Ms Etona Ekole Takes The Helm As UNICEF Zimbabwe Representative

Staff Reporter.

The newly appointed United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Representative in Zimbabwe, Ms. Etona Ekole, presented her credentials to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Honourable Frederick Shava, today. Ms. Ekole succeeds Dr. Tajudeen Oyewale as head of UNICEF in Zimbabwe and will oversee the development and implementation of the UNICEF Country Programme 2022-2026.

Minister Shava accepted Ms. Ekole’s credentials and welcomed her to Zimbabwe, stating, “We are pleased to welcome Ms. Etona Ekole as the new UNICEF Representative in Zimbabwe. Her expertise and dedication will significantly enhance our efforts to support women and children.” He highlighted UNICEF’s strong partnerships with various ministries, including the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, and the Ministry of Health and Child Care.

Ms. Ekole has held several critical positions within UNICEF and the UN system, demonstrating exceptional leadership and advocacy skills. As the Representative for UNICEF Guinea Bissau, she successfully convened strategic dialogues with national stakeholders and development partners, driving efforts to accelerate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In her role as Special Representative ad interim for UNICEF in the State of Palestine, Ms. Ekole chaired critical inter-agency groups, led UNICEF’s response to COVID-19, and coordinated efforts to enhance primary health care and education.

Ms. Ekole expressed her gratitude to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade for fostering a strong diplomatic relationship between the Government of Zimbabwe and the United Nations family, especially UNICEF. She commended the Ministry for approving her Agrément and for the warm reception she received as the incoming UNICEF Representative.

Ms. Ekole pledged to further enhance the longstanding partnership and collaboration between the Government of Zimbabwe and UNICEF. She congratulated Minister Shava on the preparations underway to host the 44th Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit and offered UNICEF’s support to focus on child rights and child-related issues during Zimbabwe’s tenure as Chair of SADC.

Ms. Ekole has a strong track record in managing country programs and developing innovative multi-sectoral approaches. She led diverse teams in Guinea Bissau and Palestine to achieve high-impact health, nutrition, education, child protection, and water sanitation programming goals.

Her strategic vision and ability to build strong relationships with government bodies, UN agencies, NGOs, and other stakeholders have been vital in raising awareness and forming coalitions to meet critical results linked to the SDGs.

Ms. Ekole has shown a deep commitment to staff well-being and empowerment throughout her career. She has established mechanisms to ensure staff safety, security, and well-being, fostering an environment where team members can thrive and contribute effectively to UNICEF’s mission.

Elaborating on her vision for the future, Ms. Ekole stated that she inherits a hard-working team. With their support, extensive experience, and expertise, she is confident in empowering the women and children of Zimbabwe. Her dedication to child rights advocacy, strategic program management, and partnership building will be invaluable as UNICEF Zimbabwe addresses pressing challenges and works towards a brighter future for all children.