... Kofi Annan’s Contributions To Global Peace Will Remain In History – Buhari
... Kofi Annan dedicated life to global peace, others – Obasanjo
Former United Nations Secretary-General, Koffi Annan has died at the age of 80.
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His foundation made the announcement in a statement on Saturday morning.
Mr Annan who was also a Nobel Peace Prize winner died in Switzerland after a brief illness.
The statement which read in part said, “It is with immense sadness that the Annan family and the Kofi Annan Foundation announce that Kofi Annan, former Secretary General of the United Nations and Nobel Peace Laureate, passed away peacefully on Saturday 18th August after a short illness”.
The United Nations Chief Antonio Guterres has expressed sadness over the passing away of his predecessor, calling him “a guiding force for good”.
Mr Guterres in a statement said, “Kofi Annan was a guiding force for good.
“In many ways, Kofi Annan was the United Nations. He rose through the ranks to lead the organisation into the new millennium with matchless dignity and determination,” he added.
Mr Annan was the first black African to take up the role of the world’s top diplomat, serving two terms as the UN Secretary-General from 1997 to 2006.
Kofi Annan’s Contributions To Global Peace Will Remain In History – Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari has mourned the death of former Secretary General of the United Nations (UN), Kofi Annan.
In a telephone call to President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana on Saturday from London, President Buhari commiserated with the government and people of the country on the passing of the former UN scribe.
President Buhari said all Nigerians and ECOWAS member countries share in the deep loss, considering the strategic influence of the deceased in global affairs and his vision for the repositioning of the West Coast and Africa.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, he said Annan’s origin and home would always be traced to Ghana, but his exceptional leadership roles, humanitarian spirit, and contributions to global peace and development would remain permanent in the history of the entire world, especially the efforts to combat HIV/AIDS in Africa and launch of the UN Global Compact.
The President recalled that Annan was the first elected staff of the United Nations to lead the world organisation and first African to win the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize jointly with the United Nations.
He said the humility, nobility, and love for humanity by the former UN scribe set him apart for global greatness, achieving recognition and commendation for the reform of the United Nations’ bureaucracy and multiple interventions to bring peace to the world.
President Buhari condoled with the wife of the diplomat, Nane Maria Annan, as well as his family members, the staff of the United Nations, and the global organisations he was heading, like ‘The Elders’ which was founded by Nelson Mandela.
He prayed that the Almighty God would comfort Annan’s family and all his loved ones.
Mr Annan died on Saturday morning at the age of 80 in Switzerland after a brief illness.
Kofi Annan dedicated life to global peace, others – Obasanjo
A former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has described the late former United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan as an African and global statesman, who dedicated his life to democracy, stability, security, equity, and world peace.
In his condolence message on Saturday, Obasanjo remarked that these attributes culminated in not only his appointment as UN’s Secretary General in 1997 but also in his well-deserved honour with a Nobel Peace Prize in 2001 for having revitalised the world body and for giving priority to human rights.
Obasanjo’s message, which was contained in a press statement personally signed by him, but made available to journalists by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, in Abeokuta, declared that Annan’s death was received with shock.
The statement partly read, “I received the shocking news of the demise of former United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, with deep sadness at the loss of a brother and friend.
“I commiserate with the Annan family, particularly Mr. Annan’s widow – Nane Maria – and their children Ama, Kojo and Nina; the Government and People of Ghana; the Secretary-General and staff of the United Nations; and indeed all lovers of peace and progress across the world on this great loss.”
Obasanjo added that he remembered Annan “as a global statesman who dedicated his life to democracy, peace, stability, security, equity, justice, human rights, development, and progress, which culminated in not only his appointment as United Nations Secretary-General in 1997 but also in his well-deserved honour with a Nobel Peace Prize in 2001 for having revitalised the United Nations and for giving priority to human rights.”
The former President noted further that, “as we mourn Kofi, it is important that all men and women of goodwill come together and work towards sustaining his legacy especially through support for the Kofi Annan Foundation and the Africa Progress Group, which succeeded the Africa Progress Panel, both of which he led very ably in his life time.”
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