President Tinubu honours late Namibian leader Sam Nujoma at state burial
By Kunle Sanni
President Bola Tinubu has paid tribute to the late Dr. Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma, Namibia’s founding president, describing him as a warrior who championed freedom and inspired an entire continent.
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the state burial in Windhoek, Namibia, on Saturday, Tinubu praised Nujoma’s legacy, emphasizing his role in Namibia’s liberation, democracy, and stability.
“We have not come to bury a man; we have come to enshrine a legacy,” Tinubu said. “Dr. Nujoma was not just a national hero; he was a warrior who defied oppression and built a nation from the ashes of occupation.”
Nujoma, who passed away at 95 on February 8, 2025, was instrumental in Namibia’s fight against apartheid and served as the country’s first president. Tinubu noted that his leadership extended beyond independence, as he governed selflessly, upholding the dignity and justice of his people.
The Nigerian leader also highlighted Nigeria’s historic support for Namibia’s liberation, stressing that the bond between both nations was forged through their shared struggle against colonial rule and apartheid.
“When the world turned its back, Nigeria stood with Namibia,” Tinubu remarked. “Your struggle was our struggle. Your freedom was our freedom.”
Assuring Namibia of Nigeria’s continued solidarity, Tinubu reaffirmed that the friendship between both nations remains unbreakable.
The burial at Heroes’ Acre was attended by several African leaders, including Presidents Cyril Ramaphosa (South Africa), Emmerson Mnangagwa (Zimbabwe), Félix Tshisekedi (DR Congo), Samia Suluhu Hassan (Tanzania), Lazarus Chakwera (Malawi), and former Ghanaian President John Mahama, alongside other former presidents and diplomatic officials.
