Zuriel Oduwole, the 11-year-old Nigerian girl advocating for education for the girl child in Africa has been appointed Ambassador in Tanzania for the country’s largest foundation focused on gender issues – Wanawake na Maendeleo (WAMA) .
The ‘wonder girl’ was honoured by the country’s first lady, Madam Salma Kikwete when she attended a United Nations event in Dar Es Salaam last week.
Tanzania was Zuriel’s second country stop on her East African leg to launch the acclaimed Dream Up, Speak Up, Stand Up program, aimed at inspiring and encouraging Africa’s girls.
Senior officials of the Tanzanian State House, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Education, welcomed her to the land of Kilimanjaro as he stepped out of the plane.
On the first official day of her arrival, the atmosphere was purely festive at the Olympio School, one of the oldest academic institutions in Dar Es Salaam, where Zuriel spoke on her project.
In the afternoon of October 11th, the day designated by the UN to celebrating the Girl Child, she attended the United Nations UNFPA event in Dar Es Salaam, which focused on reducing the incidence of child marriage in Tanzania.
The next day, she was formally invited to the State House by the office of the First lady, who commended Zuriel for her leadership at such a very young age, in bringing the issues of girls education to several African leaders.
Zuriel has interviewed no fewer than nine African leaders, including the Tanzanian head of state.
The First Lady then formally appointed her an Ambassador for Wanawake na Maendeleo Foundation [WAMA] of which she is the founding Patron.
During the ceremony, Mrs. Kikwete then presented Zuriel with the official attire of the foundation, several gifts, and an intricate three-foot statue of unity, the same type presented to the US President, to symbolize the effect of Zuriel’s programs in the lives of Africa’s young women.
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