TINUBU PAYS TRIBUTE: JESSE JACKSON DEFENDS NIGERIA’S DEMOCRACY
Read Time:2 Minute, 37 Second
By: Balogun Ibrahim
President Bola Tinubu has mourned the passing of American civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Jackson, describing him as a global symbol of justice, equality, and human dignity.
In a condolence message issued on Tuesday, Tinubu joined “the rest of the world and the people of the United States of America” in mourning the veteran activist and Baptist preacher, who died at the age of 84.
The Nigerian President paid tribute to Jackson’s decades-long contribution to the fight for racial justice, highlighting his close association with Martin Luther King Jr. and the broader civil rights movement.
“Reverend Jackson was a servant-leader who captured the global imagination as a young activist, alongside Martin Luther King Jr., fighting for the dignity of Black people, the oppressed, and the voiceless,” Tinubu said.
He recognised Jackson’s impact on American politics, noting that the civil rights leader played a key role in reshaping the nation’s social and democratic landscape.
“If Barack Obama became the first Black American president, it was because Reverend Jackson and his fellow activists did not relent in their march for justice,” President Bola Tinubu stated.
Reflecting on Jackson’s own presidential campaigns, Tinubu described them as historic milestones that broke racial barriers in American political life.
“When Barack Obama broke the glass ceiling as the first Black President in America, it was Reverend Jackson who first cracked that ceiling in 1984 and again in 1988 when he ran as a Democratic Party presidential contender,” President Bola Tinubu said.
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Tinubu also reflected on his personal experience with Jackson’s activism during his time as a student in Chicago in the 1970s.
“I witnessed firsthand how, as a faithful servant of God and humanity, he guided the arc of American society toward the promise of the American dream,” the President noted.
Highlighting Jackson’s connection to Africa, Tinubu described him as “a great friend of Nigeria and Africa,” praising his opposition to apartheid in South Africa and his role in advocating for the release of Nelson Mandela.
“He was a moral voice and a formidable opponent of apartheid, playing a leading role in the campaign for the release of Nelson Mandela and other African National Congress leaders,” Tinubu said.
The President also recalled Jackson’s involvement in Nigeria’s political history, particularly during the years of military rule.
“During the dark era of military dictatorship in Nigeria, Reverend Jackson stood for human rights and the restoration of democratic governance,” he said, adding that Jackson also served as Special Envoy to Nigeria and Africa, appointed by former US President Bill Clinton.
President Bola Tinubu lauded Reverend Jesse Jackson for his lasting message of hope and resilience, saying his legacy will continue to inspire future generations.
“Reverend Jackson lived a remarkable life as a strong voice for the universal ideals of justice and human progress… He wanted us to ‘keep hope alive,’” Tinubu’s statement read.
He concluded by praying for the peaceful repose of the late activist’s soul.
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