By: Hafsatu Z Bangura
The First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone Dr Fatima Maada Jabbie Bio has been appointed by the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to the board of eminent persons to promote zero-waste initiatives to advance the UN 2030 agenda for sustainable development in a letter addressed directly to the First Lady.
The First Lady Dr Fatima Bio’s appointment was made in an official letter dated 12th April 2023, given the concept of ‘’Zero Waste’’ is gaining attention worldwide as a sustainable solution to reduce waste, redesign used material and production, promote a circular economy, and inform consumer choices and describes the First lady as no less a person fit for the position as he counts on her knowledge, experience, expertise, and commitment in promoting Zero-Waste Initiative campaigns.
The release encouraged board members to work regionally, in a disciplined manner and a gender-balanced board will publicize best practices and success stories and raise awareness promoting local and national zero-waste initiatives.
The United Nations Secretary-General welcomed the first lady and looked forward to the work she will undertake with fellow board members, adding that he has asked the United Nations Human Settlements Program 9UN-Habitat0 and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) to work closely with her.
The UN Sec. Gen stated that her continued work as a true leader in attaining sustainable development goals by 2030, and to raise awareness and promote practices leading to progress towards a sustainable and prosperous future for people and the planet earned her such positions.
He concluded that focal points from the organizations will contact her soon about the onboarding process as well as with details for the first meeting of the Board which will be held in September 2023, in New York.
The First Lady expressed gratitude for the appointment and thanked her husband His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio for his unflinching support towards her achievements.
Recently the First Lady bagged an honorary Doctorate Degree from the University of Sierra Leone, this is her second Horois Causa Doctorate after bagging one last month from the American International University in West Africa.
Prior to her Honorary Degrees, DR Fatima Maada Bio graduated from Roehampton University in Great Britain with a Bachelor of Arts Honors in Performing Arts. In 2015, she graduated with a second Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the London College of Communication in the United Kingdom.
