Finnish ex-president, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ahtisaari dies at 86
Former Finnish President and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Martti Ahtisaari has died at 86, Finland’s presidential office said on Monday.
Mr Ahtisaari passed away in Helsinki at 6:40 a.m. (0340 GMT), the presidential office said in a statement.
Mr Ahtisaari, born in 1937, served as Finland’s president from 1994 to 2000.
Before his tenure, he held several positions in the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the United Nations.
One of his last major political assignments was as a UN special envoy for Kosovo.
Following his presidency, Ahtisaari founded a peace brokerage organisation called the Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation.
He made a name for himself as a mediator for the settlement of crises and conflicts.
In 2008, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his peacekeeping efforts.
“It is with great sadness that we have received the news of the death of President Ahtisaari. Ahtisaari believed in humankind, civilisation and goodness, and he lived a great, significant life,” stated the Finnish government.
“He was president in times of change, who piloted Finland into a global EU era,” said Finnish President Sauli Niinistö.
In 2021, it became known that Mr Ahtisaari had Alzheimer’s disease, and as a result, he gave up all public activities.
(dpa/NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
NationWide
Troops rescue seven kidnap victims, kill two kidnappers
The troops also recovered arms, ammunition and other items in coordinated operations across Borno, Yobe, Benue and Plateau states.
Economy
Fuel price uncertainty forced marketers to halt supply temporarily: IPMAN
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) says uncertainty over petrol prices has forced many marketers to halt fresh purchases, leading to the temporary closure of some filling
Economy
Tinubu committed to investment in renewable energy, says presidential aides
He said Mr Tinubu is committed to investments in renewable energy development, human capital empowerment, clean energy innovation, and Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan.
Agriculture
Flooding may raise vegetable prices, Lagos farmers warn
“If we sold vegetables at lower prices before, they will now become more expensive because farmers must recover their losses,” she said.
States
Oyo Abduction: Freed teacher says terrorists released victims before security operatives arrived
Abducted on May 15, the Oyo schoolchildren and their teachers were freed on June 10, after 56 days in captivity.
States
Residents lament deplorable road in Ondo community, seek government intervention
Residents of the agrarian community described the road as a death trap.
