CEO - YIF #SDGAwardwinner # UNambassador | Philanthropist - Yakolo Indimi Foundation
Permanent Representative - UN on African Literacy & Humanitarian, Outreach, Global Organization for SDGS
Meet Ambassador Yakolo Indimi, a whirlwind of philanthropy, leadership, and relentless passion. As the CEO of the Yakolo Indimi Foundation (YIF), a UN Ambassador, and a 2019 SDG Award winner, Yakolo's journey is one of profound impact and unwavering commitment to transforming lives. Yakolo's story begins in the vibrant city of Maiduguri, Borno, where she was born into the illustrious family of Dr. Muhammadu Indimi, a renowned businessman, and Hajiya Fatima Mustapha Haruna. Her childhood was deeply influenced by her father's generous spirit and his constant discussions about alleviating poverty. These early experiences ignited in Yakolo a burning desire to make a difference, shaping her life's mission of helping those in need. She has overseen the delivery of humanitarian assistance, health services, and training for those affected by the Boko Haram insurgency at various IDP (internally displaced persons) camps. Her efforts have brought hope and relief to thousands. Fast forward to her educational journey, Yakolo attended University Primary School in Maiduguri before continuing her secondary education in Egypt at El Nasr Girl College, Alexandria. She later earned a degree in medical science and a master's in international management from Lynn University, Florida. Armed with a strong educational foundation and a heart full of compassion, Yakolo was ready to take on the world.
In 2000, after completing her national service, Yakolo joined her father's company, Oriental Energy Resources. She worked in various capacities for 20 years, eventually becoming the director of OML 115. Not one to be confined to a single path, Yakolo ventured into the fashion industry, founding Fashion Café in 2010 and Devas Petal in 2015, showcasing her entrepreneurial spirit.
However, it is through the Yakolo Indimi Foundation that Yakolo's impact has been most profoundly felt. Driven by her desire to combat poverty and support the less privileged, YIF focuses on empowering women and youth through education, skill acquisition, micro-enterprises, farming, human rights enforcement, financial aid, and psychosocial interventions.
Yakolo's commitment to social justice and human dignity is evident in her mission for the foundation. She envisions a world of hope, tolerance, and social justice, where poverty is eradicated, and people live in dignity and security. The Yakolo Indimi Foundation aims to be a global force and a partner of choice within a worldwide movement dedicated to ending poverty. In Nigeria, the foundation seeks a society that celebrates diversity, where rights are secured, citizenship realized, and human potential fulfilled for all. Yakolo believes that the disadvantaged need opportunities, not charity, and focuses on bringing about positive change in the lives of the most vulnerable.
The foundation's efforts are particularly focused on the North-East, a region heavily impacted by insurgency. Yakolo and her team tirelessly work to support internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Borno and Adamawa, providing them with sustainable livelihoods through training and resources like sewing machines and flour processing machines. The foundation also runs a food security project, equipping beneficiaries with modern farming skills.
In the health sector, YIF collaborates with medical teams to provide essential medicine and health education, including successful birth control sensitization programs. Yakolo believes in the power of partnerships to increase and accelerate their impact, addressing overwhelming but not insurmountable health challenges in the region.
Yakolo Indimi's dedication has not gone unnoticed. In 2019, she was honored at the 74th UN General Assembly in New York for her contributions towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 1: No Poverty.
In addition to her philanthropic work, Yakolo's story is intertwined with the rich tapestry of her personal life and business ventures. She continues to lead and inspire, embodying the spirit of resilience and compassion. Ambassador Yakolo Indimi's journey is a testament to the power of one individual's dedication to making the world a better place. Her work through the Yakolo Indimi Foundation is a beacon of hope for thousands, showing that with passion, determination, and a heart for humanity, anything is possible.
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