Thomas Sankara was in his time a remarkable man. Remarkable by many accounts because the words that proceeded from his mouth, the ideas he nurtured in his head, and the actions he publicly displayed portrayed him as a man of exceptional character.
Exception Leader
As president of Burkina Faso in West Africa from 1983 to 1987, he brought a ray of hope, however briefly lived, for his people and the continent.
More than anyone else before him, and dare we say anyone else since his time, he gave Africans a sense of the possible.
Sankara, who seized power at the age of 33, believed in walking the talk. In a time when corruption had just emerged as the new bride which every African leader desired to court. Sankara enforced far reaching economic and social reforms for the benefit of his people.
He held public office holders accountable for wrong doing, discouraged colonial dominance of his country and enabled women to take up key government positions, the first leader to do so in these parts, at the time.
But as is proven time and again, the “upright” is an endangered species.
 Dead yet Living.
Sankara was murdered in cold blood by the man who would become the next president of Burkina Faso. His alleged offense was feeding the people with a “false hope”. Today, Sankara lives on as a legend.
Today, Sankara lives on as a legend.
He up until a few years before his elevation to power was an ordinary citizen of his country, struggling under the pressures of a harsh society. But from the dunghill, emerged a well-mannered man, upright in thought and character.
Age and influence.
At age 33, Sankara lived a life that is today compared with other revolutionary leaders like Che Guevara of Argentina or Malcolm X.
We emphasize that he was only 33! And so,
- what will you be remembered for?
- Does the quality of your character and thought make the immoral uncomfortable?
- Can you boast that people like you, are as endangered as Sankara was?
- What is your excuse for the lowly uneventful life you lead: Age, exposure or opportunity?
It’s up to you.
Let it be said that you lived the best life ever. Let me remember you for the change you bring about…
Click here to read Barack and Michelle  Obama”s speech here and here
