Editorial Suite
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IT WAS not an unexpected development but the world seems to have been taken unwares. Ever since Nelson Mandela was taken to the hospital in June, most people expected that the end had come. But being the fighter he was, he battled death prolonging the final hour for another five months. During this time, many people had forgotten that he was still ill as life moved on and those who were previously keeping vigil outside the hospital where he was taken to, gave up and went home. Just recently, the world was reassured that Mandela was in a stable but critical condition by the government of South Africa.
Despite the fact that death is a necessary end which all human beings must face, when it came for Mandela, the world was shocked and appeared to be reluctant to accept the fact that he had finally exited from this troubled world. Yes, Mandela died December 5. Jacob Zuma, president of South Africa, who looked deflated, in a sombre voice, broke the sad news of the great icon’s death to a bewildered world. Since then, world leaders, activists, public spirited individuals, and all manner of pundits have been paying glowing tributes to a man who deserved it. Mandela was a very principled man who stood for what he believed in and never compromised his belief on the altar of lucre as politicians in Nigeria are wont to do. The editorial board of Realnews considered the weight Mandela pulled in his life time and decided to dedicate our cover stories this week to the life and times of Mandela. The prologue to the cover entitled The Rough Road to History was written by Mike Akpan, editor-in-chief, Nelson Mandela: From Prison to Presidency was pieced together by Maureen Chigbo, editor, while Olu Ojewale wrote the Sunset for Citizen of the World and The Mandela They Know. Life after Politics was written by Anayo Ezugwu, our hardworking reporter and The Prison Years of Nelson Mandela was stringed together by Vincent Nzemeke, our Abuja correspondent. It is a bumper edition. Enjoy it.
Maureen Chigbo
Editor
Email: mechigbo@yahoo.com, mechigbo@realnewsmagazine.net
— Dec. 16, 2013 @ 01:00 GMT
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