Solomon O. Ayodele, the Head of Innovation at WEMA and Founder of Boys Quarters Africa, has won the maiden edition of the BudgIT Nigeria Active Citizens Awards.
Ayodele, Technology Innovation Manager at WEMA Bank and Founder at Boys Quarters, was shortlisted in the community service category alongside Tunde Onakoya of Chess In Slum; Idris Bilyaminu Ndassadu’Lau of YAPD4Africa and Gabriel Obinna Andrew, a NYSC community development advocate..
At the ceremony, which was held on September 10 at the Civic Centre in Lagos state, Ayodele was announced the winner of the community service category for influencing public discourse and policy reforms through his community service and innovative technology solutions.
Speaking during the ceremony, Oluseun Onigbinde, BudgIT’s Global Director, said the award is one of the organization’s signature initiatives and efforts to spotlight and recognise personalities, organizations, and agencies that are championing causes, programmes, and initiatives that have positively impacted women’s rights, community service, disability rights and inclusion, political activism, civic engagement and action, journalism, human rights, and effective service delivery in Nigeria.
“Interestingly, #ACAwards2022 is also a way of celebrating our 11th anniversary by giving back to the ecosystem in our little way,” Onigbinde said.
“I believe there is nothing more remarkable than recognising those who have consistently worked to promote the ideals of democracy. Undoubtedly, this award will engender further dialogue on the need to institutionalize a culture of recognising and celebrating the immense contributions of development leaders to effective governance and active civic space in Nigeria.”
Winners also emerged in other categories of the awards. Adepeju Jaiyeoba of BrownBotton Foundation won the Oby Ezekwesili Award for Women Advocacy. Taiwo Adebulu of Cable News took home the Award for Investigative Journalism. Sola Owonikoko of Project Enable won the Award for Disability Empowerment, while Muazu Alhaji Modu was adjudged winner for Civic Activism Award.