Glamtush reports that 10 young Africans from 10 countries have been awarded the 2024 Future Africa Leaders Awards (FALA) organized by the Future Africa Leaders Foundation.
The Future Africa Leaders’ Foundation is an initiative that seeks to identify, foster, and celebrate young African leaders making a positive impact in their communities. The mission of the foundation is to explore and expand the leadership potentials across Africa because healthy communities and nations rely on strong, innovative leaders to guide them.
The awardees were presented with the awards by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, president and founder of the Future Africa Leaders Foundation (FALF), during the New Year’s Eve Service.
The moment was further elevated as Pastor TT Temisan, a member of the Central Executive Council, Loveworld Inc., announced the winners’ names, setting the stage for an unforgettable evening.
The recipients all had extraordinary stories and impacts on their communities. However, the star prize winner of the Future Africa Leaders Award was Julienne Ariori from Benin Republic.
She stood out for her exceptional efforts in driving social change and empowering lives across her community. Her groundbreaking initiatives earned her the night’s honour and widespread applause.
Since its inception in 2013, the Future Africa Leaders’ Award, an innovation by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, has become an integral highlight of every New Year’s Eve Service. This prestigious accolade recognizes young African leaders for their commitment to driving progress and fostering development across the continent.
According to the organizers, the award sum given out so far since its inception is about $1.5m.
FALA is an initiative of the Future Africa Leaders Foundation, designed to identify, celebrate, and support young Africans who exemplify leadership excellence. These young leaders positively impact their generation through education, youth empowerment, mentoring, and other transformative projects aimed at building a brighter future for Africa.
The star award winner for the 2024 FALA received $25,000 as a token of encouragement, while other nominees were also awarded $10,000 each, generously provided by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome.
Addressing the global audience, Pastor Chris stated, “Sometimes people debate whether leaders are born or raised. But whether they are born, they must be raised. Following the Master’s teachings—‘train up a child in the way it should go’—we see the need to raise leaders.”
Adding to the event’s grandeur, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, delivered an inspiring address at the FALA 2024 ceremony.
He charged the winners to create awardees like themselves. He said, “Go home and create awardees like you!”
Chief Obasanjo lauded the winners as the new faces of Africa’s bright future, describing them as bold, courageous, and the true pride of the continent.
What you should know about the 2024 FALA winners
Julienne Ariori is a 23-year-old visionary young leader from the Benin Republic who is committed to creating a sustainable and self-sufficient future for Africa. Her initiatives focus on environmental conservation, healthy living, and youth empowerment through education and innovation.
Ntung Ngela Landon, a 23-year-old technology innovator from Cameroon, who is using technology to drive change in her community. She designed an automatic irrigation system prototype, benefiting over 100 large-scale farmers by improving crop growth, farm surveys, and reducing labor.
Favour Bassey Effiong, a 19-year-old visionary from Cross River State, Nigeria, has turned her experience as a survivor of teenage sexual assault into a powerful mission to combat sex trafficking, gender-based violence, female genital mutilation, teenage pregnancy, and unemployment.
Mawada Abdalla, a 23-year-old tech advocate from Benghazi, Libya, has become a beacon of hope and transformation in her community. With over 4,500 individuals empowered through her initiatives, Mawada’s dedication to education, career development, and social change has unlocked opportunities for countless youth.
Israel Majak Yel, a 24-year-old from South Sudan, has made remarkable strides in empowering young people through technology, education, and mentorship.
Anneckjiet Joan Kapomba, a 23-year-old visionary from Malawi, is dedicated to developing Africa by empowering individuals and communities. She aims to inspire children and young women to leverage their abilities, regardless of background, to create value.
Akram Sebai, a 21-year-old business student from Morocco, has built an impressive portfolio of civic leadership, combining his academic pursuits with a passion for community development. From aiding orphans and children with special needs to championing democracy and youth empowerment, Akram exemplifies the synergy between knowledge and service.
Jéssica Leonor Sampaio Balde is a remarkable 25-year-old medical doctor from Guinea-Bissau who is making an extraordinary impact in her community, particularly in the health sector. She pioneered an innovative project that facilitated virtual consultations between patients in Guinea-Bissau and specialists in the United States, providing vital assistance to over 300 medical cases.
Collins Mwangi Karungo is a 23-year-old visionary leader from Kenya who is driven by a passion for solving societal challenges and uplifting communities. In Kiambaa Constituency, Kiambu County, where students often walk barefoot to school, Collins founded TEKE, a shoe company that produces affordable, high-quality shoes.
Fady Atef Yousry, a 21-year-old Egyptian humanitarian, exemplifies how compassion, initiative, and selflessness can transform lives and inspire hope. Through his remarkable efforts, Fady has impacted thousands, proving that intentional acts of kindness can create lasting change.
