The late Kofi Annan was, without doubt, Africa’s gift to the world, Governor of Gombe State, Dr. Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, said on Saturday evening. “As Secretary-General of the United Nations, the second African but the first black man to hold that position, Annan was the perfect advertisement copy for the African heritage of diligence, resilience, brilliance, humaneness and all the virtues that make up impeccable character. On his watch, the world witnessed but survived terrible wars, violent disagreements and catastrophic disasters. He managed all with uncommon grace and unparalleled brilliance,” Dankwambo said in his tribute.

He noted that “the Nobel Peace Prize awarded Annan and the UN he headed was testimony to his place in history as the man who diligently tended the world as a sacred garden, saved it from the ravages of unreason and made it a better place for all. Out of office, he remained committed to the welfare of all humanity and dedicated himself to providing joy for those in distress, irrespective of their colour or creed, hope for the hopeless and a future for those whose present circumstances would have made a mess of their tomorrow. He was the international servant who went beyond the call of duty to truly serve humanity.”

Dankwambo, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential hopeful, lamented that “Africa has lost one of its most illustrious sons,” adding: “Humanity has lost perhaps its most diligent and most masterly tending hands. May Kofi Anan’s soul rest in peace.”