Obama the Living Legend of the Present Era- Oghaghare Ese

Photo Credit: The Huff's Post

 We may have lost the Great Madiba but we have a living legend, a great man in the person of Barack Obama. Again in his characteristic nature he delivered a well articulated speech much to the spectacle of an elated audience in the Stadium and to the World at large. I want to posit that he may well just be the best world smith we have alive today.

"..... He represents freedom not just for the Prisoner but for the Jailer"-Barack Obama


President Barack Obama in a speech delivered at the Memorial Service held for the Great Madiba at the FNB Stadium which ironically was the last venue Mandela was last seen publicly, implored thousands gathered in a cold, rainy stadium and millions watching around the world on Tuesday to carry forward Nelson Mandela's mission of erasing injustice and inequality.

"We, too, must act on behalf of justice. We, too, must act on behalf of peace,"such were the words of Obama who like Mandela became the first Black President of their respective countries. His speech was greeted by a loud applause and at the end a standing ovation , an audience consisting of more than 91 heads of State.

Mandela is really a great Man. Even in death, his charisma is unrivalled. I tweeted that it is only Mandela that bring an American President to shake a Castro. The CNN folks were trying as much as they can to explain to the American public the significance of that shake. I wonder what they expect. Obama couldn't have skipped Raul Castro in an event that epitomises a man who preaches total forgiveness and reconciliation. That would have sent the wrong message and wrong political calculation by President Obama.

One thing saddened me in the whole celebration and acknowledgement to Nations, Nigeria's contributions to the Madiba's ANC and South Africa as a nation was never mentioned in reports. Even when the West were paying lip service to the course of the Apartheid struggle Nigeria gave free Visa's and other support to the ANC members many of whom fled to Nigeria. It is Sad that he main stream Media stole the show and tend to portray themselves as if they really supported the struggle ab initio.

However said, the mood was celebratory. A dazzling mix of royalty, statesmen and celebrities was in attendance.