Ferdinand Omanyala, Africa’s fastest man, has landed a lucrative deal that will see him earn millions for promoting Covid-19 vaccination in Africa. The 100-metre African record holder is expected to be unveiled today morning by Aids Healthcare Foundation (AHF), as the African ambassador for its Vaccinate Our World (VOW) Campaign.
Omanyala, currently the eighth fastest man of all time in the 100-metre race after clocking a time of 9.77 on 18th September 2021 in Nairobi, will be expected to use his voice and influence to encourage as many people as possible across Africa to get vaccinated against COVID-19 – and earn a pretty dollar from it. Omanyala finished second at the Kip Keino Classics at Kasarani Stadium, Nairobi, held in September last year.
During the press conference where he will be unveiled at AHF Plaza, 3rd Parklands Avenue, scientific research and policy perspectives will be highlighted as part of a reflection on the reality which maps vaccination rates in Africa as much lower compared to other parts of the world. The situation is attributed to the initial lack of vaccine supply as a result of hoarding by wealthy countries, and hesitancy by a significant number of people to get vaccinated.
The event will be graced by Dr Samuel Kinyanjui, Country Director, of Aids Healthcare Foundation, Kenya; Terri Ford, AHF Chief of Global Advocacy and Policy, who will join the press conference virtually from AHF Headquarters in Washington DC, USA),Dr. Willis Akhwale, Department of Disease Control and Prevention, Kenya as well as Dr Penninah Lutung, Bureau Chief of Aids Healthcare Foundation Africa.
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Based in Los Angels, United States, AHF is a global non-profit organization that provides cutting-edge medicine and advocacy to more than 1,000,000 people in 43 countries.
An initiative of the American medical society, VOW is a digital advocacy campaign to urge world leaders to ensure vaccine equity around the world.
The appointment comes barely a month after the athlete landed another lucrative job. On 3rd December, 2021, Omanyala joined the elite reconnaissance team of the General Service Unit (GSU) under undisclosed special terms.
In November handsets maker OPPO Kenya has today announced it has selected Africa’s 100m record holder Ferdinand Omanyala as its latest OPPO Ambassador. The company says, Omanyala joins the company’s O-stars team including Pascal Tokodi, Avril Nyambura, Lulu Hassan and Jalang’o.
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