UNICEF Nigeria Names Cobhams Asuquo as National Ambassador

As Nigeria today celebrates Nigerian Children Day, UNICEF Nigeria revealed the appointment of internationally acclaimed, award-winning Nigerian musician, producer and songwriter Cobhams Emmanuel Asuquo as a National Ambassador.

UNICEF Nigeria Representative, Mr. Peter Hawkins, made the announcement in a statement made available to newsmen in Kaduna on Wednesday.

According to Hawkins, the appointment made Cobhams the first National Ambassador of UNICEF Nigeria in the last 15 years.

Hawkins explained that as UNICEF National Ambassador, he will help raise awareness of children’s rights concerns and solutions, including around issues such as birth registration, immunization, education, and protection from violence.

“May 27 was set aside to celebrate the importance of children in Nigeria, providing the opportunity to policymakers and families to focus on the holistic development of young Nigerians.

Cobhams has supported UNICEF Nigeria’s work since 2019, including through producing the hits I’m a Nigeria Child (For Every Child) calling for every Nigerian child’s rights to be respected and protected, and We go Win (Corona), to raise awareness on how Nigerians can protect themselves from COVID-19.

In 2015, Cobhams produced a song Tell Everybody, to raise awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals, as part of the UN Global Goals campaign.

The UNICEF representative expressed optimism that the national ambassador would continue to use his singing, passion and dedication to defending the rights of vulnerable children and young people in Nigeria.

“It’s a huge honour to become a UNICEF Nigeria Ambassador,” said Cobhams. “I am passionate about children’s rights, and I am passionate about Nigeria – and securing its future, and the only way we can truly do that is through ensuring every child fulfilled their potential.

“I am thrilled to join the very impressive list of UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors around the world supporting the protection and promotion of children’s rights globally and look forward to making my contribution to the improvement of the lives of Nigerian children and young people."

However, Cobhams Asuquo, a lawyer by training, is a well-known singer and musician who shot to fame when he produced the debut album of Nigerian soul sensation Asa, including the hit singles, “Fire on the Mountain” and “Jailer”.

May 27, 2020