SUNDANCE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL WILL PREMIERE WAITING FOR HASANNA DIRECTED BY IFUNANYA MADUKA AND PRODUCED BY UZODINMA IWEALA AND IFUNANYA MADUKA

The short documentary, the first Nigerian production ever selected to debut at the prestigious Sundance International Film Festival, focuses on the Chibok girls.

Park City, Utah, January 2017 – WAITING FOR HASSANA is a powerful short documentary directed by Ifunanya “Funa” Maduka and produced by Uzodinma Iweala and Ifunanya Maduka. It will premiere at the Sundance International Film Festival on January 20, 2017.

The short documentary, WAITING FOR HASSANA, tells the story of the Chibok abductions from a single perspective -- a voice of one of the fifty-seven escapees. The film was shot over the course of 2016 in Nigeria by acclaimed Nigerian cinematographer, Victor Okhai. Nnamdi Asomugha, a Nigerian-American and former NFL cornerback turned producer, is the primary backer and executive producer on the project. Gallerist, Edward Tyler Nahem, and philanthropists, Ann and Andrew Tisch, are also executive producers.

Ifunanya Maduka says, “This contained and intimate film introduces a new point of entry into the Chibok kidnappings. We know the global story, now we hear the personal one. As the director, my aim was to visually and sonically plunge audiences into the psychological and emotional landscape of our subject. My hope is that audiences will leave feeling inextricably linked to her life and her story -- that it will become as much their story as it is hers. That radical intimacy is, to me, the basic and necessary function of art. It was also important to me that a Nigerian told this story, and I am proud that our crew reflects that drive.”

Uzodinma Iweala says, “Within every tragedy there are incredible stories of resilience. When my mother came to me and said that people need to hear about the strength of these young women who have suffered the worst and yet still have so much to offer the world, I said I would help to get that story out there. WAITING FOR HASSANA is the result of a team of Nigerians dedicated to telling our own stories to ourselves and the world.”

WAITING FOR HASSANA is a film that seeks to reframe the narrative about the Chibok abductions by emphasizing the strength and perseverance of an interrupted friendship that is both a source of profound pain and intense motivation to pursue a better life through education.

Ifunanya "Funa" Maduka is a Nigerian American filmmaker and professional cinephile, with a penchant for world cinema. Previously, she worked on the feature Half of a Yellow Sun, and the documentary, Building a Dream. The latter covered the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls, where she was a founding member and served as the Academy’s first dean of students. Funa holds degrees from Cornell University and Harvard University. Waiting for Hassana is her directorial debut.

Uzodinma Iweala is an award-winning writer, filmmaker, and a medical doctor. His first novel, Beasts of No Nation, was released in 2005 to critical acclaim, and won numerous awards. Beasts of No Nation was translated into 14 languages and selected as a New York Times Notable Book. It was adapted into the Netflix Film by the same name. He is also the Editor-in-Chief and CEO of Ventures Africa, a Lagos-based news platform covering police, business, and culture Nigeria, Africa, and the world. Uzodinma is a graduate of Harvard College, Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons, and a fellow at the Radcliffe Institute at Harvard University.

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As #LearningGeneration (Education Commission) finds, each dollar invested in education brings in $10 in earnings and health benefits in low-income countries. Early childhood development (ECD) is the most important of all.

With Professor James Heckman, Nobel Prize winner in economics and an expert in the economics of human development from the University of Chicago; Michael Feigelson of the Bernard van Leer Foundation; and twice Pulitzer-winning commentator and journalist Nicholas Kristof of the New York Times, speaking on the importance of investing in early childhood development programs at World Economic Forum 2017 in Davos.

President Xi Jin Ping gave an amazing speech in Davos yesterday, which was a rallying cry for global cooperation and integration and finding global solutions to global problems.

He reiterated China's support for and continued openness to economic globalization, including trade as a historical fact that cannot be wished away. He underscored the many challenges of globalization, especially the creation of winners and losers, and worsening inequality, but said all these problems can and should be addressed jointly by the global community.

