celebrity radar - gossips
Nelson Mandela: The Immortal Voice of African Unity, Justice and Freedom
Nelson Mandela: The Immortal Voice of African Unity, Justice and Freedom.
Written and Compiled by George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com
“It is in your hands to create a better world for all who live in it.” ~ Nelson Mandela
On this day, celebrated globally as “Nelson Mandela International Day”, we are reminded of the enduring legacy of a man whose life was dedicated to justice, reconciliation and the rebirth of a continent long battered by colonialism, division and systemic oppression. Mandela was not just a South African icon; he was a towering figure of African hope and a symbol of what moral leadership truly looks like in the face of brutality and brokenness.
His voice still echoes across the plains of Africa, calling for unity, tolerance, dignity and self-reliance. Born on July 18, 1918, in the small village of Mvezo in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, **Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela** rose from a rural boyhood to become the face of global resistance against apartheid. His journey (from lawyer to revolutionary, prisoner to president) was marked by an unyielding belief that **Africa could be better, freer and united.** — ### **Mandela’s Quotes: A Moral Compass for Africa** Nelson Mandela’s speeches and writings were not merely inspiring; they were instructions for rebuilding broken nations and restoring the African dignity.
His words were weapons against division and tools for reconciliation. “I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities.” This quote, from his famous *Rivonia Trial* speech in 1964, encapsulates the very heart of Mandela’s mission not just for South Africa, but for all African nations riddled with inequality. Mandela envisioned a continent where race, tribe and religion would no longer be instruments of oppression but markers of diversity and strength. “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Mandela believed that Africa’s future was tied to its schools, not its armies. Today, as many African leaders prioritize infrastructure over human development, Mandela’s words remain a timely reminder that “true transformation begins in the classroom”, not just the boardroom.
“We must use time creatively and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right.” Africa has wasted too many years in the hands of greedy leaders who think leadership is a license to loot. Mandela challenges every African president, senator, governor and councilor: *Do the right thing—now.* — ### *Mandela the Reconciler: Unity in Diversity* Mandela’s greatness lies not just in his resistance, but in his *forgiveness*. After 27 years of incarceration, many expected revenge. Instead, Mandela *CHOSE RECONCILIATION*, helping to heal a nation deeply divided along racial lines. His presidency (1994–1999) focused on building bridges, not walls. “Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.”
Mandela taught Africa that courage is not in guns or speeches, but in forgiving those who hurt us and uniting with those we disagree with. He did not just forgive his jailers, he invited them into his government. *That is leadership. That is Mandela.* “No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, his background or his religion.” This quote must be printed in every classroom across Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Sudan and South Africa. Tribalism, xenophobia and religious bigotry are Africa’s modern-day chains. Mandela urged us to “SEE HUMANITY before ETHNICITY”, to value CHARACTER above CLAN. *Mandela on Leadership: Africa’s Cry for Integrity* In a continent plagued by corruption, Mandela’s life offers a stark contrast. “A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination.” Mandela proved that leadership must come with both intellect and empathy. Today, too many African leaders rule with heads cold as stone and hearts hard as steel. Mandela showed that “COMPASSION is not WEAKNESS”; it is power, rightly used.
“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others.” This is the question every African politician must ask themselves daily. Are you adding value or extracting it? Mandela’s leadership was sacrificial; he lived not for his own comfort, but for the empowerment of his people. *Mandela and the Youth: The Guardians of Tomorrow*. “The youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow.” In Mandela’s world, young people are not future leaders they are *PRESENT STAKEHOLDERS*. Across Africa, the youth make up over 60% of the population, yet are often marginalized. Mandela challenged the status quo and encouraged youth to rise intellectually, morally and politically. He did not just speak about youth empowerment; he invested in it. Today, initiatives like the *Nelson Mandela Foundation* and the *Mandela Rhodes Foundation* continue to GROOM AFRICAN TALENT, offering scholarships, mentorship and leadership training. “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” This quote is the fuel that has kept many African startups, grassroots movements and civil rights campaigns alive. From Nigeria’s EndSARS protests to youth-led climate justice movements in Uganda, Mandela’s words remind us that “RESISTANCE BIRTHS POSSIBILITY”. Mandela on African Solidarity: A United Front. “We can change the world and make it a better place. It is in your hands to make a difference.” Mandela didn’t see African nations as isolated islands.
He believed in continental unity, a brotherhood beyond borders. His support for anti-colonial movements across the continent, from Zimbabwe to Angola, proves this. In an era where African governments still rely heavily on foreign aid and international validation, Mandela’s life reminds us that “SELF-DETERMINATION” is the only path to lasting freedom. As he said: “I dream of an Africa which is in peace with itself.” Mandela’s Legacy: What Africa Must Learn, 1.) Forgiveness is not weakness, but strength in its purest form, 2.) Unity must override tribalism, religion and race, 3.) Leadership is a call to serve not an opportunity to steal, 4.) Education, not war, is the future of Africa, 5.) Youth empowerment must be more than slogans.
Final Thoughts: Mandela Is Not Dead. Nelson Mandela died on December 5, 2013, but his ideas did not. He lives in the dreams of every child who wants to go to school, in the chants of every protester who demands justice, in the hands of every African leader who still believes that power is for service. “Death is something inevitable. When a man has done what he considers to be his duty to his people and his country, he can rest in peace.” Yes, Mandela has earned his rest; but we who remain must work. Africa owes it to Mandela (and to itself) to rise beyond divisions and build the continent he saw in his dreams. Let today, “MANDELA DAY”, be more than a moment of memory. Let it be a day of ACTION, EDUCATION, and REFLECTION. Let us ask: What would Madiba do? And are we ready to do the same?
— **Written and Compiled by George Omagbemi Sylvester** *Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com*
celebrity radar - gossips
Kingdom Advancement: God Does Not Confirm Lies or Gossip — He Confirms His Word .” — Dr. Chris Okafor
Kingdom Advancement: God Does Not Confirm Lies or Gossip—He Confirms His Word
“When Doing Business with God,
People’s Opinions Do Not Count.”
— Dr. Christian Okafor
The greatest investment any Christian can make is partnering with God. According to the Generational Prophet of God and Senior Pastor of Grace Nation Global, Christopher Okafor, when a believer commits to serving and advancing God’s kingdom, no barrier, lie, gossip, or blackmail can prevail against them.
This message was delivered during the Prophetic Financial Sunday Service held on February 15, 2026, at the international headquarters of Grace Nation Worldwide in Ojodu Berger, Lagos, Nigeria.
Doing Business with God
Teaching on the theme “Kingdom Advancement” with the subtitle “Doing Business with God,” Dr. Okafor emphasized that when a believer enters into covenant partnership with God, divine backing becomes inevitable.
“God is still in the business of covenant,” he declared. “When you make a covenant with Him, He honors the terms. When you win souls into the kingdom and remain committed to His work, He rewards you with what you could never achieve by your own strength.”
The Man of God stressed that God does not confirm lies, gossip, or negative narratives—He confirms His Word. Therefore, anyone genuinely committed to kingdom business should not be distracted by public opinion.
“No matter the blackmail or falsehood circulating around you, if you are focused on God’s assignment, those attacks will only strengthen you,” he stated.
He further noted that a believer’s understanding of God’s covenant determines their experience. “Your mentality about God’s covenant becomes your reality. When you truly know the God you serve, no devil can move you.”
Biblical Examples of Kingdom Partnership
Dr. Okafor cited several biblical figures who prospered through their partnership with God:
Abel
Abel served God with sincerity and offered his very best. His sacrifice pleased God, demonstrating that when a master is honored, he responds with favor.
David
David’s heart was fully devoted to God, and in return, God’s presence and favor rested upon him throughout his life.
Hannah
Hannah made a covenant with God, promising that if He blessed her with a child, she would dedicate him to His service. After fulfilling her vow, God rewarded her abundantly, blessing her with additional children.
Peter
Peter, a professional fisherman, surrendered his boat at Jesus’ request for kingdom work. Through that act of partnership and obedience, he experienced supernatural provision and divine elevation.
Conclusion
In closing, Dr. Okafor emphasized that one’s approach to God’s covenant determines the level of success and prosperity experienced. Commitment to kingdom advancement secures divine confirmation and supernatural results.
The Prophetic Financial Sunday Service was marked by prophetic declarations, deliverance, healings, miracles, restoration, and solutions to diverse cases presented before Elohim.
At 55, Omoyele Sowore Remains a Defiant Voice of Conscience
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG
“SaharaWeeklyNG Management and Staff Salute a Relentless Campaigner for Justice and Democratic Accountability.”
As activist, journalist and politician Omoyele Sowore marks his 55th birthday, the management and staff of SaharaWeeklyNG join millions of Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to celebrate a man widely regarded as one of the most persistent and fearless voices for democratic accountability in modern Nigeria.
Born on February 16, 1971, in Ondo State, Sowore rose from student activism at the University of Lagos to become one of the country’s most recognisable pro-democracy figures. His early involvement in the student movement during the military era of the 1990s placed him at the forefront of protests against dictatorship and repression, a role that would shape the course of his life and career.
He later founded Sahara Reporters in 2006, an online investigative platform that quickly gained prominence for exposing corruption, abuse of power and human rights violations. Operating initially from the United States, the outlet became a symbol of citizen journalism and digital activism, publishing stories often ignored or suppressed by mainstream media. Over the years, the platform has reported on high-level corruption cases, electoral malpractices and security failures, earning both praise and fierce criticism from political authorities.
Sowore’s activism took a dramatic turn in 2019 when he contested Nigeria’s presidential election under the African Action Congress (AAC). Although he did not win, the campaign amplified his calls for systemic reform. Months later, he launched the #RevolutionNow movement, a nationwide protest demanding an end to corruption, economic hardship and insecurity.
