Be sure you know the condition of your flocks; give careful attention to your herds; For riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations. Proverbs 27; 23 - 24

So many of the mails and calls I received indicated a popular belief in my predictions earlier in the year that, 2008 would be that of "Verdict and Fulfilment". Those seeking redress on justice anywhere in the world would get justice, those whose country is in cry of true democracy would get it, amongst others, especially those seeking job opportunities and means of livelihood would get it.

Thus as keen international political observers watched the turn of events in Cuba, as had been seen in Indonesia, the Cuban leader's announcement of his retirement, and eventual handover to his brother Raul did not come as a surprise. I for one had recently told my friends who visited me for dinner in my village at Igbere, that, no body should expect anything less during the transition of a world-acclaimed revolutionary leader and dictator.

Fidel Castro's bearded trademark would make his face unforgettable, having become an iconic image worldwide. Yet the man himself remains an enigma to all except a few. Since he assumed office in 1959, Castro had elicited both praises and condemnation locally and internationally. His admirers see him as charismatic, fearless, forthright and the best thing to have happened to Cuba, while his opponents characterize Castro as a dictator, stressing that he has not risen to power through open, public elections, and some contend that his rule is illegitimate because the socialist system itself was not established through what they consider to be legal means. However, the unanswered question is, does Fidel Castro's exit offer Cubans a long awaited chance for democracy and prosperity, or does it mark the end of an era in which Cuba experienced an unprecedented success.

In his letter of retirement which left many stunned, "I will not aspire nor accept-I repeat 1 will not aspire or accept- the post of President of the Council of State and Commander-in-Chief." Thank God he lived to see his transition of power, no apologies to ill health and old age palaver which he admitted, thus stating that "it would betray my conscience to take up a responsibility that requires mobility and total devotion that 1 am not in a physical condition to offer".
Raul Castro, Cuba's new President who had hitherto held sway as acting president since his elder brother fell ill in July 2006, was named president by the one-party state's National Assembly and is acclaimed to continue the economic programmes of his predecessor.

No doubt, he would be willing to enact limited economic reforms in a country where people struggle to eke out a living. However, 1 believe that the Cuban people are tired of same system and same people, therefore, would have wished that the Castro system would come to an end. This type of authority, based as it is on a combination of fear and respect, cannot be passed down to his successor Raul Castro. The Cuban people are abreast of the fact that communism has aggravated all of Cuba's basic material problems to the point of desperation.

Basic necessities of life, like food, housing, drinking water, transportation, electricity, communications and clothing. Not to mention the below average health care system and lowly rated educational system. It is catastrophic to have left out the educated younger politicians who were eager and yearning for a change in the communist dictatorship. The fact that these educated youths in Cuba express their desire for change and their dissatisfaction with a system bent on having the majority of Cubans live miserably. The country cannot continue as an outdated anachronistic, collectivist economy run by one family.

Therefore, to have handpicked Raul as the successor is a wrong move because at 75 years, his age is a liability, let alone his lack of charisma and inability to command respect like his predecessor. Raul lacks the strength of character and command which his predecessor Fidel had, which earned him his nickname EI Commandante or Commandant.

However, let's x-ray the life of Fidel Castro as a strong president who exercised power for almost half a century and the roles he played in correcting the government which he overthrew. Fidel Castro was born in 1926 in a sugar plantation, in the modem day province of Holuin. The father, Angel Castro was relatively prosperous through work in the sugar industry while the mother Lina Ruz Gonzalez, who was a household servant.
Historians would agree with me that Castro was not baptized until he was eight years old, which is rare, thereby bringing embarrassment and ridicule from other children. When he was twelve-year-old, he wrote a letter to President Franklin Roosevelt, expressing admiration and asking for a $10 bill. He wrote: “If you like, give me a green American ten dollar bill, because I have not seen a ten dollar bill," and concluded the letter thus: "Thank you very much. Good Bye. Your friend, Fidel Castro."

Furthermore, Castro was formally recognised by his father when he was 17, when his surname was legally changed to Castro from Ruz, his mother's name. Castro got admitted into the-University of Havana in 1945 when the campus was run by armed thugs. He had often noted that his attending the university was more dangerous than waging guerrilla wars. Notwithstanding his below average performance in school, Castro had a distinguishing similarity with some former dictators here in Nigeria, primary of which is "remarkable memory". The remarkable memory of remembering those who offended you while in school and taking revenge on them one after the other, when you are in a position to serve the country. Although I would not like to waist my page today on Nigeria's vindictive leaders and their perceived schoolmates opponents, it is another topic for another day. For now, let's finish with the subject- Fidel Castro.

