By Damian Egwuonwu
As part of activities marking the 59th session of the United Nations Commission on Population and Development, holding at the United Nations Headquarters, New York, a Nigerian female professor, Adaeze Juni Menakaya, was singled out for recognition as the recipient of the prestigious United Nations Initiative on Peace Award.
Her Excellency, Professor Adaeze Juni Menakaya, is celebrated globally for her numerous achievements and contributions to the promotion of peace, social justice, and the empowerment of women. She is also a recipient of the 2025 Global Champion of Gender for World Peace Merit Award, courtesy of the United Nations.
Professor Menakaya earned two PhDs, one in Women and Christian Education and the other in Educational Psychology and Women Studies. A front-bencher in the campaign and advocacy for women’s rights, education in underserved communities, and faith-based empowerment, she is a leader whose work with the United Nations spans diverse projects, including serving as Coordinator of Friends of Mission of Grenada to the United Nations, My Sister’s Health Watch, and as a United Nations Representative/Consultant to NGOs in special consultative status.
She attends United Nations meetings and conferences, presenting relevant statements and contributions at NGO committee sessions, and leads advocacy visits to missions on the girl-child and gender-based violence at the United Nations.
Widely applauded and celebrated for her outstanding accomplishments in the service of the United Nations and humanity at large, she has aligned herself with the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, contributing to global discussions on gender equality. Another initiative of Professor Menakaya is the Gender Priority Strategy, launched in 2020, which prioritizes gender issues through policy advocacy, education, and research.
As a woman, Professor Menakaya is concerned about domestic violence survivors and has been rendering help through programmes, counselling, and mentorship to victims of violence.
The present role of Ambassador Professor Adaeze Juni Menakaya at the global level has attracted her many recognitions and awards, including two from the United Nations. The prestigious Relevant Achievers Impacting Nations Award (Leadership Category) was conferred on her during the Annual Predecessors Event in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2024.
During her formative years, the father of Professor Menakaya had predicted, through affirmation, that his daughter would spend time championing the affairs of women, defending victims of domestic violence, and serving as a role model to the womenfolk.
Born after her mother endured three days of labour, her entrance into the world was unique in many respects, and due to the circumstances of her birth, she was dedicated to the service of women. This early experience shaped her for the task of championing the affairs of women, gender equality, education, and faith-driven leadership.
Professor Menakaya derives great fulfilment working with the United Nations and grassroots organisations, using International Women’s Day as an outreach platform to launch global campaigns on hunger solutions and encourage women to return to agricultural self-sufficiency.
According to Ambassador Juni Menakaya, her ultimate vision is for a sustainable world where women are empowered, children are educated, and communities strive to make life better for the people. She added that her greatest achievement is running a private school in Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria, where quality education is provided for children.
The United Nations Initiative on Peace Award bestowed on her at the ongoing 59th session of the United Nations Commission on Population and Development is an honour befitting a woman who, over the years, has contributed more than her quota to strengthening international collaboration within the United Nations as a global champion for world peace.