CLiMB researcher wins prestigious WHO World No Tobacco Day award for the African Region

Charity Aienobe-Asekharen stands in front of a poster explaining her prize winning project to reduce tobacco use in young Nigerians

CLiMB research associate, Charity Aienobe-Asekharen, has won the World Health Organization World No Tobacco Day (WHO WNTD) award for the African Region.

The WHO WNTD award acknowledges individuals and organisations making significant strides in advancing tobacco control efforts worldwide. Charity was recognised for her participatory research approach to tobacco control focusing on young people in Nigeria.

To tackle the increase in smoking among young people in Nigeria, Charity worked with secondary school students from public and private schools to co-design targeted communications and identify local resources to help address the causes of tobacco use.

Communications produced included posters, a song and an animation with promised support from the National Orientation Agency (NOA) for TV airtime to continue promoting health messages designed by and for young people.

Charity commented, "I am grateful to the schools, students, media firms, key stakeholders in tobacco control and non-governmental organisations who trusted me and worked with me despite competing responsibilities. It is a testament to their drive for inclusive health and wellbeing in Nigeria."

This marks the second time Charity received this prestigious recognition, with the first award presented in 2018.

Find out more about the World Health Organization’s World No Tobacco Day.

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