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By Chinyere Anyanwu
Ten contestants who emerged winners in the Future Africa Leaders Awards (FALA) and the star prize winner, Mariama Gendemeh, a 23-year-old farmer and philanthropist from Sierra Leone, were honoured with their awards in Lagos on January 4, 2024.
•The winners
The awardees, who were presented with their plaques at a well attended ceremony, were between 21 and 24 years old and came from different countries in Africa.
FALA, a brainchild of the Future Africa Leaders Foundation (FALF), is aimed at rewarding young men and women who have shown uncommon leadership qualities in their communities and have brought solutions to identified challenges in their countries.
Speaking at the ceremony, Pastor T.T. Temisan, member, central executive council, Loveworld Nation, said: “Under the visionary leadership of Rev. Dr. Chris Oyakhilome, the Future Africa Leaders Foundation was established as a pan-African organisation committed to identifying, nurturing and empowering young African leaders making positive impacts in their communities. Over the past decade, FALF has been a leader in youth development, equipping individuals with essential skills and resources to drive change.”
Pastor Temisan explained that, since inception, “FALF has recognised 123 recipients of the prestigious Future Africa Leaders Awards for demonstrating outstanding leadership in solving problems in and for the continent, with grants totalling $1,340,000 to all winners from 30 African countries, spanning five regions.
“The years have been very impactful with our ambassadors who have played a leading role in providing sustainable solutions to their communities and nations through health, sanitation, agriculture, entrepreneurship, youth empowerment, technology, advocacy for justice and good governance in building the giant called Africa.”
Listing some of the successes recorded by the foundation, the Loveworld Nation Central Executive Council member said its collaboration with its ambassadors has enabled it to identify and support more than 77 million young individuals across 54 African nations.
He noted that, “in the outgone year, FALF made an extraordinary contribution of N500 million to propel the development and expansion of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Ogun State, Nigeria. This donation demonstrates our unwavering commitment to empowering Africa’s future leaders and preserving the rich heritage of Nigeria.
“The Foundation has strategically increased its impact through meaningful engagements with governmental stakeholders who exemplify the voice of change in Africa, such as Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of Nigeria; Madame Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the first female president in Africa; Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, former president of Nigeria; Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao, physician, activist and former African Union ambassador to the United States; Dr. Joyce Banda, former president of Malawi, Dr. Leymah Gbowee, a Nobel Laureate and distinguished peace activist from Liberia, and Dr. Jemma Nunu Kumba, Speaker, National Legislative Assembly, Republic of South Sudan.”
Still on the achievements of the Foundation, Pastor Temisan said, “through the recently established FALAGRO Ltd. and its collaborative endeavours with the FALA ambassadors network of young agriculturists, FALF has played a pivotal role in generating employment for 72,483 young individuals within its network. Simultaneously, the foundation has spearheaded revolutionary greenhouse farming initiatives. The Foundation consistently showcases its steadfast commitment to propelling economic progress and providing transformative opportunities for youths in the agricultural sector across Africa.”
According to him, FALF’s laudable projects that have had far reaching impacts on their beneficiaries include the FALF School of Learning Initiative aimed at addressing knowledge gaps resulting from prolonged ASUU strikes in Nigeria; and the establishment of an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre in Mayo Wandu, Adamawa State, Nigeria, which aims to bridge the digital divide in rural communities. This pioneering facility, he stated, has empowered over 12,079 young people through consistent training in ICT skills, enabling them to become active participants in the digital age.
In conclusion, he said, “these laudable projects reflect the Future Africa Leaders Foundation’s unwavering commitment to equipping and empowering young African leaders with the necessary skills and knowledge to create a significant impact in their communities and beyond.”
The awardees include the star prize winner, Mariama Gendemeh from Sierra Leone; Lyna Tchydre Bossa from Togo; Matilda Kahunde from Uganda; Wissal Rida from Morocco; Annick Bado from Burkinafaso; Grace Lamane Fatime from Chad; Alieu Sasay from Liberia; Emma Kwaje from South Sudan; Clinton Arko Agyemang from Ghana; and Katleho Mojakisane from Lesotho.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, the star prize winner, Gendemeh, who was full of excitement, expressed gratitude to the foundation and its founder, Dr. Oyakhilome, for the exposure and knowledge they have received, and especially for the grant.
She said the prize money would enable her impact more lives in her community and country.
Dignitaries in attendance at the ceremony included Dr. Jumoke Akisanya, senior executive officer, Future Africa Leaders Foundation; Pastor Arinze Emmanuels, senior executive officer, Chris Oyakhilome Foundation International; and Deacon Sylvester Ebodaghe, chief executive officer, National Dailies.
