…Citation on DR. UZODINMA ADIRIEJE as He Clocks 60 on 25 February 2024.
Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje (Nigerian) is a Health Economist, professional Evaluator, Researcher, ‘One Health’, Human Security and Development Advocate/Campaigner, independent Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Consultant, Certified Management Trainer/Facilitator; Climate Change, Energy and Biodiversity Advocate, Certified Projects/Programmes/Management Consultant, Certified Management Specialist, and PMERLT (Project/Programme Planning/Management, M&E, Research and Learning/Training) Expert; Conference Organizer, Columnist/Writer, Rights Activist, and Facilitator. He is the CEO of Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA) – the CSOs global Network and Think-tank that has more than 2,300 (Two Thousand Three Hundred) member organizations in 106 (one hundred and six) countries across the World. He is AHOA’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and President of the Society for Conservation and Sustainability of Energy and Environment in Nigeria (SOCSEEN). Uzodinma serves as the Administrator/Moderator of 136 (One Hundred and Thirty-six) WhatsApp Groups on various projects/programmes and development interventions.
Dr. Adirieje is a ‘One Health’ Champion and Reproductive Health Advocate, Development Worker, Health and Community Systems Strengthening Specialist, and Community leader. On 29 January 2024, Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje was elected as the Chairperson of the Global Civil Society Consortium on Climate Change and the Conferences of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (GCSCCC) – a worldwide/global consortium of civil society organizations and communities engaged in climate change issues. A global civil society leader and founder of the Dr Uzo Adirieje Foundation (DUZAFOUND), Dr Uzo’ (as he’s fondly called) is the National Chairman, of the Civil Society Organizations Strategy Group, Nigeria (CSOSG-SDGs Nigeria) to which more than 80,000 organizations in Nigeria are members; National Chairman and Technical Working Group (TWG) Lead of the Nigerian Science-Policy Platform for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (NiPBES) – co-organizers with UNESCO of ‘Science Advice COVID-19: in the context of biodiversity conservation and ecological restoration’; Member, Technical Committee on Draft Standards for Renewable Energy of the Standards Organization of Nigeria; and Global Coordinator of the Civil Society Actions on Climate, Energy and Biodiversity (CiSACEB) Programme at Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA); and Global Coordinator/Founder of the ‘Disability, Elderly, Women, Vulnerable and Youth (DEWVY) Project of AHOA, and Initiator of the After50 Group Club.
A consummate teacher, mentor and facilitator, Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje has made scores of presentations and papers. During the past thirteen years, been teaching and providing training and mentorship in the following professional courses: Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E); Health, Community and Development Systems Strengthening; Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilization (ACSM); Gender Mainstreaming in Development; Project and Programme Management; Leadership Development and Organizational Management; and Proposal Writing, Fundraising and Resource Mobilization.
Uzodinma Adirieje is a pioneer Fellow and National President, of the Nigeria Association of Evaluators (NAE) 2019-2022, and the consultant who drafted Nigeria’s Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Policy which was approved by the Nigerian Government. He’s a key participant in Nigeria’s national evaluation of the Sustainable Development Goals 3 & 4. He is an active participant in the African Evaluation Association (AfrEA) and recipient of the 2022 Recognition Award from the International Organization for Cooperation in Evaluation (IOCE) for his “enduring commitment and valuable contributions”. He holds a ‘Certificate of Participation’ from the 7th International Conference on National Evaluation Capacities (NEC 2022) with the theme ‘Resilient National Evaluation Systems for Sustainable Development’ held at the International Training Centre of the ILO (ITCILO) in Turin, Italy, 25-28 October 2022; and organized by the UNDP in collaboration with the Global Evaluation Initiative (GEI). In 2022, Dr Adirieje was one of 8 Africans selected by qualification to participate in the six-week maiden Boot Camp of the International Organization for Cooperation in Evaluation (IOCE). Uzodinma Adirieje was the Chairperson of Nigeria’s National World Malaria Day Committee in 2019; Conference Manager of the International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA) in 2005, and Projects Coordinator of the Nigeria National Health Conferences in 2006 and 2009 respectively.
Uzodinma is a member of the ‘Every Woman Coalition’ global group, and his activities in ending gender-based violence (GBV)/violence against women and girls (VAWG) earned him the ‘1000 Voices Fellow’ from ‘Every Woman Treaty’ in 2021. Also, in 2021, Dr. Adirieje led the Advocacy Mission to H.E. President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria, which led to the endorsement of the ‘Every Woman Treaty’ on the floor of the United Nations General Assembly. He was Convener of ‘Taming the Monster: Ending Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and Against Women and Girls During and After COVID-19 Pandemic’, as part of ‘16 Days of Activism’ in 2020. Adirieje is the Global Coordinator of the ‘Civil Society for Elimination of Gender-Based Violence project and author of ‘Female Circumcision/FGM: 40 Dangerous Effects Parents and Relations Must Know 1999’. He is a signatory to ‘Safer Sooner: Toward a Global Binding Norm to End Violence Against Women and Girls’.
