News
Death robs Africa of scholar and believer in continent
Dr Tajudeen Abdul-Raheem at a past function. He lost control of his car as he drove to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to catch a flight. Photo/FILE
Posted Monday, May 25 2009 at 20:33
In Summary
- A Pan-Africanist, he died in a road crash on the day the OAU was formed in 1963
Death has robbed Africa of one of its most illustrious sons.
Dr Tajudeen Abdul-Raheem, a leading Pan-Africanist, died on a very important day in the world calendar — Africa Liberation Day.
This is the day on May 25, 1963, when leaders of 32 independent African States met to form the Organisation of African Unity.
On this day, the world reflects the growth and development of Pan-Africanism to which Dr Abdul-Raheem had dedicated almost all his life.
A prolific writer and an outspoken debater, the Nigerian political scientist was convinced that Africa and its people were capable of solving their own problems.
The United Nations Millenium Campaign deputy director for Africa, died in a road accident on Monday as he drove to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Ms Sylvia Michuli of the Millennium Campaign offices in Nairobi said Dr Abdul-Raheem lost control of his car near General Motors. He died at about 2am as he was being taken to hospital.
He was heading to Rwanda where he was scheduled to attend a conference on maternal health and thereafter meet President Paul Kagame.
Veteran journalist Salim Lone, who worked closely with Dr Abdul-Raheem at the UN, told the Nation that “no one in his generation was as vibrant and impassioned about Africa as Dr Abdul-Raheem.”
“He was Africa. His intellectual depth and knowledge about its place in the world were unmatched,” Mr Lone said.
A leading intellectual and a believer in a united Africa, he made a friend in every president on the continent.
Mr Ezra Mbogori, Dr Abdul-Raheem’s long-term friend, said the political scientist believed in providing information that is useful in making meaningful decisions.
“He believed that Africa will achieve its dreams. His death on the Africa Liberation day makes a statement,” he said.
Laughed off quarrel
Dr Abdul-Raheem laughed off the quarrel between Kenya and Uganda over Migingo Island.
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Submitted by wangukabugiPosted May 27, 2009 12:14 PM
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Submitted by vinrouge94
What a tragic story. May God comfort the family and friends of the late Dr Abdul Raheem. May the spirit of all he stood for live on; and for those who never had the opportunity to meet or work with him, such as myself, may we make an effort to learn what he was all about and honour his memory in that small way.
Posted May 27, 2009 11:09 AM -
Submitted by Timetoquestion
Tooooooo heavy to understand the chances of him going off the road in Kenya of all places. It is not even his residing place. Shame on roads ministries exploded MP salaries and the likes that cannot seem to get their act together to make something work correctly in the country with deadly infrastructure.
Posted May 26, 2009 07:17 PM -
Submitted by vgogero
Its a pity to have lost such a great pan Africanist .We should try and keep his words as a fitting tribute and also study his works and emulate them .As for his advice on pan Africanism what is the way forward.
Posted May 26, 2009 03:10 PM -
Submitted by baronkhamadi
It is sad that great men and women die at a time when they are desperately needed. It would however be justice to him if people who believed in him and his works continue to work for the betterment of our beloved continent. May the Almighty rest his soul in eternal peace. LONG LIVE UNITED STATES OF AFRICA!
Posted May 26, 2009 09:28 AM
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The New Mombasa Motorway, lets call it... is a nightmare. Ok, traffic is faster... but road is mostly still unmarked. Then the Pedestrians! Only last week, i missed a young lady by a whisker... And Someone keep off Capital Centre turn-in into Uchumi from Bellevue...Is it likely that the owner of the Centre has encrouched on road reserve? The decceleration is a joke, and the acceleration exit is non-existent!