I Would Rather Be Me: .....A Timely Decision to Enact a Timeless Change. In Honor of the Legacy of Nelson Mandela

By Erewa Kelvin Mene

There are too many a number of leaders around the world who happily and openly subscribe to Nelson Mandela's legacy of ethnic resolution, but vehemently contend with modest changes that would challenge lingering insufficiency and groaning discrimination.

In addition, I Would Rather Be Me is a {10} chapter book designed to honor the living legacy of President Nelson Mandela.

His impact in the lives of people around the world is strongly expressed and presents a unique perspective. In accordance, much of the language is quite vivid and distinctive.

The author has a unique voice which incorporates a number of very specific figures of speech, some of which are persuasive.

It is highly colorful and imaginative.

This book is a profound and exclusive testimony to the life and times of a very great and venerable man whose transactions on earth had positively and creatively influenced millions including the author of this book.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu Publishing Services
• Release date: Aug 20, 2019
• ISBN: 9781684707195

Book preview

MENE

Copyright © 2019 Erewa Kelvin Mene.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted by any means—whether auditory, graphic, mechanical, or electronic—without written permission of the author, except in the case of brief excerpts used in critical articles and reviews. Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this work is illegal and is punishable by law.

ISBN: 978-1-6847-0720-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-978-941-452-9 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-6847-0719-5 (e)

Publisher Name: Mental Urge LLC

Publisher Address: 17B, Razak Okyoa, Lagos-Island, Lagos-Nigeria

Publisher Phone #: [phone]

Legal Name:Mentail Urge LLC

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

References

The Nelson Mandela Foundation - www.nelsonmandela.org

South African History - www.sahistory.org.za

The Johannesburg Bureau

Office of the Press Secretary - The White House

http://www.openarmsmalawi.org

iol (Independent OnLine) – A Tribute to Nelson Mandela - http://www.iol.co.za/

Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela

Lulu Publishing Services rev. date: 07/09/2019

DEDICATION

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Thursday December 5, 2013 will remain evergreen in my memory for two historic events, the first of which happens to be my birthday, and the second was the exodus of one whom I consider a titan of no vain repute, a fine gentleman whose life and times remain an eloquent expression of true leadership in all its ramifications.

I wrote this book in honor of Dr. Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela {July, 18 1918–December 5, 2013}. I salute your refusal, against all odds to hate and become embittered. You were a man of your word; you fought for the people’s interest at your own expense, with great doggedness but at same time wearing an unassuming nature. In consequence, your transactions on earth will remain a lesson to leaders around the world that a leader is first and foremost a servant, so that the people’s concerns come first. These, I must say, are vital leadership attributes.

However, I dedicate this book to leaders and those who aspire to occupy any leadership office, around the world regardless of creed, affinities, political views, dogmas, or skin coloration. The words inscribed in this manual have been informed by the life and times of Dr. Nelson Mandela, as a signal to stimulate those vital qualities of leadership each of you possesses but might not be privy to, with the result that they have become rusty through disuse. Also, I beckon for you to make a timely decision to enact a cognizant and timeless change within your geographic or administrative jurisdiction, by spending less energy on chanting accolades only to legends—let’s say, in this case, Dr. Nelson Mandela—but also to take on various responsibilities like Dr. Nelson Mandela did. In other words, I call upon you look deep down within yourself and get to work.

PLATINUM SPONSOR

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I do express my heartfelt appreciation to {Elder, Felix Ohiwerei} - Officer of the Federal Republic of Nigeria {OFR}

Chairman Emeritus - Nigerian Breweries, PLC

Founder - Felix Ohiwerei Foundation

Recipient of the {Order of Orange Nassau} by the Queen of the Netherlands.

The list is endless…….. for bankrolling the entire publishing process from start to finish.

I will forever remain grateful.

SPECIAL MENTION

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I must say a titanic "THANK YOU" to the designer of this terrestrial-ball called earth who neither sleeps nor slumbers, for the reason that He’s got His eyes all over me, in a bid to ensure I become everything He has configured me to become. You were the source of my energy all through the process of writing this book and will always be.

