The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has named Nigerian singer Yemi Alade the Goodwill Ambassador to promote women empowerment.
The afro-pop star now joins the league of former Chelsea star Didier Drogba, a UNDP goodwill ambassador charged with promoting poverty eradication programs.
Alade was early this week appointed as the UNDP’s latest Goodwill Ambassador by UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner.
The singer will also focus on promoting efforts to combat climate change in what the organization has referred to a green Covid-19 recovery.
“Women are among the 4 billion people who are trying to survive COVID-19 without any form of social protection,” stated Alade on her appointment.
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“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,” she added.
The singer finds climate change as a key element in efforts to combat poverty and observes that most developing countries have challenges in containing climate change.
“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,” she said.
Steiner welcomed Alade to the UNDP family saying they were eagerly waiting to get the ball rolling and hopes the singer will passionately speak on women’s empowerment and tackling inequality.
"We at UNDP will also be working to amplify your voice on the socio-economic impact of COVID-19 in developing countries and the importance of a green and equitable recovery for all," stated Steiner in his welcoming message.
