President Bola Tinubu has honored the late Dr. Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma, the founding President of Namibia, calling him a warrior who inspired Nigeria and other African nations to join the fight for his country’s independence.
Nujoma, a highly respected leader, played a pivotal role in guiding Namibia to independence and leading the country toward democracy and stability. He passed away on February 8, 2025, at the age of 95, after being hospitalized in Windhoek for several weeks due to illness.
During a state burial ceremony at Heroes’ Acre in Windhoek, Namibia, on Saturday, President Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, expressed that Nujoma’s passing is not the end but rather a testament to his enduring legacy in the hearts and minds of Africans.
Alongside several African Heads of State, President Tinubu joined Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba to pay tribute to the late leader.
Tinubu praised Nujoma as more than a national hero, describing him as a warrior who defied oppression and inspired the entire continent. He emphasized that Nigeria was actively involved in Namibia’s struggle for independence, saying, “When the world turned its back, we stood. When your voice was drowned by the guns of apartheid, we spoke.”
The Nigerian leader highlighted that their presence at the state burial was not merely to mourn the loss of a man but to honor a lasting legacy. “We have come to enshrine a legacy. We have come to salute a life that was lived not for itself, but for the people, for the land, for the ideals of freedom. For him, Africa stands still today.”
Tinubu further celebrated Dr. Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma as not just the founding father of Namibia but a warrior who fought against oppression during a time of immense struggle. “He looked into the face of oppression in the most dangerous time to do so and declared that no African shall ever be a second-class citizen on his own soil.”
