United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres said: “In accordance with the United Nations General Assembly Resolution on Zero Waste (77/161) of 22 December 2022, it is with great pleasure that I appoint you as a member of the Advisory Board of Eminent Persons on Zero Waste. The Board has an important role to play in supporting zero-waste initiatives in the context of sustainable development”.
The UN Secretary General went on that; “as a Board member, I trust that I can count on your knowledge,
experience, expertise and commitment to promote zero-waste initiatives.
“Given that the concept of “zero waste” is gaining attention worldwide as a sustainable solution to reduce waste, redesign material use and production, promote
a circular economy, and inform consumer choices, it is my hope that the multi-partner and multidisciplinary, regionally and gender balanced Board will work to publicise best practices and success stories and raise awareness to promote local and national zero-waste initiatives.
“As convenor of the Advisory Board, I look forward to the work you will undertake with fellow Board Members to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development, and I have asked the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to work closely with you. Focal points from these organizations will contact you soon about the onboarding process as well as with details for the first meeting of the Board in September 2023, in New York.
“I welcome you once again to the Advisory Board on Zero Waste and trust that you will continue to be a champion on our journey to reach the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, and to raise awareness and promote practices leading to progress towards a sustainable and prosperous future for people and planet”.
The appointment letter was received, through Diplomatic Channels on April 14, 2023 by the Office of the First Lady shortly after she received her second Honorary Doctorate degree for her service to humanity.
Prior to her UN appointment, Dr. Fatima Maada Bio was awarded the degree of Doctor of Letters (D.Litt), honoris causa by the University of Sierra Leone in Freetown.
A total of 3,497 students graduated for the 2021-2022 academic year, where the University’s Public Orator, Dr Abdulai Walon Jalloh read the citation for the conferment of the degree of Doctor of Letters on the First Lady, Dr Fatima Maada Bio.
“Our recipient is a fascinating personality who exudes charisma, passion, and intelligence. I can safely say that she has had the opportunity to dine with the very best that society has to offer. Our recipient of this year’s honoris causa, epitomises bravery, intelligence, and servant leadership, as evident in the massive impact being recorded by her humanitarian and official work in Sierra Leone, particularly, and the African continent at large,” he said.
“Our honouree has long been motivated by Pan-Africanist ideals, and because of this, at the tender age of eighteen, she became the champion for the Campaign Against Meningitis Disease in Africa, but more especially in the Gambia. Before she assumed her current role, our honouree led numerous gender, philanthropic, and child welfare campaigns. She was the first to donate $10,000 for the meningitis fight in The Gambia.
“Respectfully, The Visitor of the University of Sierra Leone, Mr. Chancellor sir, Honourable Minister of Education, Technical and Higher Education, other Ministers here present, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Sierra Leone, other Vice-Chancellors from our Sister Universities, Deputy Vice-Chancellors of IPAM, COMAHS, and FBC, the Registrar of USL, other associate dignitaries of the same ilk, members of the Judiciary, our Honouree for this year’s Honoris Causa DOCTOR OF LETTER Congregation 2023 is Her Excellency Mrs. Fatima Maada Bio, First Lady of Sierra Leone,” he concluded.
President Julius Maada Bio, while congratulating the graduands, said he was delighted to do so and grateful to share the joy of the outstanding achievements they, their parents and guardians, and the various faculties and staff of the University of Sierra Leone had collectively made.
“Hearty felicitations to each one of you for the roles each of you has played in making this great day possible for the graduates. For each of you, I believe, you have toiled over your uncertainties, surmounted your fears, coped with challenges, persevered through tough moments, and today, you have seen through your dreams. It is no mean feat, and I celebrate your successes with you with great joy.
“I celebrate with the honorary awardees, as one of them is near and dear to my heart, to my vision for this nation, and she is a bulwark of strength for my leadership. She is seemingly unconventional in her vision, audacious in her thoughts, and bold in her actions. She has confronted us to shake us out of our complacency about giving our girls a chance in life. In all four corners of this country, her ‘Hands Off Our Girls’ campaign resonates with young girls who once more have their voices, who once more have agency, and who believe that they can be all they want to be.
“She is indefatigable in her advocacy, and she insists on personally distributing menstrual hygiene kits to every girl because she wants to look them in the eyes and talk to them from her heart about the profit of education and the strength of a confident woman,” he revealed.
The President implored the young people to think innovatively not only about how to get jobs but also about how to create jobs and expand the economy, adding that his government had put in place the rudiments of industry-skills development linkages and the increasing use of technology and ICT in higher education so that the country could produce both critical thinkers and worthy graduates who could operate within a digital workspace.
“I have encouraged more focus on entrepreneurship and for a can-do, can-innovate, can-make money attitude by our graduands. The public sector can only absorb so many graduates. There is money to be made in agriculture and agriculture value chains. There is money to be made in the service sector. There is money to be made in startups. What is needed is the right mindset, the right networks, and taking advantage of the right opportunities,” he said.