Elder, Felix Ohiwerei {OFR}

I also appreciate The Nelson Mandela Post-Presidential Office {Johannesburg-South Africa}for its immense support toward the success of this auspicious project, which in the past was a dream but now has become concrete reality.

The Metropolitan, Paul Adefarasin {Founder, House on the Rock}

Mental Urge Incorporated where I serve as Founder.

Printemps Frais Company Limited

Mr & Mrs. Chidi Ibuoka

Engr. Solomon Abu {Retired} British Petroleum BP

I must salute also, my biological father Mr. Friday Mene for those words of encouragement and support, which still ring bells in my ear till the present day. You were a fine and nobleman given to decency and decorum. You taught me never to consider myself higher than my next door neighbor. May your soul Rest in Peace.

I acknowledge my maternal grandmother, Mrs. Mary Tseke, who, when I was a kid still in nursery school, my crèche Model Centre was only a stone’s throw from your house. I still can recall that during break period, I would go visiting with you where I was treated to your culinary skills. Back in the day you served cow tail – pepper soup and ripe plantain. On other occasions, it was a bowl of banga soup and starch, moi-moi—given all these choices, I became spoiled. I must confess those Itsekiri and Pan-African delicacies were off the chart. But above all, I candidly appreciate your warm reception. You are a granny who will always sacrifice your personal interests for those of your grandchildren. I love you to pieces and want the world to know this. Rest-on.

THE AUTHOR

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Mr. Erewa Kelvin Mene was born in the city of Warri – Delta State of Nigeria. He hails from the ethnic group in Delta State known as the Itsekiri’s. He is a Christian, computer scientist, poet, graphics designer, essayist with international awards, summit speaker, author, publisher, blogger, and entrepreneur. He operates a publishing company in the cosmopolitan city of Lagos called MentalUrge™, which is the publisher of EMPERORINTERNATIONAL with its international nerve-center in the city of Lagos, Nigeria where he occupies the office of Editor in Chief/Founder.

He is a Global Ambassador with the International Young Leaders Assembly {IYLA} Washington USA.

A Task Force member with the Peace Child International {PCI}. London, United Kingdom. He was amongst the few leaders across Africa and its Diaspora commissioned and saddled with the responsibility to put-together the Conakry-Rabat Commitment for Governments, Policy Making Institutions across Africa.

As a delegate at the African Union {AU} Youth Commission he played a significant role during the course of the Agenda 2063 {The Africa We Want} Youth Consultations. African Union {AU} Head Quarters. Addis Ababa - Ethiopia.

An affiliate of the Youth Alliance for Leadership & Development in Africa {YALDA}, Addis Ababa - Ethiopia.

He receives invites to make presentations in high-powered summits around the globe which includes but not limited to, ‘’Global Peace Convention’’ / ‘‘South America Presidential Summit’’, Asuncion-Paraguay. November-2014.

Global Youth Peace Fest {GYPF} 2017, Chandigarh-India.

The North-East Asia Forum on Youth Volunteerism to Promote Participation- Development and Peace, organized by the Asia-Pacific Peace and Development Service Alliance (APPDSA). Mr. Erewa was billed to make a presentation in this event, as part of the session on Corporate Social Responsibility , by providing a case study on successful implementation in areas of his concern and for future cooperation as part of the APPDSA. 26 May 2015, in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

He humbly submits that he chooses to be an integral part of the transformational process of his motherland Nigeria, from a developing nation to a technologically advanced state, a country whose citizenry would be proud of their homeland and also find opportunities in it. He believes strongly that the improvement of any nation is not the exclusive prerogative of its government, but that the populace has a major role to play.

Saddled with the task, he has undertaken to bestow a trans-generational legacy not only to his generation but to generations unborn through the provision of Motivation Education Aspiration Transformation {MEAT}. He accepts as true that everyone was born into this terrestrial-ball called earth, as an anonymous individual but must not exit unidentified, not in a bid to show-off but as a byproduct of one’s cognizant quest to leave a timeless signature behind, and by so doing, wipe a tear off the face of a society weighed down by the peril of injustice and negligence.

He bears in his library of wisdom nuggets the insight that "the most expensive monument a man or a culture can build are not architectural phenomenon like the Burj Arab or Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the