Secretary-General Appoints Ozonnia Ojielo as Coordinator
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Ozonnia Ojielo from Nigeria as the new United Nations Resident Coordinator in Ethiopia, effective March 14, with the approval of the Ethiopian government. In addition to his role as Resident Coordinator, Ojielo will also serve as the Humanitarian Coordinator. With over 25 years of extensive experience in sustainable development and peacebuilding, he is poised to make a significant impact in his new position.
Extensive Experience in Development and Governance
Ozonnia Ojielo brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having worked in various capacities within the United Nations for over two decades. His career has spanned four continents, where he has overseen a diverse portfolio of UN programs and projects. Most recently, he served as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Rwanda, where he played a crucial role in providing strategic leadership to the UN country team. Ojielo was instrumental in enhancing collaborative efforts among development partners and senior government officials to further national development goals. His previous assignments include serving as Resident Coordinator in Kyrgyzstan, where he also held positions with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
Leadership Roles within the UN System
Throughout his career, Ojielo has held several senior leadership roles within the UN system. He served as the Cluster Director for Governance and Peacebuilding at the Regional Service Centre for Africa in Addis Ababa. Additionally, he was the Director for Conflict Prevention and Recovery at the Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery at UNDP Headquarters in New York. His experience also includes significant roles in Kenya and Ghana, where he contributed to various UNDP initiatives. These positions have equipped him with a deep understanding of governance, peacebuilding, and crisis recovery, which will be vital in his new role in Ethiopia.
A Diverse Background in Law and Academia
Before his tenure with the United Nations, Ojielo had a diverse career as an attorney, university lecturer, and journalist. He has provided expert advice to truth, justice, and reconciliation commissions, as well as national human rights institutions in several African countries, including Ghana, Liberia, and Malawi. His leadership extends to founding the Centre for Peace in Africa, a regional non-profit organization based in Nigeria, and establishing the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators, the largest mediation organization in Africa. Ojielo is also a published author, contributing numerous scholarly and technical works to the field.
Academic Credentials
Ozonnia Ojielo’s academic qualifications are impressive and reflect his commitment to peace and conflict studies. He holds a PhD in peace and conflict studies from the University of Ibadan in Nigeria. Additionally, he earned a master’s degree in strategic and project management from the Paris Graduate School of Management in France, along with a master’s degree in history from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. His educational background also includes bachelor’s degrees in history and law from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and ASUTECH, respectively. These credentials underscore his expertise and readiness to tackle the challenges he will face in Ethiopia.
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