Former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo has urged Namibians never to allow the labour of late Sam Nujoma be in vain.
Nujoma, a revolutionary politician who served three terms as first President of Namibia from 1990 to 2005, died on Saturday.
Nujoma, who led his country’s fight for independence from South Africa, died at age 95.
Obasanjo in a condolence letter to President Nangolo Mbumba and the late Nujoma’s wife, Mrs Kovambo Nujoma, described the late President as a quintessential patriot and courageous leader, who lived a fulfilled life while serving his country energetically.
Obasanjo also disclosed that as the country and the world mourn Nujoma, the prayer is that “his death will remind us of the sacrifices of him and his contemporaries who fought for Africa’s independence made”.
Obasanjo’s letter reads, “On behalf of my family and on my own behalf, I write to commiserate with you on the unfortunate passing of President Samuel Shafiishuna Daniel Nujoma, former President of Namibia, at the age of 95.
“In this moment of great loss to Namibians and indeed all Africans, we wish to express our heartfelt condolences to the Nujoma family and the government and good people of the Republic of Namibia.
“Late President Sam Nujoma, a quintessential patriot and courageous leader, lived a fulfilled life, having served his country energetically well in various capacities before he finally became the first President of Namibia from 1990 – 2005.
“His demise at the grand old age of 95 years brings to end the pioneer and forefather who led the struggles for liberation of Namibia from South African rule, just as he played a remarkable role in the search for peace in Angola and in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
“It is also worthy of note that relations between your great country and mine have a long history. While Sam was in the battle trench, I was in the political trench, with Nigeria, under my watch as the Military Head of State, supporting Nujoma’s valiant struggle for national liberation not as a matter of choice or sheer benevolence but as a demonstration of the onerous duty we owed ourselves as Nigerians and the African peoples.
“Then, Nigerians from all walks of life were united with Namibia’s government in the view that Nigeria’s independence would have little meaning until and unless twin evils of colonialism and apartheid in Southern Africa were completely eradicated. He deployed the courage and the tenacity of a good soldier.
“And the moment that shackles of oppression and usurpation of your land by the colonialists got dismantled in 1990, Namibia came out of the yoke of colonial domination and continued to make steady progress in the promotion of economic development and social transformation under the visionary leadership of my dear brother, President Nujoma, and his comrades in government.
“He will, no doubt, be remembered for his critical role in the socio-political development of Namibia.
“As we mourn President Nujoma, our prayer is that the death of this great African son and leader will remind us of the sacrifices that he and his contemporaries who fought for Africa’s independence made.
“Let it also remind us of the vision that he had for Namibia in particular and Africa in general; his hopes and aspirations; his dream for a free, strong, united and prosperous Namibia and Africa.
“Let all Namibians never let the labour of this great hero past be in vain.
We pray that Almighty God grants his immediate family and all the good people of the Republic of Namibia the fortitude to cope with the passing of this committed nationalist.”
In similar letter to Mrs Nujoma, Obasanjo stated: “On behalf of my family and on my own behalf, I write to commiserate with you on the unfortunate passing of your beloved husband, my dear brother and friend, President Samuel Shafiishuna Daniel Nujoma, former President of Namibia, at the age of 95.
“In this moment of great loss to you, your entire family, the Namibians and indeed all Africans, we wish to express our heartfelt condolences to you over this unfortunate incident.
“As we mourn President Nujoma, our prayer is that the death of this great African son and leader will remind us of the sacrifices that he and his contemporaries who fought for Africa’s independence made.”