Nigeria’s expanding importance in global governance and international development has got another big boost with the selection of Ahunna Eziakonwa as Special Adviser on Africa by United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres.
Channels TV reported that Eziakonwa is taking over from Cristina Duarte of the Republic of Cabo Verde.
She follows Cristina Duarte, from the Republic of Cabo Verde, and the Secretary-General thanks her for her dedication and loyal service to the Organisation.
“Ms Eziakonwa brings nearly three decades of United Nations (UN) leadership to her new role,” the UN announced on its website on Friday.
It said that the Nigerian contributes over three decades of United Nations (UN) leadership to her new position.
Eziakonwa is currently UN Assistant Secretary-General, Assistant Administrator and Director, Regional Bureau for Africa, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) where she manages the organisation’s support to 46 African countries in the achievement of Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
Since 2018, she has played a vital role in influencing UNDP’s strategic direction for economic and political development throughout Africa.
“Ms. Eziakonwa’s experience covers the whole spectrum of UN work in Africa. In three countries – Ethiopia, Uganda and Lesotho – she has served as UN Resident Coordinator, Humanitarian Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative, coordinating humanitarian operations, development strategy and political engagement.
“She was the Chief of the Africa Section at the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) in New York, where she managed humanitarian operations in 15 African countries, and served in senior positions in Liberia and Sierra Leone during critical moments in the two countries, the UN said.
At the headquarters of the new Special Adviser on Africa, the Adviser worked with the UN Departments of Peacekeeping Operations, Political Affairs and Public Information on peacekeeping and political analysis and strategic communications relating to UN engagement in Africa.
Before joining the UN, she worked with many African civil society organisations.
Ms. Eziakonwa has a Master’s Degree in International Affairs with a specialisation in African economic and political development from Columbia University, New York, USA and a Bachelor of Arts in Pedagogy, English and Literary Studies from the University of Benin, Nigeria.
“She speaks fluent Yoruba and has a working knowledge of French, in addition to her native Igbo and English,” it said.
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