UTA Celebrates Icons Of Humanity

The United Towns Agency for North South Cooperation Celebrates Humanitarian Icons on World Humanitarian Day with Awards, Lecture and Social Centre Unveiling


On Thursday, 20th August, 2026, all roads will lead to the Chida Event Centre, Abuja, where the United Towns Agency for North South Cooperation (UTA), Nigeria Chapter will mark the 2026 World Humanitarian Day with a distinguished ceremony of awards, lecture, and service.

UTA is a United Nations-affiliated non-governmental organization that enjoys consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). For years, it has stood on the frontline of identifying the hard-to-reach, the hungry, the aged, and the vulnerable, and lifting them up within its capacity. This year’s celebration is not just a ceremony, it is a movement.

The 2026 commemoration will feature, Awards of Honour to deserving individuals across the globe whose lives and work reflect compassion, leadership, and positive impact on humanity. It will also feature a high-level lecture on: "Breaking the Cycle: Achieving Lasting Solutions to Humanitarian Crises in Nigeria and Beyond." The lecture will interrogate root causes of displacement, poverty, insecurity, and how policy, community action, and global solidarity can deliver durable solutions.

In a landmark moment, UTA Nigeria shall unveil the UTA Social Centre, a purpose-built facility with sporting amenities, boarding, catering services, health facilities, learning and skill acquisition centres. The Centre is designed to cater for the vulnerable, the needy, and those hit by misfortune and disasters. It is UTA’s commitment to not just give relief, but to restore dignity and build futures.

World Humanitarian Day is observed globally every 19th August. It was designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2008 to honour aid workers who risk their lives to deliver assistance, and to advocate for the survival, well-being, and dignity of people affected by crises.

The date, 19th August, was chosen to commemorate the 2003 bombing of the UN Headquarters in Baghdad, which killed 22 humanitarian workers including the UN Special Representative to Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello. Since then, the day has become a global call to protect civilians, protect aid workers, and demand accountability under International Humanitarian Law.

This year World Humanitarian Day is being celebrated, under the theme: "Strengthening Global Solidarity and Empowering Local Communities." Under the current global situation, the theme is apt for humanity. In an era of overlapping crises, climate disasters, conflict, hunger, forced migration, and pandemic; no single nation or organization can respond alone. "Strengthening Global Solidarity" calls on governments, UN agencies, NGOs, the private sector, and citizens to work together across borders to protect aid workers and deliver aid without obstruction.

"Empowering Local Communities" recognizes a fundamental truth: the first responders in any crisis are local people. From community health workers to traditional rulers, women groups to youth volunteers, local actors understand the context, speak the language, and stay when international teams leave. Putting resources, decision-making power, and respect in their hands makes humanitarian response faster, safer, and more sustainable.

For Nigeria, where banditry, insurgency, flooding, and displacement have created millions of vulnerable people, this theme is both urgent and practical. It demands that we build systems that protect the vulnerable, fund local organizations, and ensure that aid reaches the last mile.

It is against this background that UTA-Nigeria criss-crossed the world to assemble men and women with a burning passion to affect humanity positively. We call them, Humanitarian Icons. In a world ravaged by crisis, hunger, poverty, irregular migration, forced labour, and loss of dignity, it is heart-warming to have a humanitarian community that lifts hands where others turn away.

In a world hit by the scourge of diseases, where people are forced to flee their homes and become homeless elsewhere, where insecurity is rife, the humanitarian community remains the conscience of society. Therefore, those who make things happen, who give hope to the hopeless, must be encouraged, recognized, and appreciated. That is exactly what this event is meant to achieve.

The event, under the distinguished chairmanship of Rear Admiral Samuel Alade (Rtd.), former Commandant of the National Defence College, Abuja, Nigeria, will honour a galaxy of prominent Nigerians and non-Nigerians who have proved their mettle in service to humanity:

The lists of the distinguished awardees are:

