I Am Leaving Nigeria As A Hero'‚ Jacob Zuma Gushes After Massive Statue Of Him

I Am Leaving Nigeria As A Hero'‚ Jacob Zuma Gushes After Massive Statue Of Him

South Africa President Jacob Zuma has said he was at a loss for words after a giant statue of him was unveiled in Imo state.

You recall, Nigerians were flabbergasted when everyone woke up last Saturday to a giant statue of Jacob Zuma standing tall in Owerri, Imo state.

Rochas Okorocha‚ billionaire‚ education philanthropist and governor of the Imo State‚ had unveiled the bronze statue, named a street after Zuma, conferred him with a chieftaincy title and then the highest Merit Award in Imo state during his two-day visit to Nigeria which concluded on Sunday.

According to the Imo state government, Zuma's visit to Nigeria and to the state was to “strengthen socio-economic relations and deepen cooperation in education.”

Speaking about his visit, Zuma said he was at a loss for words:

“I walked in here‚ as I say‚ as an ordinary freedom fighter. I’m leaving Nigeria‚ through the state of Imo‚ as a hero. What a decoration.”

The giant statue of Jacob Zuma in Owerri, Imo state had sparked outrage among Nigerians who, according to Okechukwu Nwanguma‚ national coordinator of the civil society Network On Police Reform in Nigeria (NOPRIN)‚ were not informed about the statue.

“We just woke up to the news of the unveiling of the statue.”

Zuma's two-day visit to Imo state happened just as South Africa's Supreme Court ruled that he should face corruption charges.

Local media reported that the cost of the humongous statue Rochas erected for Jacob Zuma was around 520million Naira -- equivalent to $1.4 million.