Singer-songwriter Yemi Alade has been appointed goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Alade 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, the UNDP said on Wednesday on its website.
UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner ratified Yemi’s appointment, saying in a video: “We can’t wait to hit the ground running with you, Yemi. We look forward to hearing and sharing the issues that you are passionate about — including women’s empowerment and tackling inequality.”
Yemi expressed gratitude for the appointment via an Instagram video.
“It is an honour to be named UN goodwill ambassador to the UNDP programme, an agency whose core mission completely aligns with mine, to end poverty and to erase all forms of gender inequality,” she said.
“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,” the ‘Johnny’ singer added.
Having participated in the launch of UNDP’s Mission 1.5 climate action initiative earlier this year and promoted UNDP’s COVID-19 response efforts, the UNDP says Yemi has already proven to be a valuable and powerful voice for UNDP.
Most recently, she joined Mr Steiner in delivering opening remarks at UNDP’s High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) side event focused on the socio-economic impact of COVID-19 on those without any social protection.
