Nigerian Afro-dancehall artist Patoranking has been appointed as the first United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Gl Regional Goodwill Ambassador.
The appointment of the singer was announced by the UNDP Regional Director for Africa, Ms Ahunna Eziakonna, during the Timbuktoo fintech hub launch in Lagos.
For two years, Patoranking will primarily champion youth innovation and enterprise development, the Timbuktoo initiative to build the innovation ecosystem in Africa, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“Empowering African youth by providing them with the tools, resources, and opportunities they need to thrive is a cause close to my heart. I step into this role to lend my voice to important initiatives that hold immense potential to change development for many of our people through innovation and technology driven by the ingenuity and ambition of the continent’s majority – the young people,” said Patoranking at the event.
In the past six years, the ‘Girlie O’ hitmaker and his Foundation have been supporting and empowering African youth in all kinds of professional fields including education, technology, sports, etc. As part of his Patoranking Community Empowerment Program (PACEP), He had earlier given students a golden opportunity to do internships with a Giant and highly-profiled tech company, ALX Africa. Later last month June, he opened a modernized and nicely built football turf for young footballers in his ‘Ebute Metta’ community in Lagos.
In a post-appointment statement on Facebook, the music star said he steps into the role of the UNDP Regional Goodwill Ambassador for Africa to champion youth, innovation, enterprise, and the SDGs, adding that “I get to lend my voice to important initiatives such as TimbuktooAfrica and a privileged opportunity to collaborate with young Africans to find solutions that will bring positive change and progress for our continent. Thanks to everyone, my team and UNDP Africa team”
In the end, he expressed how honored he is for the highly-profiled and prestigious position.