• Rear Admiral Samuel Alade (Rtd.), former Commandant, National Defence College, Abuja, Nigeria
• Amb. (Dr.) Eya Essif, Global Secretary General of UTA
• H.E. Dr. Dauda Lawal, Executive Governor of Zamfara State
• H.E. Engr. Abdullahi Sule, Executive Governor of Nasarawa State
• H.E. Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, CON, Hon. Minister of Budget and National Planning
• Gen. Christopher Musa, Hon. Minister of Defence
• Dr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, Comptroller-General, Nigeria Customs Service and Chairperson, World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council
• Amb. Ousmane Yara, AU Ambassador for Agenda 2063
• H.E. Samira Bawumia, founder, Samira Empowerment and Humanitarian Project, Accra, Ghana
• HRM. Igwe Samuel Ikechukwu Asadu (Ogadigidi 1), traditional ruler, Edem-Ani Ogwugwu Ancient Kingdom and Chairman, Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers
• Dr. Anthony Ojukwu, SAN, Executive Secretary/CEO, National Human Rights Commission
• Ms Rosanna Roda, UTA President, Italy
• Dr. Tijjani Ahmed, Federal Commissioner/CEO, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and IDPs
• Hon. Christopher Maikalangu, Chairman, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC)
• Dr. Samson Ibimaro, Director, International Cooperation, Ministry of Budget and National Planning
• Prince Ezem Ihenacho, founder, Advocate4Humanity
• Mr. Lloyd Ezechukwu, CEO, William Lloyds Technical Company Limited
• Hajia Hadiza Umar, founder, Hajia Hadiza Foundation

Since its establishment in Nigeria, under the leadership of Ambassador Abigail Amalaha, President, UTA-Nigeria, the organization has made it a mission to find those left behind. This informs the decision to build the UTA Social Centre, a hub for restoration. The Centre is skewed to transform lives and restore human dignity. It is about giving people tools, not just hand-outs.

UTA-Nigeria has been involved in various forms of advocacy to seek collaboration and partnership towards actualizing her mandate. The organisation within its resources has been a source of succour to the less privileged through humanitarian support. Our hand of fellowship has been extended to various IDPs camp, orphanages, outreaches to rural communities, financial and life support to the vulnerable, amongst others. Towards highlighting the plight of the less privileged in Nigeria to the global community, the UTA Country President have made speeches in various forum of the United Nations General Assembly on the plight of the vulnerable citizens of the country.

At UTA, we stand with patriotic Nigerians and global partners to push for a better society where the poor and vulnerable are catered for. We advocate for policies that ameliorate the plight of the downtrodden. We highlight the alarming rise in violence against civilians and humanitarian personnel in conflict zones, demanding that violations of International Humanitarian Law face strict accountability rather than impunity. We emphasize that frontline and community-led organizations are crucial to effective, sustainable crisis response.

Vulnerability takes many forms; lack of a stable home, financial resources, health, or relationships. As people of faith, whether Christian or Muslim, we are called to serve. For the poor will never cease to be in the land. Every day we interact with people at work, in markets, in our neighbourhoods. Are we intentionally searching out and serving the vulnerable among us?

Loving our neighbours and caring for the oppressed is central to our religion and human calling. We cannot afford to sit back and float through life. We challenge every Nigerian this week to find one opportunity to serve the vulnerable. Helping the vulnerable is something we should be actively incorporating into our lives on a regular basis. To help and protect vulnerable groups such as the poor, elderly, children, and people with disabilities, the government must implement targeted social safety nets, inclusive economic policies, and robust legal protections. Key measures include direct financial assistance, subsidized healthcare, and dedicated legal frameworks to prevent exploitation and ensure no community is left behind.

Direct Cash Transfers: Provide regular financial stipends to low-income households to cushion against economic shocks and inflation. Food Subsidies: Distribute relief packages, grains, or food vouchers to food-insecure families during crises. Pensions and Disability Grants: Ensure reliable old-age pensions and monthly support funds for persons with disabilities. Healthcare and Basic Services/Subsidized Health Insurance: Expand access to free or low-cost medical care through national health insurance schemes tailored for marginalized citizens.

Free Maternal and Child Care: Offer free antenatal care, safe deliveries, and routine immunizations for children under five to reduce mortality rates. Inclusive Infrastructure: Build accessible public facilities, ramps, and local clinics that cater specifically to people with physical challenges.

Safe School Initiatives: Strengthen security around schools and provide uninterrupted learning frameworks during emergencies. Skills Training Centers: Fund vocational and technical training programs to help vulnerable youth and adults achieve financial independence. Inclusive Employment: Enforce quotas or incentives for businesses that hire marginalized individuals, including people with disabilities.

Legal Protection and Security/Anti-Discrimination Laws: Enforce strict legal penalties against discrimination, abuse, or exploitation of vulnerable groups in public and private spaces. Social Welfare Agencies: Properly fund and empower ministries and community desks (such as local social welfare and disability commissions) to handle distress calls and provide immediate legal aid. At the UTA, it is our avowed commitment: TO LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND.