The Future Africa Leaders Foundation (FALF) on January 3, 2025, presented to the public its 2024 winners and ambassadors at a press conference held at The Providence by Mantis Hotel, Ikeja GRA, Lagos.
The event celebrated ten young Africans recognized for their exceptional leadership and community impact, and marked the 12th edition of the programme.
Founder of the initiative, Rev Dr. Chris Oyakhilome of Christ Embassy, through the programme, has empowered over 120 leaders across Africa since 2013, providing financial support and mentorship to foster transformative change in their communities in such areas of clean water access, education, and advocacy, among others.
Since inception in 2013, for instance, FALF is said to have awarded over 110 youths from 28 countries for impactful initiatives in education, healthcare, clean water access, and social justice, providing financial support of up to $25,000 per winner.
In establishing the foundation, Oyakhilome, no doubt, expresses a strong belief in the youth and also in the ideology that it is only Africans that can drive the innovation Africa needs to develop.
The foundation has thus, significantly influenced youth involvement in African communities by empowering young leaders to address pressing local issues through innovation and advocacy.
In other words, by fostering leadership skills and recognizing youth-driven solutions, FALF has inspired young Africans to take active roles in community development and decision-making processes.
Pastor Emmanuel Arinze at this year’s edition also highlighted the different dimensions and sectors in which the Future Africa Leadership Award has impacted society at large such as community development, healthcare services, education sector, etc.
He cited so many humanitarian services the foundation has rendered since inception, including an intervention program for victims of the war between Palestine and Israel - how they rendered their support to those vulnerable societies.
Award winners receive up to $10,000, with a $25,000 grand prize awarded for outstanding community impact.
This year’s star prize winner from Benin Republic, championed organic agriculture and sustainable products.
Representatives from Morocco, Libya, and Nigeria also showcased initiatives in politics, entrepreneurship, and humanitarian services, underscoring Africa’s youth-driven progress.
The Star prize winner from the Benin Republic shared with the media what winning means to her and how it has impacted her life in general. She championed organic and sustainable agricultural development by producing environmentally friendly insecticides.
She also produced toothpaste made without harmful fluorides and chemicals and according to her, draws her inspiration from her pastor, Rev Dr Chris Oyakhilome, the founder of the program.
The Moroccan representative focused his innovative activities on youth involvement in politics, which he described as a major challenge in Morocco’s political landscape.
Libya’s representative focused on entrepreneurship and technological skills, mostly on how to educate and inspire women to engage in the sector, while Nigeria representative’s ideas and innovations were on humanitarian services for local women and children. He developed a platform for women and children to speak up on sexual abuses.
0 comments:
Post a Comment