Tonto Dikeh Is Not a UN Ambassador

Misbar’s investigation into the famous actress's new ambassadorial role with the UN shows it is false. We searched the United Nations' (Nigeria) official website, and found no such mention of a “United Nations Noble International Ambassador." There was also no mention of Tonto Dikeh’s name as a recently appointed ambassador.

A search for the term ‘UN Rescue Services’ however, shows the official website of the organization behind Tonto Dikeh’s purported appointment. The organization describes itself as an ‘international caregiving, non-governmental and non-religious organization’ whose mission is to ‘promote the United Nations' humanitarian services globally and advocate on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)." While Dikeh has been appointed to an ambassador role, the organization is not a member of the United Nations.

This was corroborated by the Director of the United Nations Information Centre for Nigeria, Ronald Kayanja, to the BBC News Pidgin, who said the award has nothing to do with the United Nations. According to him, several civil society organizations worldwide do participate in the UN meetings of the Economic Social Council (ECOSOC), but that does not mean that they are members of the United Nations. 

He explained further that while these organizations have what is called ‘consultative status,’ that still does not make them the United Nations. He also doubted whether United Nations Rescue Services even has any such standing with the UN. 

He further stressed in the interview that no organization has the right to give awards using the United Nations' logo.

This is the second time this year that the actress has been be embroiled in a false claim. Earlier in February, she had claimed that she was appointed as an ambassador of Peace Building by the Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC). This was, however, swiftly debunked by the association.