The World Health Organization (WHO) Foundation has appointed the wife of former Senate President Bukola Saraki, Toyin, as its first Ambassador for Global Health.
The foundation said her appointment is based on her decades-long commitment and advocacy for the health of women and children.
“I am deeply honoured to have Toyin [Saraki] serve the WHO Foundation as our first Ambassador for Global Health. Her energy and deep commitment to educating, advocating and fundraising on behalf of the WHO Foundation’s mission will make a critical difference to global health initiatives. said Anil Soni, WHO Foundation’s Chief Executive Officer, in a press release yesterday announcing the appointment.
“Her Ambassadorship will enable us to power the vital work of WHO through the Triple Billion goals for a fairer and more equitable world.”
The Triple Billion is an initiative of the WHO to improve the health of billions of people around the world by 2023.
Toyin Saraki is the founder of Wellbeing Foundation Africa, a non-governmental organisation advocating for improvement in the health and well-being of women and children in Nigeria and globally.
This is not the first time Saraki would be appointed to serve a WHO body. In March 2018, she was named special adviser to the Independent Advisory Group (IAG) of the WHO Regional Office for Africa (AFRO).
Accepting her new appointment via a post on Twitter, Saraki said: “I am delighted to announce that the World Health Organization Foundation has named me their Inaugural Global Health Ambassador. My advocacy, philanthropy and our intrinsic synergies in fighting the challenges faced in global health makes this a natural progression.”
“I have continuously been impressed by the WHO Foundation’s dedication, energy and far-reaching ability to work towards the goal of strengthening our global health ecosystem. I am honoured as Inaugural Ambassador to reiterate my commitment to the development, growth, and mission.”
