Edmond Ronoh, AfricaNews reporter in Nairobi, Kenya
The life and works of Nobel Peace Prize winner Prof. Wangari Maathai is being celebrated across the world and an award in her honour being presented Thursday at the Food and Agriculture Organisation's Committee On Forestry (COFO) and 3rd World Forestry Week in Rome, Italy. The late Prof. Maathai passed on in Nairobi Hospital on 25th September 2011 after losing a bravely borne battle with cervical cancer.
The celebrated environmentalist won hearts of many for her love and dedication to the environment, a fight she fought till her passing. She won the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize for her relentless and passionate efforts to save the environment, making her the first woman in Africa to win the Nobel Prize.
The Postal Corporation of Kenya unveiled a new postal stamp in her memory during the first memorial service since her death. The service, held on Tuesday at the Green Belt Movement offices, brought together family and friends and top government officials. Kenya’s Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka attended the celebrations.
The PM in recognizing Prof. Wangari’s role in the advancement of peace and democracy in Kenya, urged more women to emulate the late professor by being proactive and more to vie in upcoming General Elections.
“I Raila Amolo Odinga as the Prime Minister of Kenya pledge to do everything in my power to promote peace in Kenya, Africa and the world,” said the Prime Minister after he and the Vice President were made to pledge to work for peace by the Green Belt Movement officials.
Meanwhile, tree-planting activities are being planned in Washington DC at Wangari Gardens, a 3 acre piece of land opened recently with a mission to celebrate her legacy. The event to be held this Saturday is hosted by the Kenyan Embassy in Washington, Africa Diaspora Association and Casey Trees. Kenya’s President Hon. Mwai Kibaki who’s in New York for the 67th session of the United Nations General Assembly is expected to attend.
The first ever winner of the Wangari Maathai Award was announced today in Rome, Italy in the culmination of the Third World Forestry Week (WFW) celebrations that saw a Nepalese, Narayan Kaji Shrestha scoop the $20,000 worth award. The week long celebrations kicked off on 24th and will be ending on 28th September. The award was established this year by the Collaborative Partnerships on Forests to celebrate Maathai’s environmental efforts.
The life and works of Nobel Peace Prize winner Prof. Wangari Maathai is being celebrated across the world and an award in her honour being presented Thursday at the Food and Agriculture Organisation's Committee On Forestry (COFO) and 3rd World Forestry Week in Rome, Italy. The late Prof. Maathai passed on in Nairobi Hospital on 25th September 2011 after losing a bravely borne battle with cervical cancer.
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