President Bola Tinubu has paid tribute to the late Namibian president, Sam Nujoma describing him as a pillar for freedom from colonialism and apartheid in Southern Africa.
Dr. Nujoma, a revered statesman who led Namibia to independence and laid the foundation for democracy, passed on February 8, 2025, at the age of 95.
His state burial took place on Saturday at Heroes’ Acre in Windhoek, Namibia, drawing African leaders and dignitaries to honor his memory.
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, President Tinubu declared that Nujoma’s passing was not an end but the dawn of his immortality in the hearts of Africans.
He described the late leader as more than a national hero, emphasizing his pivotal role in Africa’s liberation.
“We have not come to this sacred ground to bury a man. We have come to enshrine a legacy,” the Nigerian leader stated. “Dr. Nujoma was not just the founding father of a nation that needed a hero; he was a warrior in the age of chains.”
Highlighting Nujoma’s leadership beyond independence, Tinubu commended his selfless dedication to nation-building. “Independence was not the destination; it was only the beginning. You turned resistance into governance and a dream into reality. You ruled not for yourself but for your people,” he added.
He also underscored Nigeria’s unwavering support for Namibia’s liberation struggle, stressing the deep historical bond between the two nations.
“When the world turned its back, we stood. When your voice was drowned by the guns of apartheid, we spoke. Your struggle was our struggle; your freedom was our freedom,” he affirmed.
Reassuring Namibia of Nigeria’s continued solidarity, Tinubu emphasized that the struggle that once united both nations has now become the foundation of an unbreakable friendship.
“Namibia, you do not grieve alone. Africa grieves with you. But more than that, we celebrate you because, in this land, we did not just lose a man—we gained a legend,” he declared.
The burial was attended by several African leaders, including Presidents Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe, Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania, Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi, and John Mahama of Ghana, alongside former presidents and diplomatic envoys.
NAN
