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Chief Florence Okonkwo, founder and chairperson of SULPCHILD, has brought together partners, dignitaries and child-rights advocates to celebrate individuals and organisations making significant contributions to the welfare and development of African children.
The gathering, which featured the SULPCHILD Summit and Pan-African Icons Awards (PAIA) 2026, held on Friday, October 30, at XNatives, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The event was also streamed globally via Zoom, with participants joining from the United Kingdom, the United States and other African countries.
Speaking at the event, Okonkwo said SULPCHILD was established on the conviction that no child should be disadvantaged by the circumstances of birth.
She expressed appreciation to the partners and supporters who had contributed to advancing the organisation’s mission, stressing that collective action was necessary to create meaningful opportunities for children.
The global conference was chaired by H.E. Amb. (Dr.) Yvette Philbert, Country Director of WHOPE, UK. Other speakers included Lord Brett McLean, The Queen’s Platinum Champion, UK; Saray Karakus, former Mayor of the London Borough of Enfield; High Chief H.E. Amb. Caroline Kalu; Irene Eribo Ani, CEO of Ebony Ambassadors UK; and Queen (Prof.) Duchess Leticia Antoinette Kapuscinska.
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At the Lagos venue, contributions came from SULPCHILD President, Amb. Francisca N. Harry, and Hon. Areh-Saliu Oluwakemi Sakiru, Education Secretary, Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Education Authority.
Delivering the keynote address, Pastor Maxwell Harry, Founder and President of Pinnacle Youth Outreach (PYO), described children as Africa’s greatest resource. He urged governments, businesses and communities to move beyond promises and establish partnerships capable of delivering measurable and sustainable improvements in children’s lives.
The Pan-African Icons Awards recognised outstanding contributions across different sectors. Recipients included CSP Balogun B. Gboyega for Public Service and Governance; Dr. Sobowale Oluwafunke Tosin and Kakulus Capital for Business Leadership; and Natives Restaurant and Gift Akwejevu for Child and Youth Champion.
Beyond the awards, the summit featured charitable gestures, including the distribution of notebooks to schoolchildren and the presentation of a wheelchair to Mercy, a student of Itua-gan Community Junior College, Amuwo-Odofin Zone. Her emotional expression of gratitude moved several guests.
The event concluded with the inauguration of SULPCHILD’s Board of Trustees, executives, Youth Exco, ambassadors and patron, marking another step in the organisation’s commitment to improving the lives of African children.
