ISSUE 48/DEC2022 - Flipbook - Page 44
Africa’s Most Influential Women | EVERYDAY HEROES
Amina J Mohammed
NIGERIA
United Nations Deputy Secretary-General
PUBLIC SERVICE: Global Leader
Early this year, Amina J. Mohammed, one
of the most respected and eminent women
in the world today, was reappointed United
Nations Deputy Secretary-General for a
second term. For many, the news of her
reappointment did not come as a surprise. In
her first tenure her commitment to sustainable
development, human rights, women and youth
empowerment has been evident. She has been
criss-crossing the world to see first-hand the
challenges of the world and serve as a voice
for the voiceless, and sound of the alarm to
world leaders,
so that they can take action.
“My job description is simple: to build a world
where every girl and boy has the tools and
support to make their dreams a reality,” has
been her pinned twitter since the day of her
first appointment in March 2017.
Amina also chairs the UN Sustainable
Development Group (UNSDG), which serves
as a high-level forum for joint policy formation
and decision-making. It guides, supports,
tracks and oversees the coordination of
development operations in 162 countries.
Her leadership of the UNSDG and her
determination, reinforce collective results to
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maximize the impact of the UN development’s
system on the ground. From the UN’s robust
response to the socio-economic effects of the
COVID-19 crisis; through a boost in climate
action and unprecedented momentum for
Financing for Development; to her strong
emphasis on coherence across humanitarian,
political and development action – her role has
been instrumental in keeping the Sustainable
Development Goals alive despite significant
headwinds, according to one official
statement.
Amina has been conferred several honorary
doctorates and has served as an adjunct
professor, lecturing on international
development, including at at Columbia
University. She is the recipient of various
global awards and has also served on various
international advisory boards and panels.
“
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My job description is simple: to
build a world where every girl and
boy has the tools and support to
make their dreams a reality.”