Governments should pay more attention to securing the economic wellbeing of losers. To quote him "Success is secured when people put their heads together." He also said, "A right path leads to a bright future."

President Xi reaffirmed China's commitment to the climate change agenda. He said the world economy lacks new sources of growth and that institutions of global governance are not fit for purpose because they do not take adequate account of the changing economic dynamics with the emerging and developing economies of the world. But in his mind, all these issues can be dealt with through focus on innovation and global action!

A truly important discourse.

With Prof Mark Speith and Prof Jo Stiglitz in the session on Ending Corruption at Davos. A lively informative session.

Key issues:
- Pushing transparency and beneficial ownership registers onshore and offshore.
- How can developing countries get their stolen assets repatriated in an easier and faster fashion; how can they get a slice of the heavy fines levied by developed countries on erring companies engaged in bribery and corruption?

The Chairman of GAVI board, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has revealed that for every dollar spent on childhood immunisation, nations will save $16 in healthcare costs, lost wages and lost productivity due to illness.

She said if governments take into account the full value people place on living longer, there would be a further increased return on investment to as much as $44.

Okonjo-Iweala who is Nigeria’s former Coordinating Minister for Economy and Minister of Finance in Nigeria, stated this during an interview with a Japanese radio station, NHK, saying with more than 30 vaccine doses administered worldwide every second, immunisation was already recognised as one of the most cost-effective health interventions.

According to her, over 1.5 million children are still dying from vaccine-preventable diseases because of lack of political will, particularly from finance ministers, “ and because of lack of understanding within governments that vaccines aren’t just good value for money, but are an investment.

“In addition, there is a widespread assumption within governments and beyond that childhood mortality is a matter only for health ministers. In reality, it has implications for just about every aspect of government. Preventing illness through immunisation can have a huge impact in helping to contribute to the social and economic well-being of individuals, families, communities and countries,” she added.

While stating that the bulk shouldn’t stop with health ministers alone, she said protection of child health needs to be a concern for all governments. “After all, children are not just the most vulnerable members of society, they are also a nation’s future. And, if this alone weren’t enough to make childhood disease prevention a national priority, compelling new evidence suggests it also makes sound economic sense, too,” she stressed.

Okonjo-Iweala, who became the head of GAVI board in September last year, explained that strong routine immunisation programmes form a vital part of robust universal health systems, which are themselves critical to helping national leaders achieve economic and development targets.

She said to put a figure to the narrative, a new study published recently in the Journal Health Affairs looked at 94 low and middle-income countries and predicted that between 2011 and 2020, childhood immunisation stands to offer up to $1.43 trillion in economic benefits.

“However, if we wish to harness these benefits, as well as further economic returns beyond 2020, then we need to see greater long-term domestic commitment towards immunisation.

Since 1990 we have seen childhood mortality more than halve and since 2000 witnessed more than 500million additional children receive vaccines, thanks to organisations like UNICEF, the World Health Organisation and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, of which I am the board chair. But if this kind of progress is to be sustained then we need to see strong immunisation policy backed up by long-term health spending allocation.

“This means we need to stop preaching to the choir by focussing only on health ministers, and instead engage all aspects of government, in particular, finance ministers. As former finance minister of Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, I know how important it is for health ministers to make a better case for immunisation to finance ministers when it comes to defending their health budget. They need to make finance ministers understand the critical role that reducing infectious disease has in boosting the economy, and the role they have to play in making that happen,” she stressed.

SOURCE: http://www.financialquest.com.ng/investment-in-immunisation-can-boost-nations-economy-says-okonjo-iweala/

Immunization helps children grow up healthy, and it's good for economies too. #VaccinesWork

Let us commit, once again, to making #vaccineswork. Our children, our countries, and the world depend on it.

Health is a fundamental human right

Thinking global health security and economic instability

Global health consciousness, a necessity.

My Dad, the Obi of Ogwashi-Ukwu, Prof Chukwuka Okonjo, displays his latest book on tertiary education in Nigeria and the path out of poverty.

Still writing at age 88!