Dr. Fatima Bio said: “I want to thank the one person in whose side I am a sweet pain when I cannot stop talking about the next best idea. I want to thank him for not just indulging and tolerating my thoughts, but for listening earnestly and saying, “when can we do this together?”
“But it is this person whose life story is itself a mat-work of inspiration. He is not a man of many words. But it is from his moments of silence after listening to data on rape; after visiting a battered child in hospital; or a girl who misses classes because she cannot afford menstruation hygiene materials; that I have been moved into action knowing that cultural attitudes, lives, and the future of a vulnerable child can be changed forever. So, thank you, Your Excellency, my adorable and devoted husband, my icon of excellence, my greatest supporter and cheerleader, the one who inspires me every day to be better and to do more than I did the day before.
“I thank the orator for his fluent account of a life of public service in which I have strived to change challenges and vulnerability to opportunities and strength for those who should be protected and promoted in our society – our children and most especially, our girls. I therefore thank the University leadership for this recognition of my very humble contribution to humanity and to our nation. We have listened to the many transformative strides higher and tertiary education has gone through in just five years. This could not have been achieved without the sacrifice and commitment of academic and administrative staff who have thoughtfully moulded young lives in whose hands we will leave the future of this nation.
“To the parents and guardians, whose sacrifice, forbearance, and endless support has transformed this sea of optimistic faces, thank you. Because of you and your thoughtful decisions to send your children to this university, you have contributed teachers, doctors, scientists, administrators, accountants, engineers, and more to this nation. To our security, medical and business personnel, let me say thank you very much for the confidence, well-being and fulfilment you inspire in all of us. This congregation is a safer and better event because of your presence and complementary inputs.
“To our Fourth Estate, contribution in print and digital reminds us of key moments in our nation’s history. However, you would like us to remember that history, we will. But thank you for your scrutiny of our leadership. Your salutary comments make us human as we laugh and celebrate our achievements. Thank you for always journeying with us.
“To members of Government, members of Parliament present, traditional, religious, and community leaders, thank you for your service and thank you for your presence here today. During moments of crisis and during those defining moments in our nation’s history, your untiring efforts to stabilise the boat of peace is not taken for granted.
“To our students, make every opportunity of your circumstances especially after graduation. When you believe, then you can be and live it. Find and define your own niche where you can actualise your dreams and change the lives of others.
“I humbly stand here today as your First Lady of this our Republic and proud Recipient of the 2023 Honoris Causa Doctor of Letters. Here on these hallowed grounds of Fourah Bay College Mount Aureol, the fortress of Learning and Mountain of Hope, Sierra Leone pioneered higher education in West Africa to earn the sobriquet, “Athens of West Africa.” I feel steeped in that long tradition since 1827”.
Renowned women’s advocate, Dr. Sylvia Olayinka Blyden said: “Congratulations Mrs. Fatima Maada Bio for yet another accolade to your myriad of achievements as a Strong Sierra Leone Woman”.
She said this special role will see Dr. Fatima Maada Bio as part of those advising the World on issues aiming at protecting Planet Earth in order to combat vices like Climate Change whilst enhancing Sustainable Development.
“Bottomline, when it is God elevating you, no mortal can bring you down. This is how to smile when Fatima, my sister, is to be given her second Honorary Doctorate degree; this time by the University of Sierra Leone up at Fourah Bay College campus on Mount Aureol. The ambience here is beautiful. My people, I am so proud of this my sister.
“Before Fatima started to serve us, she had an impeccable and rich academic background including from the Roehampton University in Great Britain with a Bachelor of Arts Honours in Performing Arts, which qualifies her as an International Actress and Script Writer. Not being satisfied with just one University degree, in the year 2015, Fatima again graduated with a second Bachelor of Arts (again with Honours) in Journalism from the prestigious London College of Communication in the United Kingdom.
“Today, she will be given a second Honoris Causa doctorate after receiving one last year from the American International University in West Africa. Fatima shines so brightly because the Almighty sees her heart. When God lifts you up, no mortal can bring down. Congratulations Dr. Mrs. Fatima Jabbe Maada Bio. I continue to be very proud of you”. Dr. Blyden concluded.
Commenting on her honourary doctorate and UN appointment; CEO of AYV Amb Anthony Navo Jr said:
“On behalf of the entire Africa Young Voices (AYV) Media Empire family, we wish to congratulate Her Excellency First Lady Dr Fatima Maada Bio on her Conferment of Honorary Doctorate from the University of Sierra Leone, for her outstanding service to humanity, and for her recent appointment by the United Nations as a Member of the UN Advisory Board of Eminent Persons on Zero Waste. It is a proud moment for us, especially the young people who the First Lady continues to inspire across the country. AYV is proud to be working with the First Lady and supporting her incredible work especially the ‘Hands Off Our Girls Campaign’, which seeks to engage and empower young women. Her work, dedication, sacrifice, contribution and commitment to public service have earned her a Doctorate and appointment to a high-level UN panel. We are delighted and wish First Lady the very best. We heartily congratulate the First Lady Dr Fatima Maada Bio for her well-deserved award and UN appointment.”
