It’s quite literally a sign of a towering ego.

In the impoverished former Soviet republic of Turkmenistan, the country’s leader built a $12 million monument to himself in 1995. In everything he did, public policy was all about him, and his golden memorial was no exception.

The 95-metre arch of gleaming white marble was commissioned by President Saparmurat Niyazov, and built in the capital of Ashgabat.

Though officially called the Neutrality Monument — and supposedly built to commemorate Turkmenistan’s official stance of independence from all other nations — the structure epitomizes Niyazov’s limitless ego and excess.

Though the monument’s base features a man, woman, and child holding up the arch, representing the country’s separation from evil, the focus point was a 12-metre, solid gold statue of Niyazov himself at the pinnacle, placed on a rotating platform to ensure he was always facing the sun and basking in its glow.

Like I said, it was all about him.

One of the world’s most totalitarian and repressive dictators, Niyazov promoted a cult of personality and imposed his personal views on his country after hand-picking all candidates in a national election, which resulted in a government that declared him President for Life.

He put his name on countless buildings, facilities and even a meteorite. All media became state controlled, and the Academy of Sciences was........

© Sarnia Observer