The United Nations have disassociated its self from the ambassadorial award given to Nollywood actress turned philanthropist tagging it as fake and illegal.
The Director of United Nations Information Centre for Nigeria, Ronald Kayanja stated while reacting to the United Nations Noble International Ambassador for the United Nations Rescue Services award given to Tonto on 7th April 2021.
According to Kayanja, the award has nothing to do with the UN and it’s illegal.
He also said that the agency will investigate the development.
“The award has nothing to do with the United Nations. A number of civil society organisations around the world have a way to participate in UN meetings of the Economic Social Council (ECOSOC) but they are not members of the UN.
“We are not sure if the United Nations Rescue Services have any consultative status with the ECOSOC, but even if they have that doesn’t make them a member of the United Nations.
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The award is fake and illegal,” Kayanja said.
Kayanja also said no organization has the right to give awards and name it under United Nations.
He added that the agency has laid down protocols for giving the United Nations Awards or honours which Tonto’s award didn’t follow.
On his part Ambassador Steve Midalah, the Global Chairman of the United Nations Rescue Services said his organization is one of the arms of the United Nations Economic and Social Council.
“Our goal is to eradicate poverty in Nigeria.
“We have the initiative of giving the United nations Noble Ambassador awards and we give this award to people we identify to use their knowledge, time and resources to serve humanity,” he said.
He noted that they decided to honour Tonto Dike for her humanitarian work.
Meanwhile, this is not the first time an organization will disassociate itself with Tonto Dike’s claim for award or recognition.
