirations of the ordinary Rivers person—not political patrons or vested interests.
Beyond infrastructure and administration, political healing is essential. Governor Fubara and Minister Wike must go beyond temporary peace. They should actively unite their camps and followers to form one strong political family. The future of Rivers cannot be built on division.
Political appointments, both at the Federal and State levels, must reflect a spirit of fairness, tolerance, and inclusivity. The days of political vendettas and exclusive lists must end. Every ethnic group, every gender, and every generation must feel included in the new Rivers project.
Rivers is too diverse to be governed by one faction. Lasting peace can only be built on concessions, maturity, and equity. The people are watching to see if the peace deal will lead to deeper understanding or simply paper over cracks in an already fragile political arrangement.
Wike, now a national figure as Minister of the FCT, has a responsibility to rise above the local fray and support the development of Rivers State. His influence should bring federal attention and investment to the state, not political interference or division.
Likewise, Fubara should lead with restraint, humility, and a focus on service delivery. His return should not be marked by revenge or political purges but by inclusive leadership that welcomes even former adversaries into the process of rebuilding the state.
“The people are no longer interested in power struggles. They want light in their streets, drugs in their hospitals, teachers in their classrooms, and jobs for their children. The politics of ego and entitlement have to give way to governance with purpose.
The appearance of both leaders at the funeral was a glimpse of what unity could look like. That moment should now evolve into a movement-one that prioritizes Rivers State over every personal ambition. Let it be the beginning of true reconciliation and progress.
As September draws near, the Federal government should act decisively to end the state of emergency and reinstate all suspended officials. Rivers State must return to constitutional order and normal democratic processes. This is the minimum requirement of good governance.
The crisis in Rivers has dragged on for too long. The truce is a step forward, but much more is needed. Reinstating Governor Fubara, implementing the ?1.485 trillion budget, and uniting political factions are now the urgent tasks ahead. Rivers people have suffered enough. It is time to restore leadership, rebuild trust, and finally put Rivers first.
By: Amieyeofori Ibim
Amieyeofori Ibim is former Editor of The Tide Newspapers, political analyst and public affairs commentator
Opinion
Checking Herdsmen Rampage
Do the Fulani herdsmen have an expansionists agenda, like their progenitor, Uthman Dan Fodio? Why are they everywhere even the remotest part of other areas in Nigeria harassing, maiming, raping and killing the owners of the land?”
In a swift reaction, The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) decried and strongly condemned the invasion by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
In his denunciation, MOSOP President Fegalo Nsuke described the incident as very unfortunate and deeply troubling, warning against a recurrence of the violence experienced in Benue State. “The killing of yesterday is bad and very unfortunate. We are getting preliminary information about how the herders gained access to the farmland, and it appears some hoodlums may be collecting money and granting access illegally.”
He called on the Hausa community in Rivers State to intervene swiftly to prevent further attacks.
“We want the Hausa community in Rivers State to take urgent action to ensure these issues are resolved”.
But will such appeal and requests end the violent disposition of the Fulani herdsmen? It is not saying something new that the escalating threat and breach of peace across the country by the Fulani herdsmen or those suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, leaves much to be desired in a country that is bedevilled by multi-dimensional challenges and hydra-headed problems.
Some upland Local Government Areas of Rivers State, such as Etche, Omuma, Emohua, Ikwerre, Oyigbo, Abua, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, have severally recounted their ordeals, as herdsmen invaded farmlands, destroyed crops, raped female farmers and killed protestant residents.
Again the wanton destruction of lives and properties which no doubt has overwhelmed the Nigerian Police, makes the clamour for State Police, indispensable. The National Assembly should consider the amendment of the Constitution to allow States to have their Statutory policing agencies.
Opinion
Is Nigeria Democratic Nation?
As insurgency has risen to an all time high in the country were killings has now grown to be a normal daily activity in some part of the nation it may not be safe to say that Nigeria still practices democracy.
Several massacres coming from the Boko Haram and the herdsmen amongst all other insurgencies which have led to the destruction of homes and killing, burning of communities especially in the northern part of the country. All these put together are result of the ethnic battles that are fought between the tribes of Nigeria and this can be witnessed in Benue State where herders and farmers have been in constant clashes for ages. They have experienced nothing but casualties and unrest.
In the month of June 13-14, the Yelwata attack at the Guma Local Government Area by suspected gunmen or herdsmen who stormed the houses of innocent IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) claiming the lives of families, both adults and children estimated to be 200 victims. They were all burnt alive by these unknown gunmen.
This has been recorded as one of the deadliest insurgencies that had happened in recent years. Some security personnel that were trying to fight the unknown gunmen also lost their lives.
Prior to the Yelewata attack, two days before the happening, similar conflict took place in Makurdi on June 11, 2025. 25 people were killed in the State. Even in Plateau State and the Southern Kaduna an attack also took place in the month of June.
All other states that make up the Middle Belt have been experiencing the farmers/herders clash for years now and it has persisted up till recent times, claiming lives of families and children, homes and lands, escalating in 2025 with coordinated assaults.
Various authorities and other villagers who fled for safety also blamed the herdsmen in the State for the attack that happened in Yelwata community.
Ehebha God’stime is an Intern with The Tide.
-
Opinion2 days ago
How Reliable Is AI
-
News2 days ago
RSG Tasks Rural Dwellers On RAAMP …As Sensitization Team Visits Akulga, Degema, Three Others
-
Politics2 days ago
Keyamo Inaugurates Ganduje As FAAN Board Chair
-
Rivers2 days ago
HOS Tasks Rural Dwellers On RAAMP … As Project Sensitization Team Visit Degema, AKULGA
-
Politics2 days ago
Reps Constitution Review Committee Holds Zonal Hearing For Rivers, C’River, Akwa Ibom In Calabar
-
Opinion2 days ago
Is Nigeria Democratic Nation?
-
News2 days ago
I’m Committed To Community Dev – Ajinwo
-
News2 days ago
2027: I Stand With Southern Presidency -Ortom