STATE STATUE
ADEKEYE ADEBAJO: Nigerians fume as ‘great warrior’ Zuma looms over city
‘Flamboyant, eccentric governor Rochas has been defiant about criticism of Zuma’s statue, arguing that he is trying to attract foreign investment to his state’
During a visit to Lagos this month, I witnessed strong reaction from Nigerians to the erection of a R19m, 25m bronze statue of President Jacob Zuma. The flamboyant, eccentric governor of Nigeria’s south-eastern Imo state, Owelle "Rochas" Okorocha, had conferred this honour on Zuma in the state capital of Owerri, as well as naming a street after him, giving him the state merit award and honouring the South African leader with a traditional chieftaincy title of Ochiagha ("great warrior"), with Zuma resplendent in colourful royal regalia, a red cap, beads and a staff of office. Unfortunately, the ceremony coincided with SA’s Supreme Court of Appeal decision to reinstate 783 counts of corruption against Zuma, leading to loud protest from Nigerians at what many saw as the honouring of an ethically challenged figure.Nigerian pundit Reuben Abati complained that Zuma’s presidency "has been scandal-ridden, from allegations of abuse of office to a personal life characterised by much burlesque...
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