The Governor of Gombe State, Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, has described the death of former United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, as a great loss to Africa and the entire world. He stated this in a tribute mourning the passing on of the celebrated diplomat.
The statement reads:
The late Kofi Annan was, without doubt, Africa's gift to the world. As Secretary General of the United Nations, the second African but the first black man to hold that position, Anan 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. 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. Africa has lost one of its most illustrious sons. Humanity has lost perhaps it's most diligent and most masterly tending hands. May Kofi Annan's soul rest in peace.
Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo