Congratulations are currently reeling in for Nigerian pop star Yemi Alade who has been appointed a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Alade was appointed and unveiled as UNDP’s latest Goodwill Ambassador by UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner on Wednesday, September 23, 2020.
Kicking off her new role as the COVID-19 pandemic surges around the world, the music star will help shine a spotlight on the disproportionate impact of the health and socio-economic crisis on the poorest and most vulnerable people, who are often
women, especially in developing nations.
Alade, who has consistently represented Africa and women’s right with her songs, will also promote women’s empowerment and gender equality.
Reacting to the development, the ‘Mama Africa’ crooner said the opportunity would help her draw attention of the public to issues affecting vulnerable women in developing nations like Nigeria.
“Women are among the 4 billion people who are trying to survive COVID-19 without any form of social protection,” Alade said in a video statement.
We're pleased to welcome Nigerian superstar @yemialadee as our newest UNDP Goodwill Ambassador! We thank Yemi for being our voice for a green and equitable recovery: https://t.co/gdGXOneLtE#UNGA #GlobalGoalsWeek pic.twitter.com/wBNl4euf8N
— UN Development (@UNDP) September 23, 2020
“I want to lend my voice to these women and other vulnerable people who make up half of the world that’s struggling to make ends meet. They don’t have the luxury of working from home and are putting their health at risk just to put food on the table.
…But as we address poverty and inequality in our COVID-19 recovery plans, we can’t put climate change on the back burner. Climate change and poverty go hand-in-hand, and neither is gender-neutral. Women in developing countries, such as my homeland Nigeria, are disproportionately affected by both.
Alade, 31, joins a roster of UNDP Goodwill Ambassadors, which includes celebrities such as actor Antonio Banderas and footballer Didier Drogba.
The United Nations Development Programm is the United Nations’ global development network. Formed in 1965, the organization help countries eliminate poverty and achieve sustainable human development.
Photo Credit: Instagram
