Thursday 18 July 2013

Nelson Mandela Day: Community service is best tribute – UN

By BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE
The Secretary General of United Nations, Mr Ban Ki-Moon, Thursday said the best tribute Nigerians and people all over the world can pay Nelson Mandela is to devote at least 67 minutes of their time to community service in marking the Nelson Mandela International Day.
Ki-Moon in a statement said: “This is the best tribute we can pay to an extraordinary man who embodies the highest values of humanity.”
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela
He stressed that the essence of Nelson Mandela International Day is good works for people and the planet, adding that the event is meant to “mobilize the human family to do more to build a peaceful, sustainable and equitable world.”
According to the UN scribe, the United Nations had joined the Mandela Foundation in asking people around the world to devote at least 67 minutes of their time on July 18 to community service. He said; “Nelson Mandela gave 67 years of his life to the struggle for human rights and social justice.
“This year’s commemoration of Nelson Mandela International Day comes at a moment of deep reflection on the life and work of Madiba, as the universally revered leader remains in the hospital.
“As we extend our best wishes to President Mandela on his 95th birthday, let us also give tangible meaning to our feelings of concern by taking action on behalf of others,” he stated.
Ki-Moon, pointed out that at this difficult time for Mandela, UN’s thoughts and prayers are with him (Mandela), his family and all the people of South Africa, saying “we are united in admiration for a giant of our times.”
The theme of this year’s Nelson Mandela International Day is: “Take action, inspire change.”

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