Tribute To Kofi Annan

On a personal note, I have long admired his adventurous spirit, one that he encouraged in me and others, to seek divergent career paths that ultimately would make for a better employee, and a better organization. He himself had taken a circuitous route to his role as leader of the world’s most important global body, and he left a strong mark. Long after Mr Annan left, he was spoken of fondly by staff who remembered not just his work, but his calm, intellectual personality that was a much-needed influence in the organization.
The last time we met was in January, earlier this year.We joked, we laughed, and his sage advice and blessing gave me a personal boost as I sought to wade into Nigerian politics as a presidential candidate. He was thrilled, and he said he thought it was time that capable younger men and women such as myself took over the leadership of important countries like Nigeria.

In my tribute, I wrote that his was a “life of consequence”, not merely because he, like, Nelson Mandela, had achieved the feat of projecting a positive role model for black African excellence like few others had, but because he also sought to change the world—and did.

Like millions of people around the globe, I will miss this great man. My sympathies and condolences go out to his family, his wife Nane Annan, his children, and to the people of Ghana who have lost a well-respected elder statesman.

Kofi Annan chose, and chose a life well-lived. May his soul rest in perfect peace.