In 2019, His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria appointed and inaugurated Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje a member of the National Steering Committee of the Federal Government’s Alternate School Programme (ASP) to address the challenge of Education for out-of-school children in Nigeria, especially in Northern Nigeria. As a researcher and consultant to some United Nations and International Organizations, Uzodinma was the National Team Supervisor and Data Collection Team Leader (data collector, data analyst and data quality assessment) Nigeria Malaria Matchbox Equity Assessment among Internally Displaced Persons/Women and Refugees in the crises-ridden Northeaster Nigeria in 2020’, funded by the Global Fund. He was the keynote speaker on ‘Mitigating the dangers and risks for Nigerian women entrepreneurs post COVID-19’; Project Coordinator, Study of the Impact, Challenges and Long-term implication of Nigeria’s Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Programme, 2006-2007; Principal Investigator (PI)/consultant to UNAIDS/ILO/UNDP/NACA on ‘Situational Assessment for a National Framework for Private Sector Response and Public-Private Partnerships on HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, 2004-2005; Etc.
Dr. Adirieje was the Lead Facilitator for the training of 1,620 women, girls and youths in 81 communities across Nigeria’s 9 oil-producing states in the Niger Delta to stop violence/unrest in oil communities and engage government in development. Dr. Adirieje promotes research and development strategies in climate change, renewable energy, vulnerability, mitigation and adaptation as well as low carbon economy technologies. He is a Federal Government of Nigeria Certified/Licensed Management Trainer and Facilitator; and holds the Certificate in Advanced Management Training/Facilitation from Nigeria’s elite Centre for Management Development, Lagos, Nigeria. He is also a Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants (FIMC), Fellow of the African Scientific Institute (FASI), Fellow of the Institute of Management Specialists (FIMS), Fellow of the Afrihealth Optonet Association (FAHOA), and Fellow, Society for Conservation and Sustainability of Energy and Environment in Nigeria (FSEE).
Uzodinma Adirieje’s interests traverse the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, as it affects Nigeria/Africa; adoption of international best practices in mitigation and adaptation using climate resilient actions; mobilizing businesses and industry to invest in renewables to avoid disruptions, including resilience to weather-related impacts of climate change; developing and strengthening the capacity of rural and poor urban communities and climate change activists in such areas as solar panel assembly and manufacturing, assembly of solar components and devices, mini-grid design and deployment and application of internet-of-things (IOT) for systems and development, and producing Climate Change focal points in schools and communities, for climate change interventions. Uzodinma strongly advocates progressive investments in Climate Finance Instruments, Climate Investments, Digital and Circular Economy, Carbon Economy, and Climate Smart Agriculture for effective and result-based adaptation and mitigation of the climate crisis in the world.
During 2012-2013, Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje was the Technical Adviser to Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Conference Coordinator for the 2nd GlobalPOWER Women Network Africa (GPWNA) High-Level Meeting (HLM), organized by the Government of Nigeria in collaboration with the African Union and with the support of UNAIDS. He’s National Chairman of the Civil Society Organizations Strategy Group on the Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria (CSOSG-SDGs); Consultant who drafted Nigeria’s Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Policy which was approved by the Nigerian Government; and produced Nigeria’s SDG-3/Health Evaluation synthesis. He’s a key participant in Nigeria’s national evaluation of the Sustainable Development Goals 3 & 4; an active participant in the African Evaluation Association and a recipient of the 2022 Recognition Award from the International Organization for Cooperation in Evaluation for his “enduring commitment and valuable contributions”. He’s a Member of the National Technical Working Group on M&E; a member, of the National Core Working Group on 2020 Voluntary National Review (VNR), and Chairman, of the Civil Society Response for Nigeria’s 2020 VNR; Technical Consultant in the Evaluation of Nigeria’s National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) 2016-2022; among others. He was an alternate focal point/member of the Steering Committee and Chair of the Finance and External Relations Committee at the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Associations Alliance (REEEA Alliance, Nigeria). Adirieje participated in the 2018 African Ministerial Conference on Environment (AMCEN) in Nairobi and the 2018 meetings/activities of the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).
During 2017-2018, Adirieje was Project Director of the vastly media-reported ‘Sustainable Citizen Participation (SCP) in Nigeria’s Niger Delta’ Project funded by the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF), which addressed many Energy, Environment and SDGs challenges across 81 communities/local government areas (LGAs) in 9 States Niger Delta.
Uzodinma has over twenty years of proven competencies in managing/supporting and evaluating projects, policies, programmes and interventions that enhance results/productivity, accountability, inclusivity and transparency in Society Welfare/Social Safety nets, Development Work, Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Health; using Partnerships/Collaborations, Advocacy, Research/Evidence, Capacity/Organizational Development, Community Engagements, and Outreach interventions. Dr Adirieje is a gender activist, and author of the ‘Female Circumcision (Female Genital Mutilation): 40 Dangerous Effects Parents and Relations Must Know; and Nutrition for All Ages – A Pocket Guide (publications now catalogued at the Media/Materials Clearinghouse of the Johns Hopkins University, USA, for worldwide distribution, as M/MC ID#: PL NGA 318 and 398 respectively)’. He’s successfully conceptualised/planned and managed scores of local and international conferences, workshops, trainings, seminars, symposia, research, advocacy, health and development programmes, projects and activities/interventions.
A consummate community leader per excellence, Adirieje has served his ancestral communities in several ways including being the President of the Imo State Towns Development Association Lagos (ISTDAL), General Secretary of the Igbo States Development Union Lagos, General Secretary of the Orsu LGA Towns Development Union (OLGADU) Lagos, President General of the Ebenasaa Autonomous Community in Orsu LGA of Imo State, President of the Abia State University Alumni Association Abuja Nigeria (ABSUAA), and so on.
As a Catholic Church adherent, and a member of the noble order of Knights of St. John International (KSJI), Dr High Chief, Sir Uzodinma Adirieje has been Grand Chief Protocol Officer, KSJI, Abuja Grand Commandery; 1st Vice President, St. Martin Commandery of the KSJI, Lugbe; former Local Commander, St. Agnes Commandery, Wuye; Pioneer President, Lugbe Deanery Catholic Men Organizations [LDCMO]; 2 terms President, St. Martin Parish CMO; Chief PRO, Abuja Archdiocesan CMO; Vice Chairman, Parish Pastoral Council (PPC), St. Martin Parish; member, Cathedral Building Committee, Abuja Catholic Archdiocese; Member, Abuja Archdiocesan Pastoral Council; etc.
Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje holds the Nze-na-Ozo traditional title of Nze Akuzuobodo, and the chieftaincy titles of High Chief Ugwumba of Amaruru Clan, Ahaejiejemba Ebenasaa, Ahaejiejemba Amaruru, Ahaejiejemba Ndigbo Lagos State, etc. He is Ezinna CMO [Catholic Men Organization], St. John of the Cross Parish, Amaruru, Orlu Diocese; Ezinna CWO [Catholic Women Organization], St. Martin Parish, Lugbe Abuja; Patron of CWO, St. John of the Cross Parish, Amaruru, Orlu Diocese; Patron of CYON [Catholic Youth Organization of Nigeria], St. John of the Cross Parish, Amaruru, Orlu Diocese; Patron of St. Cecilia Choir, St. Martin Parish, Lugbe Abuja; Patron of Divine Mercy, Abuja Catholic Archdiocese; etc. He is officially honoured as the Ambassador of Education, Orsu LGA, Imo State. Dr. Uzo’ is joyfully married to his bestie-for-life Lady (Chief) Edith Uzo Adirieje, Lolo Ugosimba, Ezidibuogaranya, Eziadaukwu, former President of the CWO, St. Martin Parish, Lugbe Abuja; and they have three children namely Chibueze, Chinaza and Chinemezu. His late parents are Honourable Chief (Nze) Adirieje Fredrick Akujekwe and Nneoma (Lolo) Esther Ahuruchi Adirieje Akujekwe, of Umuogu village, Ebenasaa/Amaruru, Orsu Local Government Area, Imo State, Nigeria.
Over the last three decades, Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje has received several awards for his numerous contributions to humanity and the professions, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the CSR Reporters, Hall of Fame Award of Professional and Philanthropic Excellence from the ISTDAL, Presidential Award for Membership Growth from the International President of Rotary International, Distinguished Service Award from Rotary International District 914, Exemplary Catholic Man of Honour from the Ancient and Noble Order of the Knights of St. John International Commander 472 Abuja. The Orsu LGA has named and honoured him as Ambassador of Education of the LGA. He has been honoured as Grand Patron of the ISTDAL, Grand Patron of OLGADU, and Patron of several other groups.
Dr. Uzo’ was born on Tuesday, Afo market day, 25 February 1964. He is the second of the eight surviving children of his parents. Among the schools he attended are Community Primary School I, Amaruru; Eziachi Secondary School, Orlu; Federal School of Arts and Sciences, Ondo; Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria; etc. His hobbies include community work and discussions of contemporary issues. He owes his accomplishments to God’s endless grace and mercy toward him and his concerns.