In August 2019, he was arrested by Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) on charges of treasonable felony. His detention, which lasted several months despite court orders for his release, sparked international condemnation from human rights groups, civil society organisations and foreign observers. The case turned him into a global symbol of resistance against state repression.
Over the years, Sowore has faced multiple arrests, court trials and travel restrictions. Yet he has remained resolute, insisting that his activism is rooted in the constitutional right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. Supporters describe him as a principled crusader against injustice, while critics accuse him of political extremism. Regardless of the perspective, his impact on Nigeria’s political discourse is undeniable.
His life’s work echoes the enduring words of Nelson Mandela, who once said, “Freedom is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” For many of Sowore’s followers, his sacrifices represent precisely that spirit, an unyielding struggle for a more accountable and equitable society.
Similarly, the philosophy of Martin Luther King Jr. (that “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”) resonates deeply with the trajectory of Sowore’s activism. Whether confronting police brutality, electoral irregularities or economic injustice, he has consistently framed his struggle as one for the collective dignity of Nigerians.
Nigerian Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka once observed that “the man dies in all who keep silent in the face of tyranny.” That sentiment captures the essence of Sowore’s public life. For over three decades, he has refused silence, even when it meant imprisonment, harassment and personal sacrifice.
At 55, Sowore’s journey is far from over. He remains active in political advocacy, civil rights campaigns and public commentary, continuing to challenge what he describes as systemic failures in governance and leadership. His career reflects both the promise and the peril of dissent in a fragile democracy; where the line between patriotism and confrontation is often fiercely contested.
On this milestone birthday, SaharaWeeklyNG management and staff recognise Sowore not merely as an individual, but as a symbol of the enduring struggle for transparency, justice, and democratic renewal. His story is one of conviction under pressure, a reminder that the quest for a better society often demands courage, resilience and a willingness to stand alone.
As Nigeria navigates its complex political and economic realities, figures like Sowore continue to shape the national conversation. Whether praised or criticised, his voice remains a constant in the country’s democratic journey; loud, uncompromising and impossible to ignore.
Banwo Accuses Alex Otti Administration of Governance by Propaganda
Public commentator and lawyer Dr. Ope Banwo has criticised the Abia State Government under Governor Alex Otti, accusing the administration of running what he described as a “propaganda-driven government” built on exaggerated claims and selective messaging rather than measurable governance outcomes.
In a detailed commentary, Banwo argued that while Abia State has recorded some progress in specific sectors, the government’s media machinery has inflated limited achievements into what he called “statewide miracles,” creating a disconnect between online narratives and lived realities.
Banwo, who said he initially viewed Governor Otti as a symbol of hope following the 2023 elections, noted that his concerns emerged after engaging residents and professionals living in Abia to verify widely circulated claims about infrastructure, power supply, healthcare, and transportation.
Central to Banwo’s critique is the portrayal of Abia as a state with uninterrupted electricity. He acknowledged the existence of the Aba ring-fenced power arrangement involving Aba Power and Geometric Power but argued that the arrangement has been misrepresented as statewide energy independence.
According to him, extending the Aba power project to represent the entire state amounts to misinformation, especially given acknowledged outages and the limited geographical coverage of the scheme.
He further questioned claims that Abia was the first state to assume intrastate electricity regulation, stating that other states, including Lagos State, had taken similar steps earlier.
Banwo also raised concerns over viral claims suggesting that biogas facilities are already powering Abia communities, arguing that pilot projects have been prematurely presented as fully operational infrastructure.
He noted that residents he spoke with were largely unaware of any functional biogas-powered communities, stressing that government announcements should be backed by publicly available data on scale, output, and sustainability.
On healthcare, the founder of Naija Lives Matters (NLM) questioned reports that Abia offers free medical care to all citizens above 60 years of age for life, describing the claim as unverified and unsupported by legislation, budgetary provisions, or formal policy documents.
Similarly, he criticised claims suggesting that electric vehicles operate widely across the state and that all roads have been tarred, describing such assertions as exaggerated and misleading.
The self-acclaimed Mayor of Fadeyi argued that the core issue is not the absence of development but what he described as a governance style driven by social media optics rather than transparent performance metrics.
He warned that excessive reliance on viral content, influencers, and unverified claims risks eroding public trust and undermining accountability, noting that effective governance requires data, timelines, and measurable outcomes.
“A serious government does not need to exaggerate results,” Banwo said, adding that citizens require reliable services, not slogans.
He also advised the Abia government to avoid constant comparisons with states like Lagos and its governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, urging the administration to focus instead on publishing verifiable performance records.
Banwo challenged the Otti administration to release clear documentation supporting its claims, including power coverage maps, healthcare policy instruments, infrastructure project lists, and implementation timelines.
He concluded that while Abia State has not “collapsed,” the growing gap between online narratives and on-ground realities could become more damaging than infrastructural deficits if left unaddressed.
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