Remembering the Late Prof. Wangari Maathai

The world this week is remembering Africa’s first woman Nobel Laureate with much celebration and adoration for her contribution to the environment and peace.

In memory of Prof. Maathai who passed on 25^th September 2011, the inaugural Wangari Maathai Award ceremony was held on Thursday at the Food and Agriculture Organization’s headquarters in Rome, Italy.

The award launched by the Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF), presented the award to Narayan Kaji Shrestha from Nepal.

Speaking at the award ceremony, FAO Assistant Director-General for Forestry said, “Narayan Kaji Shrestha’s work captures the spirit of Wangari Maathai.” The forest activist also received a cash reward of $20,000.

In Kenya, the celebration of the iconic woman has also been going on with the Postal Corporation of Kenya unveiling a new Wangari Maathai postal stamp on Tuesday during the first memorial service at the Green Belt Movement headquarters. In-attendance was the Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka who pledged to promote peace.

In US, a memorial tree-planting event is in preparation at the Wangari Gardens in Washington DC. The Kenyan Embassy in Washington together with the Africa Diaspora Association, Casey Trees, Green Belt Movement, and Park View are the hosts of the Saturday’s event.

H.E President Mwai Kibaki who is attending the 67^th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York is among those expected to grace the event.  

Below is a YouTube clip on a film on the great environmentalist and activist

“Taking Root: The Vision of Wangari Maathai”

Daily Kenya Salutes the Kenya Defense Forces for the Capture of Kismayu, a big step in the liberation of our Neighbour Somalia.