By ‘Dotun Akintomide
Founder-President, Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA), H.E Mrs Toyin Ojora Saraki will deliver a keynote address at the 5th Annual Commonwealth Africa Summit in London this week, to a gathering of more than 400 global and African thought leaders who will be converging in London to discuss how Africa’s growing youth population can be used as a vehicle to transform the continent.
Mrs. Saraki, also the Wife of the Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will deliver her address on the theme “Improving Opportunities for African Women” on Wednesday 14th March.
In her advance comment ahead of the Summit, Mrs Saraki said: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to present how Governments, civil society, the private sector, charities and philanthropists can improve opportunities for African women, and I am looking forward to discussing innovative ideas with global leaders and youth representatives.
“Following the publication last month of UNICEF’s report “Every Child Alive”, which found that of the ten highest-risk countries for infant mortality globally, eight are in sub-Saharan Africa, I will share our experience at the WBFA of working with our global partners to transform health outcomes for women, infants and adolescents.
“I will also make the case for Universal Health Coverage from birth to age, the importance of immunization within comprehensive civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) systems, and – as the Global Goodwill Ambassador for the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) – I will showcase the model of the WBFA’s Mamacare midwives.
“Women are key to achieving the demographic dividend that comes with an interplay of reduced total fertility rate, an expanded base of working-age population, and improved educational, infrastructural and healthcare investments. Improved opportunities for women, both professionally and personally, translates to success for the whole of society.” She said.
Mrs Saraki’s speech will subsequently be discussed by Rt. Hon Mia Amor Mottley MP (Former Deputy Prime Minister of Barbados), Dr. Justina Mutale (Advisory Board Member, World Leaders’ Forum), Osayi Alile (CEO, Aspire Coronation Trust Foundation), Murielle Maupoint (CEO, Hope for Children), H.E Mrs El Rufai (First Lady of the Governor of Kaduna State), Tola Onigbanjo (CEO Women for Africa), Mrs Beth Oduwole (CEO Women Development Initiative Africa), and Kate Osamor MP – (UK Shadow Secretary of State for International Development).
Mrs Saraki, the Health-for-All Champion, who was recently named by Devex as one of four women making waves in global health, is a special advisor to the Independent Advisory Group (IAG) of WHO AFRO, the World Health Organization’s presence in Africa.
