Aanu Rotimi



2017 Winner

Position: Senior Program Officer
Organization: Partnership for Advocacy in Child and Family Health (PACFaH)
Current Location: Nigeria, Africa

M. Sc in Social Work (Community Development) from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology

Additional Degrees and Certifications:
• Research to Practice: Training in Sexual and Reproductive Health Research (SRHR) 2017 by Geneva Foundation for
Medical Education and Research, UNDP/UNFPA/WHO/World Bank Special Programme for Research, Development and
Research Training in Human Reproduction, Department of Reproductive Health and Research; Family and Community
Health Cluster (WHO/RHR), and OMPHI – Oxford Maternal & Perinatal Health Institute, with the support of the Republic
and Canton of Geneva (May – November 2017; ONGOING)
• Communications and Advocacy Training by Portland Communication UK (2017)
• Gender-sensitive Governance and Engaging Men towards Gender Equality Courses by Voices for Change and Institute
of Development Studies supported by UKAID (2017)
• Financial Management Essential (FME) training by Mango (Management Accounting for Non-governmental
Organizations) (2016)
• Communications and Advocacy Strategy and Messaging Training by Portland Communications UK (2016)
• Participatory Budgeting, Budget Analysis, and Advocacy Training by Evidence for Action (2016)
• “Gender Stereotypes” and “Gender-sensitive Governance” Courses by Voices for Change and Institute of Development Studies supported by UKAID ( 2016/2014)
• How to Change the World Statement Of Accomplishment (online), Coursera And Wesleyan University (2014)
• Storytelling For Change Certificate of Accomplishment (Online), The Ariel Group and +Acumen (2014)
• Results-Based Management Training; The University of Wisconsin’s Logic model on-line, self-study development course:
“Enhancing Program Performance with Logic Models” (2012)
• E-learning course on ‘Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health in Humanitarian Settings’ and ‘Managing Gender

• Based Violence Programmes in Emergencies’ by UNFPA, World Education Incorporation, and Save the Children (2011)

• Gender, Diversity and Transformation Certificate Course, Visthar Bangalore, Accredited by Xavier’s Institute of Social
Sciences, Ranchi, India (2010)
• Knowledge for Health Online Communities of Practice e – course by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public
Health/Center for Communication Programs, Family Health International and Management Sciences for Health (2010)
• ‘Youth Reproductive Health’ and ‘M & E Fundamentals’ Certificates of Courses completion on Global Health by Global Health e-Learning Center and USAIDS (2009)
• Gender, Leadership And Governance Training Workshop By UNFPA For Youth Network On HIV/AIDS In Nigeria (NYNETHA), (2007)
• Monitoring & Evaluation / Field Editor Training On UNICEF/NYSC HIV/AIDS, Adolescent Reproductive And Sexual Health Evaluation, Jos (2006)
• Communication & Media Skills Workshop For Young People, BBC/UNICEF, Abuja (2006)
• Training Workshop on Monitoring & Evaluation for UNICEF/NYSC Adolescence Reproductive Health & HIV/AIDS Prevention Project (2006)
• HIV/AIDS Peer Education Training and HIV/AIDS Counselling (VCT) Training under NYSC/UNICEF Reproductive Health & HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care Project (2005)
• Bachelor of Technology in Aminal Production and Health (2004)

Awards Received:

Award:
Award of Outstanding Commitment
Awarding Organization:
Health Advocates Club
Date Awarded:
September 24, 2004

Award:
Award of Excellent Service
Awarding Organization:
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology
Date Awarded:
July 11, 2001

Aanu’ Rotimi is a passionate, innovative and vibrant professional working with Health Reform Foundation of Nigeria (HERFON) as Senior Program Officer Research, Policy, and Planning. She led the implementation of the Partnership for Advocacy in Child and Family Health in Kaduna, Nasarawa and Oyo states, to advocate for increased family planning funding and fulfillment of related policies/commitments. She is an experienced advocate and researcher with a demonstrated history of working on various issues, such as maternal, newborn and child health; family planning; HIV/AIDS; gender mainstreaming; program evaluation; poverty reduction initiatives such as social and financial inclusion, among others. These have further enhanced her capabilities to cope with emerging issues in policy formulation and implementation, CSO engagement, population, and sustainable development programming. Aanu’ is proficient in knowledge management and skill transfer. Her passion motivated her and other like – minded individuals to found a university based NGO “Health Advocate Club” in 1997. Aanu’ volunteers with local organizations to facilitate health and other interventions for conflict-affected populations in IDP camps and other vulnerable groups in Nigeria. She mentors young people on leadership skills, career development and entrepreneurial skills development and provides linkages to free online courses. She is a graduate of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology where she obtained her first degree in Animal Production and Health, and her master’s degree in Social Work with a Major in Community Development. She is also a fellow of the Nigeria Institute for Animal Science and has certification in many international and national developmental courses.

