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Atiku pays tribute to Wangari Maathai, calls her a dictator’s
nightmare
Newsdiaryonline Tue Sep 27,2011
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said the death of
Africa’s first woman Nobel Prize winner, Wangari Maathai, has
robbed the continent of a leading voice for justice and good
governance.
In a tribute to the environmental and political activist, the
former Vice President said the late Kenyan Nobel Laureate was
extraordinarily courageous by standing up to African
dictatorships even at the risk of official harassments.
Atiku recalled her struggle against corruption and lack of
accountability by African rulers while the people they led
wallowed in crushing poverty.
“During her life time, she had always insisted that African
rulers must take responsibility for their own failures rather
than blaming colonial powers many long years after independence.
“This extraordinary gut to speak truth to power pitted her
against African dictators but she was never deterred by the fear
of going to jail,” Atiku wrote of her memory.
Describing the late Maathai as a rare African woman, the former
Vice President noted that her courage of conviction made her an
ordinary woman with extraordinary virtues. He wondered how many
Africans could have dared dictators in their dens of absolute
power and risk death or indefinite detention without trial.
He recalled that her agitation reached a point that the Kenyan
government banned her from contesting a parliamentary seat.
Admirably, he said, she didn’t waver in her struggle.
A report by Stephanie Busari, CNN and Emily Wither for CNN
yesterday reproduced below also captured world leaders
mourning the passing of ‘True African heroine’:
World leaders have paid tribute to Nobel Laureate Wangari
Maathai who passed away while having treatment for ovarian
cancer on Monday.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu praised Maathai as a true "visionary
African woman" and called her a "leading voice on the
continent."
He said: "Professor Maathai introduced the idea of women
planting trees in Kenya to reduce poverty and conserve the
environment," in a statement released via his office.
"At last count, the Green Belt Movement she helped to found had
assisted women to plant more than 40 million trees. She
understood and acted on the inextricable links between poverty,
rights and environmental sustainability. One can but marvel at
her foresight and the scope of her success. She was a true
African heroine," the statement continued.
"Our condolences go to Professor Maathai's family, to the people
of Kenya, and to the countless women (and men) across Africa and
the world to whom she was an inspiration."
His views were echoed by former U.N. Secretary General Kofi
Annan who said he was "deeply saddened" to learn of her death.
"She will be remembered as a committed champion of the
environment, sustainable development, womens' rights, and
democracy. Her contribution to all these causes will forever be
celebrated and honored," he said.
"Wangari
was a courageous leader. Her energy and life-long dedication to
improve the lives and livelihoods of people will continue to
inspire generations of young.
"Her award of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004, the first to be
bestowed upon an African woman, rightly underscored the
important nexus in her work between sustainable development,
peace and human security."
Tanzania's President Jakaya Kikwete was among the first world
leaders to celebrate the professor's life.
"Rest in peace Dr Wangari Maathai. A great woman, an inspiration
for many women across Africa, a magnificent visionary and
embodiment of courage," President Kikwete said on Twitter.
Former U.S. vice president Al Gore also paid tribute to Maathai
who he said "overcame incredible obstacles to devote her life to
service?service to her children, to her constituents, to the
women, and indeed all the people of Kenya-- and to the world as
a whole."
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