Future Africa Leaders Award
| The Future Africa Leaders Award | |
|---|---|
| Awarded for | Distinguished Developmental Project and Exemplary Leadership |
| Sponsored by | Chris Oyakhilome Foundation International |
| Presented by | Chris Oyakhilome |
| Reward(s) | $25,000 Star Prize winner $10,000 for each winner |
| First awarded | 2013 |
| Last awarded | 2022 |
| Website | futureafricaleaderfoundation.org |
The Future Africa Leaders Award (FALA) is an annual prize awarded to 10 African youths who have contributed significantly in their local communities through innovation, societal education on local and global issues, developing solutions to combat societal issues, advocacy, social education and societal awareness.[1] Each winner is given a grant of 10,000 USD and an outstanding winner among the 10 is given an additional 25,000 USD.[2] Since inception, 110 youths from 28 countries have won this Award out of thousands of entries reviewed each year.[3]
Each year, the Award holds 31st December into the New Year with all recipients in attendance physically in Nigeria. Since 2018, the ceremony has been chaired by Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo,[citation needed] with keynote speakers such as Madame President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf[4] of Liberia, President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria,[5] Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao , Solomon Dalung[6] and Nobel Peace Laureate Leymah Roberta Gbowee in attendance.[7]
Since inception, $1.35 million of grant has been given to 110 recipients from 28 African countries. [8]
In 2023, the Future Africa Leaders Foundation donated 500 million naira to the development of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Ogun State, Nigeria.[9]
Background[edit]
The Future Africa Leaders Award was established in 2013 and is organized every year by the Future Africa Leaders Foundation, a sub-organization of the Chris Oyakhilome Foundation International (COFI). The Award recognizes the role of young leaders as drivers of progress and development in Africa, and therefore only youths in Africa between the ages of 16 - 23 qualify as recipients. The selection process commences within the year where entries are submitted on the Foundation's official website, after which a review and verification process is initiated till a final list of 30 is shortlisted and presented.
It is awarded to 10 youths each year across Africa between the ages of 16 - 23 by the patron of the foundation and host of the Award ceremony, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome.[10]
Star Prize Winners[edit]
Among the ten winners each year who receive $10,000, a star prize winner emerges from them receiving an additional $25,000. Below are a list of the star prize winners each year:
| NAME | COUNTRY | YEAR | PROJECTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ajide Sharon | Nigeria | 2013 | [11] |
| Salapei Lotan | Kenya | 2014 | Salapei raised awareness in Kenya about Female Genital Mutilation, a practice considered a violation of human rights. During the international Day of Zero Tolerance for female Genital Mutilation in Kenya, Salapei gave educational talks and met and supported affected persons. Besides this, he provided solar lamps to students in a primary school in kenya. |
| Sakala Rose | Malawi | 2015 | Founded a youth group with centers across 6 Universities in Malawi collaborating with organizations to assist over 5,000 youths and women achieve their potentially viable ideas. tackle issues facing their demography. educate and empower them to live more fulfilled |
| Musodza Karen | South Africa | 2016 | Led several Youth Against Crime initiatives, organizing transformational seminars to fight crime in collaboration with the Police and other civil institutions. She impacted several thousands of youths in South Africa, earning a commendation from the Police. |
| Ekpoki Naomi | Nigeria | 2017 | At 15, she founded the Senema Love Foundation which has focused on providing education and skills acquisition to over 1700 youths.[12] |
| Isaiah Deng | South Sudan | 2018 | Contributing to national development as respite to the long civil war in South Sudan , Isaiah Deng developed a program called, 'Acquire Skills for your Future' where he taught computer skills and inspired thousands of youth on the power of sustainable development and nation building |
| Babienne Heline Eweni[13] | Cameroon | 2019 | [14] |
| Wawa Gwei Michael[15] | Cameroon | 2020 | He founded an NGO ‘Youth Empowerment through Science and Technology’ (YEST) which carried out numerous conferences and seminars, impacting thousands of youths in Cameroon. In collaboration with other institutions, he organized a technological trade fair which showcased over 15 new inventions, and a Teck Community Challenge.[16] |
| Nervis Nzomethiah[17] | Cameroon | 2021 | [18] He built a tech community called Nervtek.[19] |
| Lebsey Petmia Lebaga | Cameroon | 2022 | Lebsey Lebaga has impacted over 8000 young people in Cameroon through various conferences and seminars.[20] |
References[edit]
- ^ "Chris Oyakhilome Foundation gives out over $100,000 to celebrate African youth at FALA Awards". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2021-12-27. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
- ^ "Future Africa Leadership Foundation (FALA) Gives $115,000 Awards Prize to 10 Young Africans". Afrikan Heroes. 2021-01-07. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
- ^ Okogba, Emmanuel (2023-01-07). "FALA's perspective on African youth development, community healthcare empowerment". Vanguard News. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
- ^ Online, Tribune (2020-01-03). "Reverend Dr. Chris Oyakhilome Invites Former Liberian President To Address FALA Audience". Tribune Online. Retrieved 2023-01-12.
- ^ Online, Tribune (2021-01-06). "Ex-President Jonathan hails Oyakhilome for transforming humanity through FALA". Tribune Online. Retrieved 2023-01-12.
- ^ Busari, Niyi. "Dalung Urges Religious Leaders To Emulate Believers' Love World". Dalung Urges Religious Leaders To Emulate Believers' Love World. Retrieved 2023-01-12.
- ^ Okeke-Korieocha, Ifeoma (2023-01-10). "Foundation celebrates African youths at FALA Awards". Businessday NG. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
- ^ "Obasanjo, Leymah Gbowee Honour 10th Year Future African Leaders Award (FALA) – Independent Newspaper Nigeria". Retrieved 2023-01-14.
- ^ "Future Africa Leaders Foundation donates 500 million naira to Obasanjo's Presidential Library". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2023-01-09. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
- ^ Foundation, Future Africa Leaders. "About | Future Africa Leaders Foundation". futureafricaleadersfoundation.org. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
- ^ "FUTURE AFRICA LEADERS' ACADEMY AWARD 2013". www.pastorchrisonline.org. Retrieved 2023-01-18.
- ^ admin_edu. "Covenant Student Wins 2017 Future Africa Leaders Award Star Prize". Retrieved 2023-01-14.
- ^ "Heline Babiene Eweni: 24-year-old "Grandma" Helping Cameroonians Impacted by Secessionist Conflict, COVID-19". crcc.usc.edu. Retrieved 2023-01-14.
- ^ "Young Heroine, Babiene Heline Eweni, Claims Coveted FALA Star Prize 2019". Loveworld News. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
- ^ "FALF unveils 2020 awardees, calls for more youth involvement to help develop the continent". Political Economist. 2021-01-06. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
- ^ Adbbe, Gabriele (2021-01-06). "Gwei Michael Wawa wins at Pastor Chris' FALA Awards". Pastor Chris Oyakhilome Events. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
- ^ Krinsky, Alberto (2022-01-04). "Nervis Nzometiah Tetsop emerges as Pastor Chris' Star Award Winner". Pastor Chris Oyakhilome Events. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
- ^ "Cameroon ICT Innovation week info Session". Google Developer Student Clubs. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
- ^ Africa (2020-09-08). "Nervis Tetsop Nzometiah: "Using electronic waste will make the 3D printer low cost and affordable"". Digital Business Africa. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
- ^ "FALA Star Prize Winner 2022 Lebsey Petmia Lebaga, is Changing the Future of Africa – Chris Oyakhilome Foundation International (COFI)". Retrieved 2023-01-18.