The United Nations, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, has appointed the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr Akinwumi Adesina and 21 other leaders.
Their appointment, which was announced on June 1, is to spearhead the fight against malnutrition in all its forms as members of the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement Lead Group.
Appointed alongside the AfDB boss were two other Nigerians – Vice President of the Islamic Development Bank, Mansur Muhtar, and Executive Chair, Sahel Consulting Agriculture and Nutrition, Ndidi Nwuneli.
The appointment came at the right time as some three billion people, almost half of all humanity, cannot afford a healthy diet. And two-thirds of children lack the diverse diets they need to thrive.
Taking to his Twitter handle on Sunday, Adesina said he is greatly honoured by the appointment in the quest to end malnutrition globally.
“I am greatly honored by United Nations Secretary-General @antonioguterres appointing me among Global Leaders to tackle global malnutrition. Thank you, SG. I look forward to helping to deliver on this agenda,” he twitted.
Initiated in 2010 by the former Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, the SUN Movement continues its drive to improve nutrition for all people, everywhere, with the stewardship of 22 appointed global leaders who are committed to fighting malnutrition in all its forms as members of the SUN Movement Lead Group.
With the latest appointment, these prominent figures are committed to championing nutrition and steering the SUN Movement and its mission to eradicate malnutrition in all its forms by 2030.