A case for investment in global health

Coping with climate change and globalisation

A case for vaccines market

Not just the diseases

With Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, President, African Development Bank; Seth Berkley, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; Marie-Ange Saraka-Yao, MD Resource Mobilisation and Private Sector Partnerships at Gavi; and Sunita Pitamber, Director of Human Development Dept at AfDB, Abidjan

Risk, a universal phenomenon

A case for the financial inclusion of women and girls

Investment in #Health, a necessity.

I'm grateful to His Excellency, President Alassane Ouattara, and Her Excellency, President Johnson-Sirleaf, for the National Honors of Côte d'Ivoire and Liberia conferred on me for works on development supporting the two countries and Africa.

An amazing week spent in Côte d'Ivoire and Liberia.

In Côte d'Ivoire, looking at the impact on children of the government's work on immunization supported by Gavi.

In Liberia, in the village with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf talking agriculture with farmers

Pictures: At the field and in the village with Madam President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of #Liberia

Gavi at work in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire: talking with CSOs, visiting with women at a health clinic in Abidjan as they immunise their children, at the inauguration of a new vaccine storage facility in Abidjan with Minister of Health Raymonde Goudou Coffie and Gavi CEO Seth Berkley, along with Gavi board members

With our newly crowned ambassador for vaccines and immunisation, Madam Kiebli and her child.

I am full of admiration for Madam Kiebli's knowledge of the vaccine regimen for children in Côte d'Ivoire which is a credit to the country's community sensitisation campaign.

She also said "Quand une femme fait la planning familiale Elle reste belle."

NEWS RELEASE. Abuja, December 6, 2016

OKONJO-IWEALA HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH FAKE 2019 CAMPAIGN POSTER AND POLITICAL SPECULATION

Our attention has been drawn to speculative media stories linking former Minister of Finance, Dr Okonjo-Iweala with the next presidential election scheduled to hold in 2019.

In an effort to invest their efforts with phony credibility, those behind the project have even gone to the extent of designing a fake campaign poster embossed with her image.

This is to clarify that Dr Okonjo-Iweala who is busy with important international duties has absolutely nothing to do with these speculations and activities.

She has neither discussed nor endorsed them with anybody.

We urge the Nigerian media and public to ignore this mischievous exercise and its sponsors.

Thank you.

Paul C Nwabuikwu
Media Consultant to Dr Okonjo-Iweala

1. With the CEO of International Rescue Committee and former UK Foreign Affairs Secretary, David Miliband; CEO, Save the Children and Former PM of Denmark, Helle Thorning-Schmidt; Mo Ibrahim; and Executive Director of the World Food Programme, Ertharin Cousin

2. With CEO of Hyatt Hotels, Mark Hoplamazian, and CEO of Last Mile Health, Raj Panjabi, at the Fortune-Time Global Forum 2016

At the Vatican with the Holy Father Pope Francis and Fortune 500 CEOs discussing globalization and inequality @FortuneMagazine @Time.

Pointed out not only the positive impact of globalization, but also the negative impact on our continent: loss of textile jobs in Nigeria from 600,000 to 20,000 in two decades, and loss of 75,000 jobs in South Africa over a decade in textiles, footwear, and machinery.

We must look out for the losers in the globalization process and not only focus on the winners. We must look for inclusive globalization.

As the Holy Father said in his speech to us, "When we ignore the cries of so many of our brothers and sisters throughout the world, we not only deny them their God-given rights and worth, but we also reject their wisdom and prevent them from offering their talents, traditions and cultures to the world. In so doing, the poor and marginalized are made to suffer even more, and we ourselves grow impoverished, not only materially, but morally and spiritually."

https://twitter.com/NOIweala/status/805760052154036224

Former minister of finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala​,​ was on Thursday​,​​ ​December 1,​​ ​honored with the Global Fairness Award in Washington DC, United States.

The award was presented to her by the Global Fairness Initiative in recognition of her contribution to sustainable development,​ ​through serving others,​​ ​and her consistent focus on implementing development programs that benefit the poor and less privileged.

