‘Mandela’s Death, Collosal Global Loss’

As the government and people of South Africa begin obsequies for Dr. Nelson Mandela with a memorial service tomorrow, the Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi joined other statesmen in the world on Friday to mourn the death of first black President of South Africa and revered rights activist, Nelson Mandela.
Amaechi who with other state officials had after an inter-governmental meeting in Government House observed a minute silence in honour of Mandela, described the death of the South African leader as a huge loss to Nigeria, Africa and the world as a whole.
He said, “I am happy the way he is been celebrated; this indicate that the man is a citizen of the world”.
The Rivers State governor said Mandela should be celebrated rather than being mourned because of the legacies he left behind.
Amaechi pointed out that for the reconcilliation and unification Mandela sought after the fall of Apartheid South Africa would have broken and therefore hailed him as father of modern South Africa.
He maintained that the late South Africa leader provided the budding environment that ensured that both whites and black lived and worked together for the advancement of their country.
Asked what Nigerian leaders could learn from the late leader Amaechi said, “being able to ensure that there is a synergy between the blacks and whites and bringing them together to build a nation” adding that, “he offered a leadership of reconcilliation and peace”.
The Rivers State governor prayed for the family to bear the loss of such a huge collosus.
South Africans held a day of prayer and reflection for Nelson Mandela, who died on Thursday.
At the Bryanston Methodist Church in Johannesburg, President Jacob Zuma urged South Africans not to gorget the values Mr. Mandela stood for.
At the Regina Mundi Catholic Church in Soweto, priest Sebastian Roussouw said the late President had been “a light in the darkness”.
A national memorial service is due to be held tomorrow while Mandela will be given a state funeral on December 15.
South Africans have been holding vigils since Mandela died at home at the age of 95, after several months of ill health.
Addressing the congregation in Johannesburg  including members of the Mandela family, President Zuma praised Mr. Mandela for his commitment to peace and reconciliation.