The President of Loveworld Incorporated and Founder of the Future Africa Leaders’ Foundation (FALF), Rev. Dr. Chris Oyakhilome on Saturday, awarded 10 youths from 10 different countries across Africa who were the finalists that were selected after the Foundation’s nomination show that held earlier in December 2022.
Every year, the Future Africa Leaders’ Foundation recognises, celebrates and awards youths who set themselves apart by carrying out different community projects towards national development in the African continent. A nomination show is held to go through the exploits of these youths; during which 10 winners are selected. The 10 winners are then celebrated and awarded during the ministry’s Dec. 31st New Year’s Eve Service in Nigeria. Each winner is given a certificate, an award plaque and a sum of $10,000 cash prize. The star Prize winner out of the 10 winners get to recieve an additional plaque as well as additional $25,000 cash prize.
The 2022 edition of the award featured youths from 10 African Countries; they are Victor Eyo 19, from Nigeria, Lebsey Lebaga 22, from Cameroon, Bakaki Yusuf 23, from Uganda, Portia Manyaya 20, from Ghana, Princess Mayamiko Zulu 20, from Zambia, Gracious Mazivanhanga 24, from Zimbabwe, Hidaya Tlemcani 19, from Morocco, Chidzungu Azaria Tendayi 20, from Malawi, Elizabethl Aguil 20, from South Sudan and Grace Lekwuwa 21, from the Republic of Benin. 22-year old Lebsey Lebaga emerged the star Prize winner of the night.
Present at the ceremony as the chairman was the former president of Nigeria Chief Olusegun Obasanjo GCFR, who gave a keynote address titled: ” The Imperishable Of Life Here and There.” In his speech, the Ex- President admonished the congregation on the importance of focusing on things of eternal value both here on earth and there in heaven. President Obasanjo said: “for me, Imperishable here is your character and relationship with man and Imperishable there in heaven is attitude and your relationship with God.
“You bring nothing tangible here and you will take nothing tangible there. The intangibility of your character and relationship with people is what counts. You will give stewardship over there (heaven). We must number our days so that our hearts can apply wisdom for our imperishable treasure to be rightly laid up where our hearts should be. Leave the perishable that will hinder your service to God and focus on the imperishable.”
The special Guest for the occasion, Her Excellency, Dr. Leymah Gbowee, President, Gbowee Peace Foundation, Liberia and Nobel Peace laurette Winner 2011 also spoke on “The Possibility of Promise.” sharing her story with the congregation, she said anything is possible for anyone who is wilting to dream and determined not to give up on the dream.
Speaking on the reason for the awards, the Founder, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, said the awards is the Chris Oyakhilome Foundation International’s contribution to solving the problem of leadership in Africa. The award is to celebrate African youths for their exemplary actions. “We are aware of the peculiar situation of leadership in Africa; and this is our contribution to build leaders from the youths. That’s why we are doing this. talk like to promote their works, support them and give them some form of mentorship.” The Award is in its tenth year; and all previous star prize winners were present at the event to celebrate the tenth anniversary.
