Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria celebrates Nelson Mandela International Day

The Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria (DSFN) today joined the whole world in celebrating Nelson Mandela 93rd birthday as well as marked the Nelson Mandela International Day in recognition of the United Nations General Assembly that established July 18th as Mandela Day by its resolution A/RES/64/13.

The Nelson Mandela International Day recognizing the contributions of the great son of Africa to democracy, racial justice, reconciliation, and his dedication to the services of humanity.

At the Adegoke Street, Surulere, Lagos State Resource office of the foundation, some staff of the Information Centre of the United Nations (UN) Nigeria visited to join in this year’s campaign and call by the Nelson Mandela Foundation for individuals around the world to donate 67 minutes of their time to changing the world for the better.

According to the team leader, Mrs. Araba Olajumoke, the objective of this year’s celebration of the Mandela Day was to affect humanity.

“The overarching objective is to inspire individuals to take action and in doing so, empower entire communities and build a global movement for good,” she said.
The campaign slogan for this year’s celebration is; Take Action, Inspire Change: Make Every Day a Mandela Day.

While receiving the UN delegation to the foundation, the National President, Mrs. Rose Mordi , said that the children and staff of the foundation were thrilled when they were informed that they would have visitors from the UN coming to celebrate the birthday of Nelson Mandela with them.

“Every African and every right thinking person knows the sacrifice that Madiba Nelson Mandela made for his country and for reconciliation and we are happy to be part of this great celebration. What is happening here today represents the kind of person we are celebrating is; a man that takes every human being to be equally loves and respected. We wish him the best of health as he celebrates his 93rd birthday. We are the Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria will keep praying for him,” she said.

They UN group were led through a tour of the facility by the foundation’s administrator, Mrs. Patricia Peters after which the slide projector presentation about the life, struggle and achievement of Nelson Mandela was shown.
Also, a biographical movie entitled Invictus about the life of Nelson Mandela was shown to the children.

Araba later led the group to do some cleaning of the facility and also the hostel as well as cooked for the children who were evidently happy to be included in the celebration. All the children and members of staff later sang a happy birthday song to Nelson Mandela and wished him many more years to affect humanity the way he has been doing.