Mandela, Africa’s icon of hope – Amosun’s wife

The wife of the Governor of Ogun State, Olufunso Amosun, has described the former South African President, Dr. Nelson Mandela, as one of the greatest Africa’s icons of hope, saying his exemplary life remains a cause of celebration for Africa and Africans.
Speaking during the commissioning of the Nelson Mandela Garden of 95 Trees/Unveiling of the Nelson Mandela Statue at the Asaba International Airport in Asaba, Delta State, Amosun said she was very happy to identify with a worthy project like this in honour of the Madiba.
She said the project has further raised her hope to intensify her effort in the UPLIFTing the Environment and Going Green initiative in Ogun State.
She said: “Your aspirations on this project have given us hope to continue to teach our youths on how to sustain our environment.
“It has also given hope to my philosophy of Green Empathy – teaching our youths to be more sympathetic to our environment.
“We would continue to teach them not to be wasteful in order to protect the earth.”
To commemorate the 95th birthday celebration of Nelson Mandela, the Nelson Mandela Garden of 95 Trees was established.
The Phase One of the project involves the creation of the garden, which has been designed in the shape of the map of Africa, using 95 trees with the maps of Nigeria and South Africa clearly delineated with trees.
The programme, according to the organiser, Dr. Newton Jibunoh, was another opportunity by his non-governmental organisation, Fight Against Desert Encroachment to “showcase the importance of environmental conservation and promote a culture of social, educational and environmental well-being.”
The commissioning ceremony had in attendance the founder of Africa Rising Foundation and grandson of Mandela, Ndaba Thembekile Mandela.
Others included the grand daughter of Mandela, Dorothy Amuah Mandela; Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State; his wife, Roli; Chairman, T. Y. Foundation, General Theophilus Danjuma (rtd); and South African Consul General to Nigeria, Ambassador Mokgethi Monaisa.