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ABOUT THE MILLENNIUM FELLOWSHIP - CLASS OF 2024

United Nations Academic Impact and MCN are proud to partner on the Millennium Fellowship. This year, 52,000+ young leaders applied to join the Class of 2024 on 6,000+ campuses across 170 nations. 280+ campuses worldwide (just 5%) were selected to host the 4,000+ Millennium Fellows.

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UNITED NATIONS ACADEMIC IMPACT AND MCN PROUDLY PRESENT HABEEB OLUWATOSIN ADELEYE, A MILLENNIUM FELLOW FOR THE CLASS OF 2024.

Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta | Abeokuta, Nigeria | Advancing SDG 3, SDG 13, SDG 2 & UNAI 2

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" "As a Millennium Fellow, I am excited to collaborate with like-minded peers who are passionate about driving social change. I do the work I do because I believe in the power of collective action to create a more equitable and sustainable world." "

Millennium Fellowship Project: One Health Awareness

Over the past five years as a veterinary medicine student, I have attended numerous webinars, conferences, and workshops on One Health. These sessions primarily focused on the critical role of veterinarians in addressing One Health challenges and promoting advocacy. In my view, effectively tackling One Health issues requires collaboration among all relevant stakeholders. This perspective inspired me to emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration as the core element of my Millennium Fellowship project.
Although I had previously considered executing this project, circumstances delayed its implementation. However, being selected as a Millennium Fellow Class of 2024 motivated me to take action. The program not only provides impactful classes that build our capacity but also requires us to execute projects aligned with one or more of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). I chose to focus on raising awareness about One Health.
On 16th November 2024, I hosted a webinar and would like to share some key highlights from the session.
During the webinar, it was established that mitigating One Health crises is best achieved through a multi-professional approach.
Dr. Maryam, while outlining the role of veterinarians in promoting One Health, emphasized that understanding zoonotic diseases is central to their involvement. She detailed the critical aspects of zoonotic diseases, including their etiology, transmission, pathogenesis, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, management, prevention and control.
She also highlighted the importance of educating livestock farmers on appropriate use of antimicrobial, ensuring pets are properly vaccinated, and fostering general public awareness.
Dr. Ismail summarized the role of medical doctors in One Health into three key functions:
1. Detection of disease outbreaks
2. Response to outbreaks
3. Provision of solutions
Mr. Oloyede said one thing that happens to everyone regardless of their profession is the environment. He emphasized that this shared connection translates to a collective responsibility for ensuring a safe and sustainable environment.
As the discussion progressed, the facilitators underscored the importance of leveraging the media for advocacy. They noted that effective use of media requires understanding the target audience and selecting the right platforms for communication. The media provides global connectivity which is crucial for promoting policy and advocacy of One Health.
Mr. Abiodun further emphasized the need to reach underserved communities through continuous efforts, delegation, and the creation of simple, precise, and inclusive content, including the use of local languages. He expressed confidence that these strategies could elevate One Health advocacy to greater heights.
Dr. Maryam also expanded on the role of veterinary public health professionals, particularly in surveillance, case reports,vaccination and building immunity. Dr. Ismail added that some zoonotic diseases, being communicable, often lack effective treatments, making vaccination a critical preventive tool. He advised consistent use of personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling animals, maintaining good sanitation practices, and avoiding contact with blood, fluids, scratches, or bites from potentially diseased animals.
Finally, Mr. Oloyede highlighted human activities that contribute to climate deterioration and proposed sustainable alternatives to mitigate their impact.
The webinar reinforced that everyone has a role to play in One Health, underscoring the importance of collaboration across all sectors.
As part of my ongoing project, I extended One Health advocacy to secondary schools in my locality. On November 20th and 21st, I visited Muslim High School, Isolu, and FUNAAB International School, respectively. During their morning assemblies, I simplified the One Health concept to make it relatable and engaging for the students. These sessions were highly interactive and thought-provoking.
Finally, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my dedicated colleagues, whose unwavering support and collaboration have been instrumental in driving this advocacy forward. Together, we are creating a meaningful social impact and inspiring change.

About the Millennium Fellow

Habeeb Oluwatosin Adeleye, a fifth-year Veterinary Medicine student at FUNAAB, is a seasoned leader with a strong history of involvement in student politics and NGOs. Starting as a senior prefect in high school, he transitioned into university leadership roles, including positions within FUNIEC, where he contributed significantly to election processes. Beyond student politics, Habeeb is active in international organizations like IVSA and serves as a brand ambassador and strategist. He is committed to social impact, participating in numerous summits and volunteer activities, and is open to collaborations and networking.

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