In a groundbreaking stride towards addressing the persistent specter of poverty in Nigeria, ActionAid Nigeria has successfully secured substantial funding of £56 million. This pivotal disclosure was unveiled by none other than Andrew Mamedu, the freshly appointed Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, during his introductory engagement with the media. The announcement resonated in the capital city of Abuja, where Mamedu fervently articulated the organization’s unwavering commitment to ameliorate the plight of marginalized individuals.
Amidst an atmosphere charged with anticipation, Andrew Mamedu took center stage, delivering his inaugural address following a gracious introduction by Dr. Jummai Umar-Ajijola, the distinguished Chair of the Board of ActionAid. Mamedu’s poignant words illuminated the path forward, radiating with purpose and ambition.
Steeped in an illustrious career spanning 18 years with ActionAid, Mamedu accentuated the organization’s resolute mission of standing up for those ensnared by the clutches of poverty and exclusion. His tenure as the new Country Director, he affirmed, would be defined by the forging of robust partnerships on both the national and international fronts. These alliances, he stressed, would be instrumental in combating the very roots of poverty and inequality within Nigeria.
Mamedu, a trailblazer who pioneered the establishment of the resource mobilization innovation directorate, illuminated the transformative impact of his team’s endeavors. “In the last couple of six, five years, I was opportune to lead a resource mobilization innovation directorate expressed as the head of the directory and then as the director,” he shared. “I pioneered the establishment of that directorate and together with the ActionAid team we have been able to raise a total of £56 million.” With determination gleaming in his eyes, he set forth an ambitious benchmark, fueling aspirations to surpass this monumental achievement on the collective journey towards eradicating poverty in Nigeria.
The newly appointed Country Director, in unwavering tones, vowed to amplify the voices of those grappling with poverty and exclusion, acting as an ardent advocate for their rights. His resolute mission entails relentless pursuits of the Sustainable Development Goals, with an aim to foster a future of equitable prosperity.
Mamedu’s strategy is steeped in interconnectedness, recognizing the global nature of challenges and solutions. He articulated ActionAid Nigeria’s commitment to nurturing partnerships spanning national boundaries, working collaboratively towards addressing the very core of poverty and inequality that grips the nation. “Our focus will steadfastly remain on the poor and excluded, especially women, girls, young individuals, children, and persons with disabilities,” he asserted.
The baton of leadership has been passed to Mamedu following the impactful term of Ene Obi, his predecessor. His ascension to the esteemed position follows his prior role as the Director of Resource Mobilization and Innovation at ActionAid. A testament to the organization’s prominence and appeal, it was revealed that an impressive total of 120 applicants contended for the prestigious mantle of ActionAid’s Country Director.
