A Unifying Foundation
To speak of Master Naba in such a small time, in so few lines is a mission impossible, as this man has marked our lives and placed us on a righteous path. For him it would take several weeks and several pages to give him any justice if I am not to deflate my testimony. I will not cite his many qualities and virtues for fear of forgetting some. I simply remember the humble man he was, the high he had for life, the love he demonstrated for his people and the profound sense of solidarity without any ulterior motives he exemplified. To me he remains a worthy and true descendant of the ascendants of this glorious Merita.
Master Naba was a dazzling shooting star who crossed the dark sky of our existence. His high knowledge of historical truths paired with his quality and honesty allowed us to learn without discrimination. Today, we have been sentenced to a life of borrowing and mimicry; we are subject to history but not active subjects in history; and he has bluntly given us this awareness. I say with conviction, that he took us out of the dark corridor of ignorance, he exposed the complexities that have man humiliated and defeated by an oppressive and exploitative sys- tem. When one hears statements such as "God is great" about the God of the white man from the black man's mouth, it is saddening. It is the manifestation of an inferiority complex. In following the "White Man's" God we become white ourselves, and Black is left to be inferior - not even deserving to be cited.
Master Naba stated, the surest way to colonise someone is to focus his interests on you. Master Naba with his wisdom gave us access to our dignity and the dominion of our minds. Neb Naba initiating a new student into the Kem culture at the graduation of the Hasati Generation. The fight for the redemption of our people is not a black struggle against white. No... it is the long struggle of all humans of all shades against an exploitative system and its crimes promoting ignorance and stifled progression. It is a system of hypocrisy, like the cat who plays with the mouse that will soon be devoured It is the dog that seeks the bone and not the bone who seeks the dog, our ancestors said. Now it is for us who have eaten at the table with Master Naba, who have shared the drinking bowl with him, to become the vectors of ancestral force to counter the current colonial propaganda in order to bring together again our brothers and sisters who have strayed down wrong paths. They will not have to expect that bones should look for dogs. We will now have to sleep the sleep of the crocodile who appears sleeping with his eyes opened as a precaution. We must not give up, but move cautiously with the knowledge that Master Naba has supplied. Master Naba did the most difficult part: he laid foundations. We must continue to work them well with the assistance and protection he now provides from beside our ancestors. For we know that "the Dead are not dead": they are in the World of Wsr.
Motivation, dedication and tenacity will now be the watchwords of our titanic struggle. So we pay heartfelt homage to Master Naba....