“A trailblazer FP advocate in Nigeria, she engages relevant stakeholders and was instrumental in the creation of FP budget lines in Kaduna, Nasarawa and Oyo state. She believes in achieving SDG 3.7 by 2030, young advocates must be actively involved.
“

– Nominator

Describe your contributions to and achievements in family planning.

Program officer leading the advocacy for increased family planning funding and fulfillment of related policies/commitments in Kaduna, Nasarawa and Oyo states; led over 30 advocacy engagements which contributed to the creation of dedicated FP budget lines in the 3 states 2016/2017 budgets. Facilitated about 6 capacity building workshops for over 100 organizations including CSOs, FBOs, Media, Government personnel on budget advocacy/tracking and policy analysis as means of ensuring social accountability, sustainability and continuous citizen engagement. Organized advocacy retreat for Oyo and Nasarawa states legislators/executives. Currently, facilitating the development of Costed Implementation Plan, Annual Workplan and renewed commitment for passage of FP law in Nasarawa and Oyo states.

What sparked your passion for family planning?

Painful, that some of my cousins never finished school due to teenage pregnancy. Wished they had access to information and family planning services, maybe one of them would have been alive today. All these and more are embedded in my believe that everyone has the right to fulfill their inherent potentials. My inner drive is further strengthened by the fact that family planning can keep women and children safe and alive. Giving life to another should be a source of joy, not fear of the unknown

Give one or two examples of how you display leadership in your family planning work.:

As a member and later president of a campus-based club “Health Advocates Club” led various campaigns on teenage pregnancy and HIV infection among young people enhanced with my passion for learning, sacrificed vacations to volunteerism. Devoting my youth service year and resources to peer education, I was able to reach over 300 students with RH and life building skills. Also, trained over 1000 youth corp members on MDGs now SDGs as development knowledge facilitators. Now inspiring policy makers.

If you are named a winner of 120 under 40, how will you use this new platform and the $1000 grant to advance your work?

The platform will provide me the needed motivation which comes with success to resuscitate the campus-based club which was formed in 1997, and also strengthened the university community medical center in the provision of information and access to family planning and reproductive health services. Also, build the capacity and mentor young people on family planning as a key driver of achieving the SDGs, UHC and other related policies through the creation of a free and interactive online course.

Video Introduction

Photos of the nominee in the field/at work

Publications/Articles

https://www.linkedin.com/in/aanu-rotimi-b4a54120/recent-activity/posts/

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Aanu Rotimi

Aanu Rotimi

2017 Winner

Position: Senior Program Officer
Organization: Partnership for Advocacy in Child and Family Health (PACFaH)
Current Location: Nigeria, Africa

M. Sc in Social Work (Community Development) from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology

“A trailblazer FP advocate in Nigeria, she engages relevant stakeholders and was instrumental in the creation of FP budget lines in Kaduna, Nasarawa and Oyo state. She believes in achieving SDG 3.7 by 2030, young advocates must be actively involved.
“

– Nominator

Describe your contributions to and achievements in family planning.

What sparked your passion for family planning?

Give one or two examples of how you display leadership in your family planning work.:

If you are named a winner of 120 under 40, how will you use this new platform and the $1000 grant to advance your work?

Video Introduction

Photos of the nominee in the field/at work

Publications/Articles

Organizer

Sponsor

Aanu Rotimi

Aanu Rotimi

2017 Winner

Position: Senior Program Officer Organization: Partnership for Advocacy in Child and Family Health (PACFaH) Current Location: Nigeria, Africa

M. Sc in Social Work (Community Development) from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology

“A trailblazer FP advocate in Nigeria, she engages relevant stakeholders and was instrumental in the creation of FP budget lines in Kaduna, Nasarawa and Oyo state. She believes in achieving SDG 3.7 by 2030, young advocates must be actively involved. “

– Nominator

Describe your contributions to and achievements in family planning.

What sparked your passion for family planning?

Give one or two examples of how you display leadership in your family planning work.:

If you are named a winner of 120 under 40, how will you use this new platform and the $1000 grant to advance your work?

Video Introduction

Photos of the nominee in the field/at work

Publications/Articles

Success!

Position: Senior Program Officer
Organization: Partnership for Advocacy in Child and Family Health (PACFaH)
Current Location: Nigeria, Africa

“A trailblazer FP advocate in Nigeria, she engages relevant stakeholders and was instrumental in the creation of FP budget lines in Kaduna, Nasarawa and Oyo state. She believes in achieving SDG 3.7 by 2030, young advocates must be actively involved.
“