- Says 123 young Africans benefits from grants in 11 years
- Foundation commits US$1.3 million to sponsoring youths in 30 African countries
The pan-African organisation, Future Africa Leadership Foundation (FALF), established by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome Foundation organisers of the Future Africa Leaders Awards said no fewer than 123 recipients from across 30 African countries spanning five regions, who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in solving problems for the continent have won the prestigious awards in the last 11 years and grants totaling USD 1,340,000 spent to drive change across Africa.
Member, Central Executive Council Loveworld Nation, Pastor T.T. Temisan who disclosed this at the official unveiling of the 10 overall winners and the star winner of the 2023 Future Africa Leaders Awards (FALA) at the prestigious Providence by Mantis Hotel, Ikeja Lagos, said the awards is committed to identifying, nurturing, and empowering young African leaders to make positive impacts in their communities.
According to him, over the past decade, FALF has been a leader in youth development, equipping them with essential skills and resources to drive change in their various communities and countries.
According to him, the award continues to pick its change agents across the five regions of the African continent through their initiatives in the areas of health, sanitation, agriculture, entrepreneurship, youth empowerment, technology, advocacy for justice and good governance in building a better continent.
Temisan said in the outgone year, the Foundation working with its youth ambassadors (past winners), have identified and supported more than 77 million young individuals across the 54 African nations.
“FALF made an extraordinary contribution of N500 million to the expansion of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, Ogun State as part of its commitment to empowering Africa’s future leaders and preserving the rich heritage of Nigeria,” Temisan said.
He added that the FALF Masterclass summit streamed on Kingschat and the FALF website, with an impressive participation of 8 million young individuals from 54 African countries, adding that the summit has served as a catalyst for inspiration and empowerment, promoting a renewed sense of hope and driving positive change on the continent.
The Foundation also had meaningful engagements with governmental stakeholders with among others, the former Nigerian President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, the first female President in Africa, Madame Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, former President of Nigeria, Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao, Physician, activist, and former African Union Ambassador to the United States, Her Excellency , 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, all of whom exemplified the voice of change on the continent.
Temisan said the Foundation broke new grounds in North Africa and have established enduring connections in the Maghreb region, while through its recently established FALAGRO Ltd., it is collaborating with the FALA ambassadors to generate employment for 72,483 young individuals within its network and is building new crop of young agriculturists to spearhead greenhouse farming initiatives and provide transformative opportunities for youth in the agriculture sector across Africa.
To bridge the knowledge gap for leadership in Nigeria, FALF established the FALF School of Learning Initiative and established the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Centre in Mayo Wandu, in Adamawa State, Nigeria to bridge the digital divide in rural communities.
“This pioneering facility has empowered over 12,079 young people through consistent training in ICT skills, enabling them to become active participants in the digital age.
“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 Senior Executive Offier Chris Oyakhilome Foundation International Pastor Arinze Emmanuels, said COFI is happy that another one of its many initiatives is already causing ripples across the African continent.
He said the President and Founder of the Loveworld Nations is happy that FALA is already making waves across African nations and hopes that the initiative would continue to unveil young Africans who are making great impact in their various communities and nations across the continent.
Earlier, the Senior Executive Officer Future Africa Leadership Foundation Dr Jumoke Akisanya said though peace and security will receive utmost attention this year, focus would still be on its major focus areas of education, technology, humanitarian advocacy, agriculture, entrepreneurship advocacy, youth empowerment.
Speaking on her programme the star winner for 2023 Mariama Gedemeh, said her focus would be the empowerment of women especially widows using agriculture and rice plantation and potatoes.
Miss Gedemeh while appreciating the founder, Pastor Chris for coming up with the initiative, said she would be collaborating with past FALA winners to push for peace and security on the African continent knowing that without peace and security, the continent will not be a safe haven for investment.
Gedemeh said the Award has provided her with the biggest platform on the African continent to join forces with other stakeholders in the onerous task of building a prosperous Africa continent.
Former FALA winner 2021 from South Sudan Anna Maneno said the award has opened for her very high opportunities as she has had to represent her country even at the United Nations to speak on youth and women inclusiveness. She urged the African youths not to belittle themselves or have low esteem, but rather dream big, and believe that they are the solution to the many challenges confronting the continent.
She said it is time for the story of South Sudan to change from the sad themes of poverty, avarice, war, and underdevelopment to one of beauty, growth and a prosperous African nation.