ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Enugu-born humanitarian and women empowerment advocate, Amb. Onyinye Joy Mamah, has added another remarkable chapter to her growing record of international advocacy as she joined global nutrition champions in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for an intensive 11-day engagement focused on strengthening the fight against hunger and malnutrition.
From August 2 to August 12, Mamah participated in a series of high-level advocacy, learning, partnership and capacity-development activities under the auspices of the Scaling Up Nutrition Civil Society Alliance (SUN CSA) Nigeria, bringing Nigeria's civil society voice into wider conversations on nutrition financing and sustainable interventions.
The Addis Ababa engagement provided an opportunity for nutrition advocates and development actors to push for stronger commitment to nutrition funding across countries while also exchanging ideas and experiences on how civil society can influence policies that directly affect the wellbeing of women, children and vulnerable communities.
For Mamah, the trip represented far more than an international outing. It was another opportunity to connect grassroots advocacy with global development conversations and to demonstrate how Nigerian civil society leaders can contribute meaningfully to the international campaign against malnutrition.
One of the significant components of the visit was organisational capacity development and baseline assessment undertaken for partner organisations, including Action Against Hunger, in Addis Ababa.
Mamah and other advocates also participated in a high-level engagement with Save the Children Ethiopia partners, aimed at strengthening collaboration and mainstreaming synergy between EC-SUNN and CS-SUNN.
The engagements reinforced the importance of partnerships in tackling nutrition challenges, particularly in an era when governments, civil society organisations, development agencies and communities are increasingly required to work together to achieve measurable improvements in food security and public health.
Beyond the conference rooms and advocacy sessions, the Ethiopian experience offered Mamah an opportunity for cultural exploration, learning and reflection.
The 11-day journey combined professional engagements with sightseeing, recreation and exposure to Ethiopia's rich cultural heritage. Her experience took her through several notable hospitality destinations, including DoubleTree Hotel, Skylight Hotel, Nexus Hotel, and a glimpse of the Sheraton Addis, adding a memorable dimension to what she described as an enriching and wholesome experience.
Reflecting on the journey, Mamah expressed satisfaction with the entire experience, describing the outing and learning period as a remarkable one that combined advocacy, knowledge, friendship, culture and recreation.
She also expressed appreciation to Jessica, Jubril, Vero and Sunday, acknowledging their care, companionship and shared commitment to global advocacy.
«"May God bless these great humans for their love, care and global advocacy. I love you all," she said.»
But perhaps her most profound reflection was reserved for the source of her strength.
«"Thank God for me, for life, health and journey mercies. I am completely nothing without His mercies," Mamah said, offering gratitude for the opportunity to travel, learn, serve and return safely.»
The Nigerian delegation to the Addis Ababa engagement was led by Jessica Bartholomew, Chairman of the Steering Committee of Civil Society–Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) and a strong nutrition advocate whose work spans both state and national levels. Under her leadership, the delegation joined other global nutrition champions to advance advocacy for improved nutrition financing, stronger partnerships and sustainable interventions to combat malnutrition.
The Addis Ababa outing comes at a particularly significant period in Mamah's growing advocacy career.
She recently emerged unopposed as Chairperson of Advocacy of the Civil Society–Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN), a development that further strengthened her position within Nigeria's nutrition advocacy community.
CS-SUNN is Nigeria's civil society coalition working to combat malnutrition through evidence-based advocacy, policy engagement, public awareness and accountability. As part of the wider Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Civil Society Network, civil society alliances work across countries to encourage stronger nutrition policies, financing and interventions while amplifying the voices of communities affected by hunger and malnutrition.
Mamah's role within the coalition places her at an important intersection between grassroots humanitarian advocacy and national policy engagement.
Her work, however, extends well beyond nutrition.
As Executive Director of the Heroine Women Foundation and President of Women Support Women for Human Empowerment and Mentorship Initiative (WOSUWO), she has continued to champion women's empowerment, youth mentorship, humanitarian support and social inclusion.
Fondly described by admirers as "a voice for the voiceless" and "a pillar of hope for women and vulnerable communities," Mamah has built a reputation around advocacy that places vulnerable people at the centre of development conversations.
Her expanding international profile was further highlighted by her recent nomination as President of The Abrahamic Movement's Enugu State Chapter, adding an international peacebuilding dimension to her already extensive humanitarian and development portfolio.
She also serves as an Advisory Member of the G100 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Wing State Advisory Council for Enugu State under the auspices of the All Ladies League, contributing to efforts promoting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Beyond her humanitarian and development work, Mamah has remained an advocate for women's participation in leadership and governance, mobilising women through various platforms while championing inclusion, affirmative action and greater representation.
Her Addis Ababa experience therefore represents more than another entry in an international travel diary. It reflects the growing intersection between her grassroots humanitarian work in Enugu, her national advocacy responsibilities and her increasing participation in global development conversations.
For Mamah, the journey from Enugu to Addis Ababa was ultimately about learning, connecting, advocating and returning with greater knowledge to serve humanity better.
And as the global campaign against hunger and malnutrition continues, her participation demonstrates that voices from Enugu and Nigeria's civil society community are increasingly finding space at tables where important conversations about the future of nutrition, health and human development are taking place.