Speaking at the event in Washington DC, the former minister expressed gratitude for the recognition and pledged to continue to fight for fairness for the less privileged.

“I appreciate the Trustees of the Global Fairness Award for recognizing a lifetime devoted to development, including the privilege I have now of working for children’s immunization, through Gavi, and for managing climate risk in Africa through the African Risk Capacity. Let 2017 be a year of continued fight for fairness for the most vulnerable among us, and those left behind in this world.”

Other recipients of the award include Dr Cristina Liamzon, a development consultant,​ and Ms Randi Weingarten, an American labor leader, attorney, and educator.

The Global Fairness Initiative is a not-for-profit international organization that promotes a more equitable, sustainable approach to economic development, ensuring that benefits and prosperity are extended to all people, including the working poor.

Some of the notable personalities that have been recognized and honored with the Global Fairness Award include Robert Bruce Zoellick, the eleventh president of the World Bank​,​​ ​former managing director of Goldman Sachs and Joyce Hilda Banda,​​ ​former President of Malawi.

At the Global Fairness Awards with Dr Danilo Turk, former President of Slovenia and Chair, Board of Trustees Global Fairness award, and Ms Andrea Rhoane, Presenter Channel 9 and MC of the Awards.

Grateful for the honor of receiving last night in Washington DC the Global Fairness Award given to leaders who have contributed to Sustainable Development through serving others, especially the grassroots with policies, programs and action.

I congratulate my fellow awardees Dr Cristina Liamzon and Ms Randi Weingarten.

I appreciate the Trustees of the Global Fairness Award for recognizing a lifetime devoted to development, including the privilege I have now of working for children's immunization, through Gavi, and for managing climate risk in Africa through the African Risk Capacity.

Let 2017 be a year of continued fight for fairness for the most vulnerable among us, and those left behind in this world.

Hard-to-reach children in Africa and Asia could benefit from the new partnership

Doha, 29 November 2016 - Education Above All Foundation (EAA) and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, have today announced a new partnership to improve children’s health through community outreach and advocacy for immunisation in countries in Africa and Asia.

“Education plays a crucial role in raising awareness of health challenges and shaping the attitudes and behaviours that can make a difference, “ said Dr Seth Berkley, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. “We look forward to working closely with Education Above All Foundation to strengthen our immunisation efforts in Gavi-supported countries.”

The Education Above All (EAA) partners and Gavi will identify communities with out-of-school children and where low levels of vaccination have been recorded. EAA partners and Gavi will then develop a joint community outreach strategy to improve rates of immunisation. The partnership is an important means by which the organisations can show their significant contribution towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Founder and Chairperson of Education Above All Foundation and member of the United Nations SDG Advocates, believes a collaborative approach to development is crucial. “Together, Education Above All and Gavi will work to improve health and wellbeing in some of the world’s most deprived communities,” she said. “This is just one example of the role education can play as a driver for human development, showing that increased access to quality education can support the achievement of wider development aims”.

This partnership is the first of its kind for Gavi and EAA to target both SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all, and SDG 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education. It is also a showcase for SDG 17, to revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development.

During a meeting with her Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser in Doha, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, chair of the Gavi Board underlined that “overwhelming evidence demonstrates the benefits of immunisation as one of the most successful and cost-effective public health interventions. Minimising the burden of illness through immunisation will positively affect a child’s ability to attend school and attain high education levels.”

Vaccines are protecting more children than ever before, but millions of the poorest and most vulnerable children still miss out on the basic vaccines they need to stay healthy. In 2015, around 19 million children around the world did not receive a full course of basic vaccines. Many of these children are unable to attend school, are not enrolled or have dropped out of the education system.

This partnership represents a significant breakthrough in supporting vulnerable and marginalised children to better access the life-saving vaccines they need, as well as increasing access and equity in education.

