President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the death of American civil rights icon and Baptist preacher, Jesse Jackson, who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 84.
In a State House statement, the President said he joined the government and people of the United States of America, as well as the global community, in mourning the revered activist.
Tinubu described Jackson as a servant-leader who, as a young activist, worked alongside Martin Luther King Jr. in the struggle for racial equality and human dignity. He noted that Jackson dedicated his life to advancing the rights of Black Americans and other marginalised groups, becoming a global symbol of resistance against injustice and discrimination.
Reflecting on his time as a student in the 1970s in Chicago, the President said he witnessed firsthand the impact of Jackson’s activism in the city where many of his defining civil rights battles were fought. He commended the late cleric for consistently championing social and economic justice and for inspiring generations to believe in the promise of the American dream.
The President also acknowledged Jackson’s historic bids for the U.S. presidency in 1984 and 1988 under the Democratic Party, describing them as pivotal moments that paved the way for the eventual election of Barack Obama as the first Black President of the United States.
Beyond the United States, Tinubu praised Jackson’s longstanding ties with Africa, highlighting his vocal opposition to apartheid in South Africa and his advocacy for the release of Nelson Mandela and other leaders of the African National Congress. He also noted Jackson’s support for sanctions against the apartheid regime.
The President recalled that during Nigeria’s years of military rule, Jackson stood firmly in defence of human rights and democratic governance. He further cited Jackson’s appointment as Special Envoy to Nigeria and Africa by former U.S. President Bill Clinton in 1997 and 1999, describing his diplomatic engagements as instrumental in strengthening democratic values across the continent.
Tinubu said Jackson would be remembered as a powerful moral voice who urged humanity to “keep hope alive,” even in the face of adversity.
He prayed for the peaceful repose of the late civil rights leader’s soul and extended condolences to his family, associates and admirers worldwide.
