Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has commended the Nelson Mandela family for their contributions towards the siting of the Mandela Garden in Delta State, saying “we are highly honoured that a monument of this magnitude is being done for Nelson Mandela in this state. Indeed we are honoured.”
He also commended the wife of Ogun State Governor, Mrs. Olufunsho Amosun for her advocacy in the fight against environmental degradation in schools.
In his remarks, Chief Newton Jibunor, an international environmentalist and initiator of the project, explained that the garden was created to honour Nelson Mandela’s selfless service to mankind. He commended Governor Uduaghan for the assistance and support in making the vision a reality.
The programme, according to Dr. 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 wife of the Governor of Ogun State, Olufunso Amosun, in her own comments, 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.
Mrs. Amosun said she was very happy to identify with a worthy project like this in honour of the Madiba, adding that 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.”
Also speaking, Mr. Thembekile Mandela, Founder of Africa Rising Foundation and grandson of Nelson Mandela stated that the garden was a representation of his grandfather’s vision of a greener Africa, explaining that it would serve as an inspiration for the younger generation to continue to fight against environmental degradation.
Various speakers including the South African Consul-General, Amb. Mokgethi Monaisa, Senator Grace Bent, Chief Philip Asiodu, President, Nigerian Conservation Foundation, and General T.Y. Danjuma (rtd), commended the initiative to celebrate Nelson Mandela’s 95 years of selfless service to the world, saying that the garden was a good starting point in the fight against environmental degradation.
Highpoint of the celebration was the unveiling of the Nelson Mandela statue by the governor, Nelson Mandela’s family and Chief Newton Jibunor.
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.
The Nelson Mandela Garden of 95 Trees was established to commemorate the 95th birthday celebration of Nelson Mandela. 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.
BELOW ARE MORE PHOTOS OF THE EVENT
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