SOURCE: http://www.gavi.org/library/news/press-releases/2016/education-above-all-and-gavi-join-forces-to-deliver-progress-on-sustainable-development-goals/

by Dana J. Hyde

Internationally recognized development economist Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala served as Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and twice as Nigeria’s Finance Minister — the first woman to hold either post. She has held several key positions at the World Bank, and in 2014, Time magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Currently, Okonjo-Iweala is the Board Chair of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and Senior Advisor at the financial advisory and asset management firm Lazard.

During a recent visit to MCC, Okonjo-Iweala joined MCC CEO Dana J. Hyde for an engaging conversation about the challenges facing Africa, how to ensure inclusive economic growth, and what young women should keep in mind when choosing a workplace. Here are some of the highlights from their conversation.

Dr. Ngozi, through your extensive experience, what have you learned about creating economic growth in developing countries?

What I’ve learned is how difficult it is, and that there are no easy answers. Those who say they have the magic wand to make inclusive growth and development happen are really not telling it as it is.

The first and foremost thing for growth and inclusive development is a stable macroeconomic environment. If you don’t have stability in your basic prices in the economy, the exchange rate is not well-aligned; if inflation is high, which taxes the poor; if your fiscal deficit is out of control — and you have not fixed all those, all the money you are pouring into securing development isn’t going to work.

I also learned that inclusivity for poor people means that they want jobs — they are not looking for handouts. So inclusive growth means the ability to create jobs.

What is the role of infrastructure in inclusive development?

The creation of jobs in many of our countries cannot really happen the way we would like without adequate infrastructure. I say to young men and women, “Don’t wait for the government or a company to give you a job, create a job first for yourself and then for six or more people.” To do that, you need infrastructure. You can’t do it if you don’t have power — that’s the most important thing. And power is what’s most lacking in African countries. So we need power, we need roads, we need ports, we need connectivity and infrastructure for information and communications technology, and I want to commend MCC for expending its resources on these.

What do donors get right, and what do they get wrong?

It’s also what countries get right, and what they get wrong. No country can develop just with donor support. If a country cannot set out its policies, its priorities, its strategies, then there is a problem. Because what you need is for donors to come behind those and support you — that’s the best way to operate. It’s also the hardest. It’s easier to come in, craft something and implement, but MCC should stick with its country-led approach.

MCC has a very special niche because you are an organization that can do hard things like infrastructure. Grant money is powerful, and you have a portfolio of over $11 billion. I think MCC should use that leverage wisely for two things: one is to support countries, strongly insisting that they have a view, and they don’t just give into whatever you say; second is to leverage other donors and the private sector to put up more resources.

There is much commentary about the slowdown of economic growth in Africa. What makes you most hopeful about the continent?

There are two things that make me hopeful. First, it’s the young people — I get so excited when I meet them. Although they are frustrated with older generations for having messed things up in many ways, they are full of ideas and energy about what to do next. The second thing that gives me hope is that, for the most part, policymakers on the continent have learned that macroeconomic fundamentals like controlling inflation matter. This is the reason that Africa’s economic growth is a trend, not a fluke. The continent is experiencing a difficult period now, but if policymakers focus on good policies, there will be a turnaround.

You have been such an inspiration to young women around the world. What is your advice to young women?

When women get top posts, even in developed countries, people somehow think they have too much power. You will be judged more harshly, and people expect more of you as a woman. So it’s not easy, but does that mean that you should shy away from doing those tough things if the opportunity comes? The answer is no. But you have to be wise about it, you have to have principles.

I advise everybody, but women in particular, to try to work in places where they can quantify and measure what you are doing, so it doesn’t depend entirely on somebody’s judgement. The World Bank, where I started out in the Young Professionals Program, was good in that way. You were given a task and you produced it to quality, or you did not. Even if people did not like you — your gender, your color or whatever — if you did a good project, a good report, a good result on the ground, it spoke for itself.

Finally, there’s no easy answer to balancing work and family. You need to do what you are comfortable with. I think the best thing I have done in my whole life are my children. All my other titles pale in contrast when I think of my children.

SOURCE: https://www.mcc.gov/blog/entry/blog-112116-conversation-ngozi-okonjo-iweala

the gap between political horizons and institutions