ONE Welcomes Gayle Smith As New CEO

Gayle Smith, top advisor on development issues to two American presidents and one of the world’s leading experts on global development recently joined ONE as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Smith succeeds Michael Elliott, who passed away in July 2016, and Adrian Lovett, who has served as the interim CEO.

Gayle Smith, CEO, ONE Campaign

 Smith was chosen after a long, extensive worldwide search. She will bring her unparalleled expertise on development and democracy issues to ONE, in addition to a great network of relationships across the African continent and around the world. In her most recent role as administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Smith led a staff of more than 10,000 people working to end extreme poverty, foster sustained and inclusive economic growth, and promote resilient, democratic societies all over the world.

Gayle Smith

 In her words, “Never have there been greater challenges or opportunities on the road to sustainable and equitable development in Africa.” I’m thoroughly excited to work with the ONE team and our partners all over the world, particularly in Africa, to achieve the progress that is possible.”

ONE Co-founder, Bono of U2 expressed his excitement to have Smith join the ONE team. He stated that “She is a strong, savvy leader with deep expertise and decades of experience working to change the conditions that allow extreme poverty to thrive.”

We, at Save Our Needy wish a warm welcome to Gayle Smith! #StrongGirl

Influential Singer and Ambassador, Waje, Joins Save Our Needy Advisory Board

We are thrilled to welcome amazing singer, philanthropist, UN Ambassador for Peace, ONE ambassador and influential African woman, Waje, to Save Our Needy Advisory Board.

Welcome certificate from Save Our Needy

 

Waje

Waje at an event

Waje comes on board as the first celebrity to officially acknowledge our good works and a willing partner to help end extreme poverty in Africa.

Award-winning singer and songwriter, Waje

Aituaje “Waje” Iruobe is a respected, multiple award-winning Nigerian singer and song writer. She was found singing in church as a young lady. Her love for humanity led her to study social work at the University of Nigeria (UNN). 

Waje with Jerry Odili, Program Manager, Save Our Needy and Marvella Odili, CEO, Save Our Needy

In 2012, Waje became the founder of Waje Safe House. Through her non-profit organization, she teams up with other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to help raise funds for their various causes. She supports NGOs with laudable causes and helps them achieve their goals and targets. The first project supported by Waje Safe House was the Mental and Environmental Development Initiative for Children (MEDIC), assisting Project HELP (Help Educate the Less Privileged) which aimed at raising funds for vulnerable children in Makoko (a disadvantaged community in Lagos) to continue their education.

Waje with her bestie, singer Omawumi

Waje in a selfie with Jerry Odili, Save Our Needy Program Manager

Waje is a United Nations Ambassador for Peace and a ONE Ambassador. She is deeply concerned about women issues as well as the welfare of the disadvantaged in the society.  Little wonder she leads ONE #MakeNaijaStronger Campaign urging the Nigerian government to increase budget allocation to health care and reform the health sector.

 

L-R: Aliko Dangote, Waje and Bono of U2 (Co-founder ONE)

Waje with her daughter, Emerald

Waje, who wants to be known as more than just a great, beautiful artiste, was recently a judge on the panel of The Voice Nigeria. She is mother to beautiful Emerald.

ONE loses former CEO to cancer

Michael J. Elliott

Global campaign and advocacy organization co-founded by Bono, ONE, lost its former CEO, Michael J. Elliott, to cancer on July 14th 2016.

Born in Liverpool, England in 1951, Michael J. Elliott was a British journalist and executive. He was the president and chief executive officer of the anti-poverty advocacy organization, ONE. Awarded an OBE in 2003 for services to journalism, Elliott previously held senior executive positions at Time magazine, Newsweek, and The Economist.

Elliott, who attended Oxford University, became the President and CEO of ONE in 2011. He oversaw the organization's global operations.

In his five years leading the organization, Elliott recorded outstanding success as ONE increased its global footprint and saw its membership rise from 2 million to more than 7 million, of which 2.8 million are in Africa. Elliott also oversaw the successful merger of (RED) with ONE in 2012.

He died a few days ago at the age of 65 after living with cancer for more than two years, having moved on to become a Senior Strategic Advisor to ONE earlier in the year. He is much missed by his family, friends and colleagues around the world.

RIP Michael J. Elliott.

SON Joins ONE Campaign To Light The Way In Nigeria For New Global Goals

Nigeria will not be left behind as preparations are in top gear to light the way for the new Global Goals also known as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which will be setting the development agenda for the next 15 years. They will be replacing the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

On September 25th 2015, world leaders will sign up to the Global Goals at the United Nations in New York.

ONE in partnership with non-profit organizations including Save Our Needy, Save The Children, The Future Project, Budg iT, Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), NNNG, amongst others will be hosting over a thousand people in Lagos, Nigeria to Light The Way for a better future. 

Take Action NOW!

Join ONE.org Nigeria to #LightTheWay for the new #GlobalGoals on Thursday, September 24th at UNILAG, Auditorium, Lagos. Time: 4pm

#TellEverybody Let's join hands as ONE to make our leaders accountable and #EndExtremePoverty

It's a Global Gathering to END Poverty, Stop Inequality and Fight Climate Change!!!    

Lights, music and lots more will be available. First 500 participants will get free Action2015 t-shirts! Be there!

The "Strong Girl" remix featuring Bono, Waje, D'banj, Banky W amongst others will be launched at the event.

Nollywood A-list actor turned politician, Honorable Desmond Elliot will be giving the keynote speech.

Let's #LightTheWay for CHANGE. Don't just sit on the fence. #GetInvolved

Your voice counts.
#Action2015

Learn more: www.one.org

Poverty Is Sexist

Being born female in one of the poorest countries means your life will be harder, simply because of your gender.

A woman in Sierra Leone is 183 times more likely to die giving birth than a woman in Switzerland.

Unlocking the full potential of girls and women wouldn't just transform their own lives, or even their families'- it could help end extreme poverty for good- Culled from ONE Campaign

#PovertyIsSexist

Support and encourage girl-child education. ''Educate a man and you educate an individual. Educate a woman and you educate a nation.''- James Emman Aggrey

Support and encourage women empowerment. Give women the power to decide their own future.