"It is better to help a friend pay his fine, than tell a lie to
help him cover a crime." - Nigerian proverb.
It was literally a life-long ambition, and I used every opportunity to
meet the old man in person. I was finally in a position to press buttons and
call old friends to render favours, and in early 2007 I succeeded. I was told I
could see Mandela for only 30 minutes at his home, but I needed to get there
one hour earlier. Colleagues I had leaned on were skeptical that I would see
him despite the appointment, particularly since I will not say it was official.
An old South African friend and course mate from South Africa who helped,
suggested I asked questions or matters I wanted to discuss with him and send
them in advance. I did not think that was the type of meeting I wanted, so I
did not.
Mandela was surprised when he was told I worked at the Nigerian Ministry
of Foreign Affairs, but had spent 6 months trying to see him to pay my personal
respects. Why did you not go through your colleagues here? I told him the visit
was not official. I just wanted to meet him. He relaxed and apologized that it
had taken that long for me to see him. Others left us, except a lady who sat
discreetly away from us. I thought she was a medical person.
