By Benjamin Okezie Kalu.
One of the best gifts to The colonised African continent was the birth of a great son destined to hold the world’s highest office where even the colonial masters and their younger generations would show courtesy to be heard.
Nature is supreme in balancing an unjust weight and Kofi Annan was given for the restoration of the dignity of the colonised . Chief Emeka Anyaoku the Secretary General of the Common wealth and himself changed the narratives that the black man does not know the act of governing or if you like leadership. They led the world to Success not failure, to victory, to great heights . They raised the bar and led with innovations, sound leadership culture and styles consistently copied till date and unequalled on many fronts .
Late Pa. Annan, the first African elected staff of the United Nations led the global body and meritoriously won the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize . An achievement accomplished through strategic thinking , planning and hard work, not nepotism, or corruption. In all these, he was humble and noble with a focused commitment to service without fear or favour, affection or ill will . What a great personality who defined himself not by the colour of his skin or the pains of past colonial history of his continent but by his view of the world he sought to change.
In year 2000, he promoted a global development strategic tool ; the Millennium Development Goals ( MDGs), which impacted the world positively . He gave wheels to the MDGs to succeed and I was privileged to partner with the UN both as a fund raising manager for Australia for United Nations High Commission for Refuges(UNHCR) and later in the Abia State Government as the political head of the Millennium Development Goals advising the State with a road map for the implementation. Today most communities in Bende have the Primary Health centres funded through my MDGs office and supported by the United Nations. Late Pa. Annan used his office to fight HIV/ AIDS diseases around the world .
Unlike other world agencies and their leaders from other continents under scrutiny for wrong doing , an African leader who was wrongly accused, insisted on his innocence and got cleared of any implication of wrong doing while in office. Truly he came out as the Pride of the African Nation. Little wonder he is celebrated the world over even in his death.
Holding the highest leadership office in the world was an inspiration to greater confidence in the minds of the likes of Senator Obama (then), who believed the more in his personal aspiration to lead the biggest nation in the world because he saw black Africans like Pa. Annan do it . Though he was meant to do a tenure, he ended up doing two tenures because he was good at his work.
The message to the youths in his death, is that of an encouragement to start early in the day to pursue your dreams, remain focussed, consistent, patient and yet courageous. Regardless of the difficulties persist and persevere to achieve the greatness reserved in your destinies. Once the chance is given to you make good use of it. It is time to invest your energy in what will reposition the future of our nation, leave the back seat and step forward to be counted both now and later. It does not have to be in politics, in any service area you find your selves, endeavour to make it count like this great African did.
Pa. Kofi Annan will be greatly missed for the roles he played in keeping the world united and developing the African continent as well as helping Nigeria with Chief Emeka Anyaoku the former Secretary General of the Common wealth Nations during the short government of General Abdulsalam Abubarka in 1998 to restore democracy in 1999. Chief Emeka Anyaoku is a living legend who contributed to the democracy we are enjoying today, but how much are we celebrating him, we should celebrate him now not later.
Rest In Peace the “ PRIDE OF AFRICA” . Just like you, we believe in the works of the United Nations and we are supporting her resolutions.
Thanks for leaving a wonderful legacy for the world.
May all his loved ones and associates , accept the condolences of my family and I .
Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Esq.
Bende Federal House of Representatives 2019 Aspirant (APC).
