President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has joined world leaders and citizens of the United States of America in mourning the death of legendary civil rights activist and Baptist preacher, Jesse Jackson, who passed away at the age of 84.
In a statement released by the Presidency on Tuesday, Tinubu described Reverend Jackson as a “servant-leader” who dedicated his life to the struggle for justice, dignity, and equality for Black people and the oppressed across the world. He noted that Jackson rose to global prominence as a young activist alongside Martin Luther King Jr., championing the cause of civil rights in the United States and beyond.
The President recalled that despite his background as a preacher and political organiser, Jackson became a national and international symbol of resistance against social and economic injustice. “Along with other compatriots, Reverend Jackson carried on the unfinished business of Martin Luther King Jnr in the noble fight for racial justice in the United States,” Tinubu said.
Reflecting on his personal encounters with Jackson’s work, Tinubu said he witnessed the cleric’s impact while studying in Chicago in the 1970s. According to him, the city served as a major battleground for Jackson’s campaigns against discrimination. He noted that the late activist “pointed the arc of American society to the great promise of the American dream.”
Tinubu also credited Jackson’s lifelong advocacy with paving the way for historic political milestones, including the election of Barack Obama as America’s first Black president. “When Barack Obama broke the glass ceiling as the first Black President in America, it was Reverend Jackson who first inflicted the cracks on the ceiling in 1984 and again in 1988,” he said, referencing Jackson’s presidential bids under the Democratic Party.
Beyond the United States, the Nigerian leader highlighted Jackson’s deep connection with Africa and his opposition to apartheid in South Africa. He recalled that Jackson played a prominent role in campaigns for the release of Nelson Mandela and other leaders of the African National Congress, as well as in securing international sanctions against the apartheid regime.
Tinubu further noted that during Nigeria’s era of military rule, Jackson stood firmly in defence of human rights and democratic governance. He served as Special Envoy to Nigeria and Africa under former US President Bill Clinton between 1997 and 1999, helping to strengthen diplomatic and democratic ties.
According to the President, Jackson also worked to connect African leaders with the Congressional Black Caucus, thereby advancing Africa’s interests in Washington and promoting good governance across the continent.
Describing Jackson’s life as “remarkable,” Tinubu said the late cleric remained a powerful moral voice even in old age and ill health. “Even as age and illness mellowed him, his voice still resonated, urging us never to stop fighting for what is right and never to lose faith in humanity,” the President said.
He added that Reverend Jackson consistently encouraged people around the world to “keep hope alive,” a message that remains relevant in today’s global struggle for justice and equality.
Tinubu concluded by offering prayers for the departed icon, saying: “May the great and noble soul of Reverend Jackson find eternal rest.”