Service of Commemoration for Everest Selby
Date: 18 Jun 2007
Speaker: Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon
Location: London, UK (Marlborough House)
One of the greatest privileges of being Commonwealth Secretary-General is to have, working alongside us here, some of the finest minds – in fact, some of the finest people – in the Commonwealth.
It is a constant source of inspiration, and I hope of humility, as I watch gifted people – often quite young people – bringing their gifts to the world …. trying, however they can, in any way they can, to make it a slightly better place.
Some I know very well; some I know in passing; all of them I admire for their great commitment.
Our colleague Selby – with us here at the Secretariat for just four short months from January to May this year – was one of those.
I feel that I have come to know Selby, through the warmth, respect and love with which his family, friends and colleagues speak of him.
The things that shine brightest are the quality of his mind, and his qualities as a person.
I think of the strength and sincerity of his Christian faith ….
I think of the poise and purpose clear in his education ….
… Selby was an old boy of Mfantsipim school in Accra – Kofi Annan is another of the alumni – Selby was elected by his peers to run a hall of residence of 500 boys.
I think of the rigour of a fine legal mind, and a passion for justice….
… Selby was not only one of the best Ghanaian lawyers of his generation, but he chose to pursue that law where he most wanted to see it applied: in the field of human rights.
I think of the good cheer of a friendly and dignified man….
… joining his compatriots for a sandwich lunch here in Marlborough House, and making new Secretariat friends in the Social Club on a Friday night. Always with a smile whenever I passed him.
And I think of a man with a mission…
… inspired by the prospect of his first Secretariat mission, ready to work with his fellow Africans. In Cameroon, on prison reform; in Swaziland, on the role in government of the judiciary.
Selby’s country Ghana is 50 this year. The beacon for Africa has become a beacon for the Commonwealth, sending out its civil servants, its lawyers, its teachers, its soldiers, its musicians and artists – all bringing their own skills and their spirit wherever they go.
The present-day gold of the former Gold Coast is its people: and Ghana gave us Selby – a nugget of pure gold.
That’s why – in our loss now, and in all our solidarity with Selby’s mother Mrs Matilda Selby, his brothers and sisters especially Kwamena, Kobina and Empress here with us today, and with all those who loved him – I believe that we should celebrate Selby and his great life – his gifts, his dedication, his legacy.
You would all remember the words from the Sermon on the Mount in St Matthew’s Gospel: ‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.’
While he was with us, he shone like the star of the Ghanaian flag. Now, he is on another shore, basking in a greater light.
How fitting to end with the Mfantsipim school hymn, ‘For all the saints, who from their labours rest…’, which is so well known and loved by us all.
‘Soon, soon to faithful warriors comes their rest’, it says. ‘Sweet is the calm of paradise the blessed.’
We thank God for Selby.
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Service of Commemoration for Everest Selby
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