UN Agency Honours ImpactHER in Rome

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

A non-governmental organization, ImpactHER, has been recognized as a finalist in the mobilize category of the esteemed 2023 United Nations SDG Action Awards.

The award ceremony, which is regarded as the ‘Oscars of the SDGs’, held in Rome, Italy, served as a prominent platform to celebrate the efforts of activists, mobilizers and changemakers who are championing sustainability and social justice initiatives while advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy, Mr. Antonio Tajani, lauded the incredible work carried out by organizations such as ImpactHER and its founder, Efe Ukala, especially its efforts and commitment to accelerate progress towards the SDGs, stating that: “We saw initiatives and individuals that are mobilizing, inspiring and connecting people each day.”

The Global Director of the UN SDG Action Campaign, Ms. Marina Ponti, in her own remarks, highlighted the significant role of the award in fostering unity and inspiring change.

She noted that the organisation was proud to host an event that brings people together to celebrate, inspire and be inspired and to unite for change with the remarkable creativity brought by all awards finalists.

According to her, the UN SDG Action Campaign, an initiative led by the UN Secretary-General and hosted by the Executive Office of the UN Development Programme (UNDP), aims to mobilize, inspire and connect people and organizations worldwide to drive action for the SDGs.

Ukala, while speaking on the honour, said it was a moment of immense pride for Nigeria and Africa as a whole to witness their representatives being acknowledged on such a respected international platform.

“The acknowledgment of these unsung heroes reinforces the idea that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals is a shared endeavour, requiring collaborative efforts and creativity from every corner of the world. It serves as a reminder that by working together, we can create a better and more sustainable future for all,” she stated.

The entrepreneur and lawyer added that ImpactHER is out to help bridge the gender gap in African economies and contributing to the UN’s SDGs by empowering women-led small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Africa.

She said that the organization has mobilized and trained over 75,000 women entrepreneurs across 53 African countries thereby unlocking their economic potential and actively fighting poverty. 

The 2023 UN SDG Action Awards were held alongside the UN Food Systems Summit+2 Stocktaking Moment, which was hosted by the Government of Italy in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the World Food Programme (WFP), and the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub.