Buhari, Saraki,Dogara Mourn Former UN Scibe, Kofi Annan

LAGOS AUGUST 18TH (NEWSRANGERS)-President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the government and people of Ghana over the passing of former UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, in the early hours of Aug. 18.
A statement issued by Mr Femi Adesina, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, in Abuja on Saturday, said Buhari had earlier called President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana from London, to register his condolence.
President Buhari said all Nigerians and ECOWAS member countries share in the deep loss, considering the strategic influence of the former scribe in global affairs and his vision for repositioning the West Coast and Africa.
The President acknowledged that Annan was the first UN staff to lead the organisation, he was also a co-recipient of the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize with the UN.
He noted that Annan’s humility, nobility and love for humanity set him apart for global greatness, achieving recognition and commendation for the reform of the UN’s bureaucracy and multiple interventions to bring peace to the world.
President Buhari said Annan’s origin and home will always be traced to Ghana, but his exceptional leadership roles, humanitarian spirit and contributions to global peace and development will remain indelible in the history of the entire world.
He particularly lauded his efforts to combat HIV/AIDS in Africa as well as the launch of the UN Global Compact.
The President also sent condolences to the wife of the diplomat, Nane Maria Annan and his family members, staff of the UN and the global organisations he was heading, like The Elders, which was founded by Nelson Mandela.
President Buhari prayed that the almighty God would comfort his family and all his loved ones.
In the same vein, the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki has described the death of former Secretary General of the United Nations (UN), Koffi Annan, as the end of a golden era in global politics and international relations.
Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Mr Yusuph Olaniyonu, described the late Annan as a quintessential African diplomat on the global plane and a citizen of the world.
He said the deceased deployed his vast capacities to tackle intractable global challenges ranging from hunger, conflict, epidemic and restoration of peace in war torn countries.
Saraki noted that many developing nations benefitted immensely from the humanitarian efforts of late Annan as he was able to raise the concerns and challenges confronting “forgotten peoples and nations in the Assembly of world powers.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, has described the death of former UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan as a huge loss to Africa and humanity.
Reacting to the news of demise of the former UN chief scribe via his official Twitter handle @YakubDogara, on Saturday, Dogara said the late Annan had etched his name on the sands of time as a true son of Africa.
He also described the late Annam as a quintessential leader and accomplished diplomat, who dedicated his life time to the progress of humanity.
Dogara added that the late Ghanaian diplomat was a true global ambassador, who used his life to promote peace across the world.
“It is with a great sense of loss that I received the news of the passing on of former secretary general of the United Nations, Mr Kofi Annan.
“Even with the awareness that death is an inevitable end, also for great men, it does not reduce the feeling of loss with which I received the news of Kofi Annan’s death.
“His contributions to the advancement of the human race will never be forgotten.
“My heartfelt condolences to his family, Ghanaian government and the global community; May his soul find eternal rest in peace,” Dogara said.

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