FALA: Twelve years and counting, 120 young Africans receive awards as FALF expends $1.5m
Jan. 3, 2024
At a time when young Africans are thinking of what their countries can do for them and with the rising spate of migration (‘Japa syndrome’) across the Africa, where young people no longer believe in the continent’s leadership, some have distinguished themselves.
The FALA awards funded by Love World incorporated and open to all African youths, has since its inception in 2013 celebrated and awarded 120 winners collectively making significant strides in education, youth empowerment, healthcare, and social advocacy, technology, agriculture, politics etc.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday in Lagos to unveil the latest winners of the awards, Pastor T. T Temisan, a member of the Executive Council, Love World Incorporated, said that since 2013, when the FALA awards was instituted, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, Founder of Future Africa Leaders Foundation (FALF), he has remained committed to raising young leaders across the nations of to help shape the future of the continent.
“Every year we have 10 winners who get $10,000 each with the star prize winner receiving $25,000 in recognition of the works they have done in their communities and the continent.
“The sum of $1.5 million has been expended on the awards in the last 12 years.”
“The purpose of the Foundation is to identify, mentor and expose young Africans all over the continent, to give them a solid platform to do more for the society.”
The Chief Operating Officer, Love World Incorporated and Chris Oyakhilome Foundation (COF), Arinze Emmanuels noted that the mission of its Founder goes beyond preaching and healing, but he is also passionate and committed to empowering African youths, amongst other programmes of the COF.
For Senior Executive of FALF, Dr Olajumoke Ola Akinsanya, the winners who are now ambassadors have been making more significant contributions within their communities.
“Winners have gained access to international funding from global associations. Governments from their own countries have recognised their contributions. We expose winners to life-changing opportunities which has amplified their works.”
“FALF serves as a platform for them these young Africans to expand their reach and it positions them ahead of others in their fields, as they share their work and inspire others.”
The top 10 winners of FALA 2024 are from Benin Republic (star prize winner), Cameroon, Nigeria, Libya, South-Sudan, Malawi, Morocco, Guinea Bissau, Kenya, and Egypt.
Meet the winners:
Julienne Ariori, a 23-year-old visionary young leader. The 2024 star prize winner from Benin Republic, is committed to creating a sustainable and self-sufficient future for Africa. Her initiatives focuses on environmental conservation, healthy living, and youth empowerment through education and innovation.
Julienne launched the “GMOs, Pesticides, STOP!” program, she locally sourced for materials and manufactured bio-pesticides thus reducing harmful chemical use by 30%. She distributed over 200 containers of the bio-pesticides to 500 market gardeners.
Ntung Ngela Landon, a 23-year-old technology innovator from Cameroon, 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 labour. The project also engaged 20 engineering students in practical prototype development.
Through her World Engineering Day campaigns, Landon has impacted 500 aspiring engineers. She organised seminars for 850 freshmen, provided internships for 100 students, and reached over 7,500 students through her Strategic Training Program for School Prefects.
Favour Bassey Effiong, a 19-year-old visionary from Cross River State, Nigeria, who 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.
Her work has positively impacted over 400,000 people across Nigeria, Uganda, Sierra Leone, and Guinea and she has helped rescue 48 girls from human trafficking.
Favour launched the Save The Girl Campaign, reaching over 500,000 people through healthcare programs, scholarships, and awareness initiatives. The campaign rehabilitated 506 teenage mothers, rescued 48 abused teenagers, and provided educational support to over 1,100 children.
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.
As leader of the TechShip program, she has provided 250 young people with vital technical and entrepreneurial skills, preparing them to excel in today’s competitive job market. Her Hour of Code initiative teaches 150 scout girls annually and is breaking gender barriers in STEM, inspiring a new generation of women in technology.
Israel Majak Yel is a 24-year-old from South Sudan who has made remarkable strides in empowering young people through technology, education, and mentorship.
He has led initiatives such as Youth Empowerment through Technology, Leadership Training programs, and Success Motivation Conferences, and founded FALF Youth Clubs, reaching over 11,000 youths in 10 government schools.
Anneckjiet Joan Kapomba, a 23-year-old visionary from Malawi, is dedicated to developing Africa by empowering individuals and communities.
Anneckjiet founded TIWAFIKIRE, a birthday outreach to elderly people, which evolved into impactful projects.
These include career guidance for youth in schools and supporting 60 girls at Nasenga Secondary School through the “Girls Get Back to School” initiative. The project, addressing school dropouts due to teenage pregnancies and early marriages, helped over 900 students re-enrol, boosting girls’ school attendance in Mangochi District by 85%.
Collins Mwangi Karungo is a 23-year-old visionary leader from Kenya, he founded TEKE, a shoe company that produces affordable, high-quality shoes.
He has distributed over 1,000 custom-made shoes to students in 35 schools. TEKE aims to reach one million students, thereby reducing shoe imports into Kenya while creating jobs. The company has employed 40 youths thus far.
Fady Atef Yousry, a 21-year-old Egyptian humanitarian, who has impacted thousands through his work.
He has distributed essential supply boxes to over 12,000 individuals, offering critical sustenance to families during their most challenging moments.
Jéssica Leonor Sampaio Balde, 25-year-old medical doctor from Guinea-Bissau, is making 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.
Akram Sebai, a 21-year-old business student from Morocco goes from aiding orphans and children with special needs to championing democracy and youth empowerment. He is determined to leverage his business education to foster sustainable development in his community.
FALA is an initiative of the Future Africa Leaders Foundation (FALF), designed to identify, celebrate, and support young Africans who exemplify leadership excellence. These young leaders make a positive impact on their generation through education, youth empowerment, mentoring, and other transformative projects aimed at building a brighter future for Africa.