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Tributes to Tajudeen
RSS FeedThe inspiration of Tajudeen Abdul-Raheem
Daily Trust
2011-06-02, Issue 532
Nigeria's Daily Trust commemorated the second anniversary of Pan-Africanist Tajudeen Abdul-Raheem's passing on 25 May with a special memorial supplement, featuring contributions from Okello Oculi, Kole Shettima, Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, Horace Campbell, Aderemi Oyewumi and Nengak Daniel Gondyi. Read the articles here.
A Cuban postcard for African Liberation Day
Daisy DÃaz
2011-05-26, Issue 531
Daisy DÃaz, executive secretary of Cuban-African Friendship Association, sent Pambazuka readers this postcard, commemorating both African Liberation Day and the second anniversary of the passing of Pan-Africanist Tajudeen Abdul-Raheem on 25 May.
Tajudeen’s truth
Aaron O'Dowling-Keane
2011-05-25, Issue 531
25 May is both African Liberation Day and the anniversary of the sad passing of Tajudeen Abdul-Raheem. Aaron O'Dowling-Keane reflects on Tajudeen’s bold and intelligent insights, his steadfast commitment to Pan-Africanism and the esteem with which he was held.
Two long years without the boss
Sonny Onyegbula
2011-05-25, Issue 531
Sonny Onyegbula pays tribute to Tajudeen Abdul-Raheem some two years after his passing on African Liberation Day.
Hauwa Memorial College: A dying legacy
Evelyn Osagie
2011-05-26, Issue 531
As you arrive at Hauwa Memorial College (HMC), Funtua, Katsina State, you are welcomed into its classrooms with these quotations: ‘Today's struggle is tomorrow's success’; ‘Better die in a quest than be a coward’; ‘A gentleman without policy is like education without certificate...’ and more written by the students. But the words are not the only things that catch your attention. HMC, Funtua, is is in a state of abject disrepair and two years after its founder's death, the place is under the threat of closure, writes Evelyn Osagie
Remembering Tajudeen: Speaking truth to power
Walter Turner and Horace Campbell
2010-05-25, Issue 483
In an interview for the Africa Today programme on KPFA [mp3], Walter Turner speaks to Horace Campbell about Tajudeen's immense contribution and the challenges for a revolutionary world. Campbell is the author of the foreword to the new Pambazuka Press book 'Speaking Truth to Power', a compilation of Tajudeen's weekly Pan-African Postcards.
Into the new millennium: Righting past wrongs
Tajudeen Abdul-Raheem and Assumpta Oturu
2010-05-25, Issue 483
As part of a Spotlight Africa radio programme broadcast last Saturday 22 May, Assumpta Oturu introduces excerpts of Tajudeen's thoughts on Pan-Africanism, African history and his wishes for Africa in the new millennium. The audio programme is available at http://tinyurl.com/2w6fkfe [mp3].
A day for Tajudeen’s truth and Africa’s power
Dana Wagner
2010-05-26, Issue 483
The death of Tajudeen Abdul-Raheem one year ago was marked on Tuesday 25 May in Nairobi with the launch of 'Speaking Truth to Power', a collection of his Pan-African Postcards. His legacy was manifest amidst Africa Day celebration and debate. Images from the day accompany this article.
'A true Pan-African leader'
Review of 'Speaking Truth to Power: Selected Pan-African Postcards'
Amir Demeke
2010-05-25, Issue 483
In the week of the anniversary of the first year of Tajudeen Abdul-Raheem's passing, Amir Demeke reviews 'Speaking Truth to Power', a compilation of Tajudeen's weekly Pan-African Postcards. Describing the book as 'a well-balanced meal', Demeke stresses: 'For those who read for enlightenment, find a copy of the book and turn on the light.'
Revisiting tributes to Tajudeen
2010-05-26, Issue 483
With 25 May 2010 marking the first year of Tajudeen Abdul-Raheem's passing, the Pambazuka News team would like to draw our readers' attention to the wave of tributes we received in the wake of his tragic accident. These tributes feature as comments on an article entitled 'Tajudeen Abdul-Raheem: a giant is lost on African Liberation Day', as well as responses to Tajudeen's final Pan-African Postcard, 'City beautification is destroying livelihoods'.
Happy Africa Day!
Akwasi Aidoo
2010-05-26, Issue 483
Some say "African Unity Day" Some, just "Africa day" Whatever your choice, here's to a freer, safer united Africa of our dreams! And, let's re-member our dear Taju. The broda who chose this day. He spoke words with spirits that grew and sta...
Tajudeen Abdul Raheem: a giant is lost on African Liberation Day
Firoze Manji
Pambazuka News
2009-05-25, Issue 434
www.justiceafrica.org25 May is Africa Liberation Day. What a day to be woken in the early hours of the morning with the terrible news that one of the leading proponents of Africa's liberation – Tajudeen Abdul Raheem should be so tragically lost in a senseless car accident in Nairobi. Messages have been pouring in from across the world as we all fail to hold back our tears at this loss.
Tajudeen led Justice Africa's work with the African Union since its early days. He combined this with his role as General Secretary of the Pan-African Movement, chairperson of the Centre for Democracy and Development, the Pan-African Development Education and Advocacy Programme, and was a fighter in the struggle to get the UN's Millennium Development Campaign to support meaningful programmes. There was hardly a pan African initiative that took place without Tajudeen's inimitable presence, support, humour and perceptive political perspectives. Quite how he managed to combine all of this with writing his weekly 'Pan African Postcard' that were published regularly in Pambazuka News and in several newspapers including The Monitor (Uganda), Weekly Trust (Nigeria), The African (Tanzania), Nairobi Star (Kenya) and the Weekly Herald (Zimbabwe), has always been a mystery to us. You could always rely on Tajudeen to draw our attention to the most significant aspects of the latest political event in Africa - just as you could rely on him to provide guidance and encouragement during hard times, restoring in us the courage for the longer struggles ahead for emancipation of the continent.
Tajudeen's departure leaves a massive hole in all our lives. We all need to grieve the loss of this giant of a man. But if his life is to mean anything, we must follow his call in the signature line of his every email – 'Don't agonise, Organise!'
As part of our tribute to Tajudeen, comrade, brother and fighter of Pan-Africanism, Pambazuka News invites you to send messages of condolence and tribute either by email to editor AT pambazuka.org or add your comments below.
Tajudeen's last Pan African Postcard: City beautification is destroying livelihoods
Tajudeen Abdul-Raheem
2009-05-25, Issue 434
The irony of Africa being a very rich continent but Africans being some of the poorest peoples in the world is no longer lost on anyone. While we can argue about the historical, structural, attitudinal, personal and institutional causes of this state of affairs the fact remains that majority of our peoples remain in need amidst plenty. Decades of Aid, humanitarian intervention, prayers, activism, development plans, action plans, government declarations and so many other initiatives have not produced fundamental change for the poorest and weakest sections of our societies, writes the late Tajudeen in his last Pan African Postcard.