Africa’s child ambassador, eleven year old Zuriel Oduwole, the Nigerian girl making the global case for educating the continents Girl Child and in the process, re-branding Africa, has been appointed an ambassador by Tanzania’s First Lady. Zuriel was in the country last week – which was her second county stop on her East African leg to launch the acclaimed Dream Up, Speak Up, Stand Up project aimed at inspiring/encouraging African girls.
On October 11th, Zuriel was in Dar Es Salaam to the attend the United Nations UNFPA event which focused on reducing the incidence of child marriage in Tanzania. After speaking at the event, she was formally invited to the office of the first lady Mrs Selma Kikwete (Zuriel pictured with the first lady above). Mrs Kikwete commended Zuriel for her leadership at such a young age, she also commended her for bringing issues of girl’s education to several African leaders, then the first lady formally appointed Zuriel an ambassador for the largest foundation focused on gender issue – Wanawake na Maendeleo Foundation (WAMA) of which she’s the founding patron.
Zuriel was presented with an intricate 3 foot statue of unity, the same type presented to the US president, to symbolize the effect of Zuriel’s in the lives of Africa’s young women.