THE DIRECTOR General of the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), Comrade Issa Aremu, has called for a deliberate effort to recognise and celebrate the achievements of African leaders during their lifetimes to inspire hope among emerging young leaders on the continent.
Aremu, a member of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos, made the appeal in Ilorin on Friday during the commemoration of the 2025 Nelson Mandela International Day (NMID). The event was part of MINILS’ civic engagement initiative to highlight the significance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Aremu emphasised the need for a shift in the African narrative — from an excessive focus on leaders’ shortcomings to a conscious appreciation of their enduring legacies while they are still alive.
The MINILS DG commended the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) for designating July 18 as Nelson Mandela International Day in 2010, encouraging global citizens to honour Mandela’s legacy through 67 minutes of community service — one minute for each year he fought for justice.
Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s first democratically elected black president, spent 27 years in prison resisting apartheid, a systemic crime against humanity.
Aremu urged African nations to emulate the UN by dedicating days to celebrate distinguished leaders who have contributed to nation-building despite formidable challenges.
He praised President Bola Tinubu for his statesmanship in posthumously honouring the late President Muhammadu Buhari’s accomplishments, which Aremu noted were often underappreciated during his lifetime.
According to Aremu, Buhari exemplified selflessness, sacrifice, and incorruptibility in public service, much like Mandela.
Aremu echoed President Tinubu’s tribute, acknowledging that Buhari guided Nigeria through economic recessions and the COVID-19 pandemic with resilience, integrity, and an unwavering belief in the nation’s potential.
According to the Director General, the late President Buhari symbolised selflessness, sacrifices and incorruptibility in public service like Nelson Mandela. He agreed with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that “through the most turbulent times, President Buhari led “with quiet strength, profound integrity, and an unshakable belief in Nigeria’s potential, citing that he navigated the storms of economic recessions and disruptions caused by Covid-19 pandemic. “Contrary to the cliché and dogma that the problem of Nigeria is leadership, the problem is indeed non-appreciation of the visible achievements of the leaders while alive”, Aremu observed.
Addressing this year’s Mandela Day theme: “An End to Poverty and Inequality,” Aremu lauded President Tinubu’s establishment of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which provides tuition and stipends for students in public tertiary institutions, repayable after their National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program.
Aremu described the initiative as transformative, opening doors to higher education for underprivileged students.
Quoting Nelson Mandela, Aremu affirmed” “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” He stressed that such policies align with Mandela’s vision of equity and opportunity for all.
