The late President Nelson Mandelas resilence and his commitment to peace, reconciliation and social justice are values that endeared him to people, Nobel Llaureate Prof. Wole Soyinka said yesterday.

The literary giant said Mandelas name inspired doggedness and compassion, adding that his principles will remain a guide for people seeking freedom from oppression.

Soyinka spoke at an event with the theme:Mandelas vision of end to poverty: Reflection and way forward, organised by the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in collaboration with the United Nations Association of Nigeria to mark the Nelson Mandela International Day.

The dramatist said the late anti-apartheid icon personified the idea of humanism. He added that Mandelas selflessness, generosity and sense of humour gave him out as an embodiment of state of total freedom for which every human being crave to attain; a state the Nobel Laureate described asMandeland.

He said: Nelson Mandela was stubborn but he was not dogmatic. His stubbornness and determination make me conclude that this man embodied a certain Never-Never Land, an imaginary perfect world which all of us strive to attain.

We cannot attaint this perfect land, but it is sufficient to know thatMandelandexists and we must internalise thisMandelandand become citizens of Mandelas own Never-Never Land.

The playwright said the best tribute anyone could pay to the memory of the late Mandela was to promote the values and ideas, which he represented.

Soyinka added that Mandelas resolve to entrench peace and unity among all ethnic nationalities in post-apartheid era permanently healed the wounds of oppression to which South Africans were subjected.

Explaining why the United Nations got involved in marking Nelson Mandela International Day yearly, the UNIC Information Officer, Dr. Oluseyi Soremekun, who represented the UN secretary general, said the first black South African presidents dedication to the culture of freedom and conflict resolution prompted the UN General Assembly to pass a resolution in recognition of Mandelas principle.

Soremekun said the theme of the event was in line with the first item of the UNs Sustainable Developmental Goals (SDGs), which is to end poverty.

He said: We must seek to continue building on Mandelas legacy of fighting poverty through commitment to ensuring social and economic inclusion in the society. Madiba was a model global citizen, whose example continues to guide people towards building a just and peaceful world.

Former Nigerias Ambassador to Australia Ayo Olukanni, noted the role played by Nigerian youths and students in fighting the apartheid regime in South Africa, describing the effort as worthy. He called for mass action against poverty, saying the effective implementation of the SDGs would promote all ideals espoused by the late Mandela.

The Consul-General of South Africa High Commission in Lagos Mr. Darkey Africa, who described poverty as a man-made phenomenon, said Mandelas struggle would not be in vain if governments of African countries initiate sustainable programmes against poverty and conflicts.

The event featured discussion and performance of South African cultural dance.

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Mandela personified humanism, says Soyinka - The Nation Newspaper