Former Vice President Abubakar was on Sunday honored by the South African leadership with front-row seat at both the state funeral and private burial ceremonies of global icon, Madiba Nelson Mandela at the late leader’s native home at Qunu, near Mthatha in the Eastern Cape Province.
Mandela’s body was flown here from Pretoria where he had lain is state for three days for a state funeral attended by 4,000 and a private burial witnessed by 400, reserved for key government officials, a few foreign leaders and intimate family members.
Atiku was selected to be among the few lucky personalities to see Mr. Mandela’s final burial ceremonies in the land of his ancestors in accordance with the Xhosa culture by the South African leadership, with which he has maintained an excellent type of relationship since the days when he, as Vice President and the then Deputy President Zuma co-chaired the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-national Commissions. Those was a period marked by important trade and investment relations between the two countries.
A few African heads of state and international figures including Rev. Jesse Jackson, Iranian Vice President and Prince Charles of Britain were similarly honored.
“In a word: humbled,” said Atiku following today’s services. “Humbled to have known a man as great as Nelson Mandela, humbled to have been a witness today, and humbled to have been so honored by the government of South Africa.”
Atiku flew from Pretoria to Mthatha with President Zuma in the same plane. The state funeral was held with extremely tight security under a vast domed marquee constructed for the purpose in the verdant hills adjacent to the house Mr. Mandela built in Qunu.
Ko kan aye
I am working and praying that God Almighty should make u President.Reason a true Nigeria and a democrat
Respect is due to a deservant,it’s because you deserved it. It’s indeed a great priviledge. Congratulation Sir!
A Gold fish has no hidden place!
The Sky shall be your limit Sir!!
A WELL DESERVED HONOUR FOR TURAKI, A SAFE TRIP BACK HOME SIR. MAY NELSON MANDELA’S SOUL REST IN PERFECT PEACE. AMEN!!!
which party turaki belong?
You are highly honoured I saw you on bbc
thanks to Allah for that sir. You have tried and you will be noticed
Bravo to an icon of leadership, more GREESE to your elbow Great leader, you will lead Nigeria again
God will surly choose you to be in position to make this nation great
You deserve the honour and respect given to u in reciprocal. Greater things awaits u.
Congratulations Turaki, U deserve more than that, As a citizen of Adamawa state am short of words to express my feelings, infact words alone is not good enough, i wish u become the Nigeria president come 2015.
By God grace come 2015, will be your time.
God bless u sir. I am addent believer in you, ur doggedness, fearlessness and fight for a democratic nigeria. I wil continue to follow you, no matter what anybody says. U are the reason we have jonathan as president today, for if u had not fought against third to a standstill against ur honour, family risk, wealth risk, we would still be under obasanjo . may God continue to bless u sir. I believe that one day, i will meet you.