Former U.N. Secretary and Nobel Peace Prize winner Kofi Annan has passed at age 80. In a statement issued by his family it was said that “It is with immense sadness that the Annan family and the Kofi Annan Foundation announce that Kofi Annan, former Secretary General of the United Nations and Nobel Peace Laureate, passed away peacefully on Saturday 18th August after a short illness. His wine Nane and their children Ama, Kojo and Nina were by his side during his last days”.
Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2001, he was the first black African to head the United Nations, and led the organization for two successive five-year terms beginning in 1997