FORMER UN secretary general Kofi Annan visited Oxford to launch the UK wing of an international charity inspiring young Africans to take to the airwaves.

Mr Annan launched the Children’s Radio Foundation at the University Church of St Mary the Virgin in High Street, where the UK wing’s chairman, the Revd Charlotte Bannister-Parker, is associate vicar.

Mr Annan is pictured speaking to Edward Mortimer and Ms Bannister-Parker.

The foundation reaches 7.5m young people in Kenya, Rwanda, Zambia, Tanzania and South Africa, and aims to inspire young people to use radio to tell their stories across the continent.

Ms Bannister-Parker said of Saturday’s event: “He was remarkable, and his speech came from the heart.

“He spoke with great dignity and passion, and I realised why he had been Secretary General of the UN.

“He had gravitas, intelligence, and a grasp of all the issues relating to Africa.

“He feels deeply and passionately about young people being the future.”