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By Henry Uche
Future Africa Leaders Award (FALA) has gulped over $1.5m as cash prizes for winners of the annual award, since inception,13 years ago.
A member of the Central Executive Council, Loveworld Incorporation, Pastor T. T Temisan, stated this at a press conference on public presentation of the 2025 Future Africa Leaders Award Winners and Ambassadors in Lagos, during which the Pastor explained that the amount was invested in the award as cash prizes to young Africans working on outstanding projects that impact lives in their localities, across Africa.
He explained that the funds were disbursed to awardees over the period to enable them carry out more projects that would improve the lives in their areas. According to the clergyman, the projects executed by the recipients impacted tremendously in areas such as advocacy, education, health, environment, technology, agriculture, etc.
Enumerating some of the numerous achievements by recipients in Togo, Kenya, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, etc, over the years, Pastor Temisan, who was also the Anchor of FALA Night Award, declared that the founder and grand patron of FALF, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, has walked the talk which can be seen in reality. He also noted that Pastor Chris is committed to the scheme because of his belief in the ability of African youths and called on good spirited individuals and organizations to support the initiative in a manner that would enable recipients accomplish their dreams of making Africa a better continent.
He explained that so far, young leaders from no fewer than 33 countries have won the prize, stressing, “selection is done without bias and religion is not a barrier, as Christians and Muslims participants have equal chances of winning”
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On last year’s award, the Pastor disclosed that of the 1,210 contestants initially picked out hundreds of thousands of entries received, 30 were selected, out of which the 10 winners emerged led by the Star Prize Winner, a 23-year- old Kenyan girl, Ambassador Rejoice Waithera. Interestingly, two Nigerian Young Leaders; Ambassadors Abraham Ogbeche and Francis Nyong, were among the winners.
“This award is a gate opener that has brought the awardees to national and global recognition. Is a stepping stone. Many of these young people are now shaping policies, influencing governments and leading major civil and development initiatives in their countries” he said.
Senior Executive Officer, Future African Leaders Foundation (FALF), Dr. Olajumoke Ola- Akinsanya, described the African continent as richly endowed, noting that the only challenge is the inability of Africans to harness the abundant resources. She observed that Nigeria’s transformation can only be driven by what she described as value-driven leadership, innovation and of course, integrity, pointing out that aides and handouts cannot drive any meaningful transformation agenda, effectively.
She also described the 2025 awardees as representatives of Africa’s untapped potentials who chose action in the face of need and changed challenges into beautiful opportunities, among others.
Lending her voice, the 2025 Star Prize Winner, Ambassador Rejoice Waithera, noted that FALF is a powerful platform that continues mentoring and empowering young Africans, maintaining that any project one can think about can be accomplished, successfully. She explained that the projects including fertilizer and soap invention, which earned her the Star Prize were not accomplished without challenges but that she surmounted the challenges with the support and encouragement of her mentors, especially the Coordinator, Chris Oyakhilome Foundation International, COFI, Pastor Arinze Emmanuel.
Other recipients included Ambassadors Yvonne Tsumbirani – Zimbabwe; Norman Chrispine Phiri – Zambia; Josue from Benin Republic; Rose Charles Kuba – South Sudan; Grace Ndagire – Uganda; Prince Amenpeni – Ghana; and Annette Ewusi from Cameroon.