As a Law student, Castro's academic interests were politics, sociology, history and agriculture. While his political activism took shape, he rose as a student leader which his participation led to his exposure at home and abroad. He became so much committed to the activism, that he was alleged to have been involved in skirmishes in Bogatazo in Colombia. The students were caught up in the violence and chaos rocking the city, picking up rifles and roaming the streets chanting anti-United States songs and distributing materials stirring-revolution. However, when was haunted by the Colombian authorities for his role in the riots, he took refuge in the Cuban Embassy and was flown back to Havana. No doubt, the experience garnered in the effects and powers of popular insurrection exposed Castro and influenced his subsequent political thoughts in his country, Cuba.

After all his exploits as a student leader and his marriage in the late 1940's, Castro understood the methods, images, and stakes of Cuban politics. In 1951, he was a leader in the growing populist political movement led by the Ortoxdoxos, an anti-Communist nationalist group promising major social, economic and political reforms, and expecting to gain the presidency through electioneering.

However, as Castro planned to run for Congress, Fulgencio Batista, the military strong man in Cuba since 1933, overthrew the constitutional government. In reprisal to the unconstitutional act, Fidel Castro and many Orthodoxos who had expected to win in the botched elections began to organize an insurrection. Castro landed himself in prison when the attack failed, but the movement he organized drew the attention of the world. He proved to be a skilful political and military strategist, when after being granted amnesty, he organised the movement from the Sierra Maestra Mountains and formed a parallel government, carried out a mini-agrarian reform, established controlled territories with agricultural and manufacturing production, set up a radio station, and even created a small air force.
On assumption of office, Castro proved to be a good orator.

He was persuasive and a moving speaker, who had the affection and support of the population. He became a factor in defining the future direction of the revolution. The acceptability and popularity of the revolutionary regime unleashed a process of social radicalization, of which Castro became the major spokesman. His public speaking was the work of a craftsman who understood and used well the psychology of Cubans. One author gave credit to him thus "rare oratorical virtuosity." He educated, instructed, explained, criticized, persuaded and attacked. His style of oratory attempted to inspire confidence, to stir movement and action.

In all of these, we can deduce that for close to fifty years, he stood as a colossus over the affairs of Cuba. Indeed, he ruled Cuba with an iron hand and even when other communist empires and Latin American countries were collapsing, bidding farewell to communism, Fidel was able to hold on to his chosen path much to the chagrin of the United States.

Notwithstanding the only 90 miles distance ftom the United States, it's still amazing how the governance shrouded in secrecy was sustained for 50 years. Though it is not that the bastion of democracy and police of the world had not tried to remove him, but I think the US had just got to accept the hard nut that refused to crack to get old and crack at his own time. However I believe the wisdom behind the waiting could be seen with the recent handover to 75 years old Raul Castro.
I believe African leaders have a whole lot to learn from the happenings globally. There is no life bereft of freedom and the ability to chart your destiny. Little wonder the people of Cuba were unhappy because they could not contribute to how they should be governed. No open criticism of the government or its policies were allowed. Political dissents were severely punished.

Thus just like any communist nation, Cuba remains a closed society in so far as people's ability to vote in free and fair elections were hindered by any means. For the Cuban people to have been held down and their spirits crushed by the boots of one person who believed that his thoughts and actions were sacrosanct and beyond question these past 50 years is pitiable, although crushed dignity one day can be revived.

I admire his courage and action-oriented nature. This character can be traced to his childhood, and has remained with him to the present day. I equally admire his determination, strong character and persistence. Castro conveys the image of the strong willed who refuses to give up. Even his opponents concede that he is bright and very intelligent. However , person who is afraid of the contest of free ideas or who believes that his views alone must prevail, no doubt betrays the fidelity of his leadership thereby depicting infidelity and creating a great deal of harm to his people.

Nevertheless, it is my concern for African leaders to learn especially from the mistakes of those who had been opportune to lead their countries, irrespective of continent. It makes me weep when questions of all manner of bad things arise from our continent. When questions of inability to resolve our own crisis, questions of underdevelopment, questions of poverty, question of AIDS and other diseases like Malaria & Polio and the question of managing the God-given resources etc continue to beg for answers. The answer remains that our continent is still battling with true leadership. True representatives of the people and until we get them right, unanswered questions would persist.