Tribute to my hero: Fidel Castro of Cuba

“I will be 90 years soon. Soon I will be like others. The time will come for all of us,” Fidel Castro, April 19, 2016.

Sir: Fidel Castro gave his valedictory speech to Cubans on Tuesday, April 19, 2016, and on Saturday, November 26, 2016, his passing was announced. Fidel was larger than life. He was a prominent global figure till death and will remain so for a long time after his death.

The Cuban Revolution was a great event and inspiration for many freedom fighters around the world. Fidel Castro showed the world that no force on earth can defeat a determined people. His influences were felt across the world. He sent Cuban forces to fight in Angola, in order to stop the forces of White apartheid rule there. He trained many freedom fighters. He was instrumental to the African National Congress (ANC’s) sustained struggle against white domination.

He was a revolutionary per excellence. He transformed the Cuban society, gave free education and healthcare. As a result, Cuba has one of the highest levels of literary rates and life expectancy in the world.

Fidel Castro opposed America. As such, Cuba was under the worst economic blockade for over 50 years. But at the peak of this blockade, Cuba exported over 30,000 doctors as medical aid to other developing countries. They exported over 20,000 teachers to other Latin American countries for various teaching assistance.

Watching Fidel Castro speak has always been my delight. I have lost count of the number of his speeches that I have watched. Simply can’t get tired of watching him. His aura and charisma are infectious.

He will continue to live in the hearts and minds of people. His legacies speak for him. According to John F. Kennedy (former American President), “A man may die, nations may rise and fall, but an idea lives on.”

Fidel Castro’s ideas will live forever. To that extent, he is not dead.

Michael Adeniyi