This year, 30 individuals from 20 African countries have been nominated for the highly-coveted global recognition awards, which will produce a Star Award Winner with a token of $25,000 as a show of encouragement and $10,000 each for other nominees from the founder and chief motivator of the Future Africa Leaders ‘Awards, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome. The youngsters were selected for the highly-coveted global recognition awards, from over 15million entries.
A passionate philanthropist, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome started the Chris Oyakhilome Foundation International (COFI), a non-profit, non-governmental organization with the mission to help the most vulnerable people and communities in some of the poorest countries and regions of the world.
The Future Africa Leaders Foundation (FALF), falls under the auspices of COFI and is an initiative aimed at exploring and expanding the leadership potentials in Africa and for Africa. It is for identifying, celebrating, and supporting young Africans who have demonstrated exemplary leadership by impacting their generation positively through education, youth empowerment, and mentoring through other projects aimed at building young people and preparing them for a positive future.
His charity also provides sustenance to indigent children. Through COFI Pastor Chris believes in supporting strong foundations of community by promoting good governance, accountable leadership, and sustainable development in Africa and in other vulnerable parts of the world in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals. As an ambassador for Christ and with such a diverse and successful ministry, it’s easy to see how Pastor Chris’s message has reached so many souls.
FALF helps these young leaders through training and support initiatives aimed at helping them achieve their full potentials and to use their leadership skills to improve the lives of others.
The award is open to young Africans between ages 16 and 23, and participants are expected to be registered applicants for the Leadership Initiative Award via the Future Leaders Foundation Website.
In years past, award winners (also known as FALF ambassadors) have continued in their journeys by representing Africa in many different political and social contexts, personifying their communities at the United Nations and the European Union.
Setting the Bar High
Christian Majeed Kwesi (Ghana), Gwei Michael Wawa (Cameroon), Elsa Cethia Milandou (Congo Brazzaville), Mary Mukeba Julius (South Sudan), Victor Emeka Mba (Nigeria), Tebogo Moroe (South Africa), Michelle Mumba (Zambia), Avante Susan Mafusire (Zimbabwe), Aicha Elhaj Mahamat (Chad), Mayamiko Banda (Malawi) bagged $10,000 each.
The award is open to young Africans between ages 16 and 23, and participants are expected to be registered applicants for the Leadership Initiative Award via the Future Leaders Foundation Website.
In years past, award winners (also known as FALF ambassadors) have continued in their journeys by representing Africa in many different political and social contexts, personifying their communities at the United Nations and the European Union.
One impressive example is Christian Majeed Kwesi, an inspiring 24-year-old from Ghana with a passion for transforming the youths of Africa, who was a nominee in last year’s FALA Awards. He established Young African Great Mind, an organization empowering youth for success, national development, and global impact.
Through various initiatives such as the GLOW Project (Girls Leading Our World), GROW Project (Greater Rural Opportunities for Women), Every Girl a Leader, and SMART Girl Projects, he has carried out programs aimed at helping young girls and women by educating them on their rights and leadership opportunities, also providing support for them to engage in farming and other entrepreneurial endeavors. Over 3000 girls and women have been impacted by these initiatives.
$25,000 for the Star Award Winner of 2020
It was Gwei Michael Wawa who took home the big prize of $25,000 and was named the Star Prize Winner. He is a 23-yer-old social activist from Cameroon. He is recognized as a trailblazer and exceptional leader, whose work has transformed Africa.
He founded an NGO called ‘Youth Empowerment Through Science and Technology (YEST),’ which had held 34 conferences and 14 seminars impacting over 18,000 youngsters.
Gwei Michael Wawa also organized a technological trade fair in collaboration with the College of Technology. Professors from the technology and engineering fields of multiple universities were invited as judges to review new inventions.
The young leader also organized a Tech Community Challenge, where 200 students from Cameroon showcased their skills through the design and implementation of novel hardware smart dustbins, a metal detector, automatic temperature/humidity regulator, soil moisture detector sensor, and a robotic arm, where top winners received incentives and accessories to upgrade their inventions.
Michael created a Digital Health Service platform to combat the high demand for blood in Cameroon. This platform (YEST-IN DHS) provides 24-hour online free consultation and support services for hospitals, health centers, and NGOs, helping them manage their blood donation process digitally. This solution has been adopted by 118 hospitals and health organizations across the country.
Michael was concerned about the fact that the COVID-19 lockdown prevented teenagers from attending school, so he instituted a 3-month training project for youths where they were trained and equipped in media, information and computational literacy, web development, programming, and robotics.
He also developed an Agricultural Value Chain Project (AVCP) which is currently being utilized by universities for agricultural and technology interns.
Get ready for the 9th edition of the Future Africa Leaders Awards Nomination Show Date: Sunday, 19 December 2021 Time: 6:00 pm (GMT+1). Let’s celebrate young Africans and their phenomenal contribution to nation-building, societal transformation, civic engagement, and youth development!