Pastor Chris Oyakhilome honours winners at Future Africa Leaders Award 2024

In a night of inspiration and celebration, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, the President and Founder of the Future Africa Leaders Foundation (FALF), presented the prestigious Future Africa Leaders Awards (FALA) 2024 to 10 exceptional young leaders during the New Year’s Eve Service.

The event, a hallmark of the LoveWorld Ministries International calendar, radiated hope and showcased the transformative potential of Africa’s youth.

The ceremony began with Pastor T.T. Temisan unveiling the names of the winners, igniting an atmosphere filled with anticipation and joy.

Winners were selected from millions of youths who participated in the program from across Africa. The 2024 star prize winner hails from Benin Republic, while other awardees represent Cameroon, Nigeria, Libya, South Sudan, Malawi, Morocco, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, and Egypt.

This marks another successful year for the FALA Foundation, which continues to spotlight young Africans committed to making significant social and humanitarian impacts in their communities.

Since its establishment in 2013, FALA has become a vital platform to honor young African leaders who are driving impactful changes in their communities.

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This year’s awards recognized 30 nominees, selected from a pool of outstanding candidates across the continent.

Among them, one individual received the coveted Star Prize, earning $25,000, while the remaining nine winners were awarded $10,000 each, a testament to Pastor Chris Oyakhilome’s commitment to nurturing Africa’s next generation of leaders.

Addressing the global audience, Pastor Chris highlighted the importance of intentional leadership development.

“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 he should go’—we see the need to raise leaders,” Pastor Chris said.

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This year’s Star Prize winner, Julienne Ariori from the Republic of Bénin, was celebrated for her remarkable contributions to youth empowerment, education, and community development.

Her work exemplifies the essence of FALA’s mission to inspire and equip young Africans to lead transformative change.

Adding gravitas to the occasion, His Excellency Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, former President of Nigeria, delivered an inspiring keynote address.

“Go home and create awardees like you!” Chief Obasanjo charged the winners, describing them as bold, courageous, and the true pride of Africa.

He emphasized that these young leaders represent a bright future for the continent, urging them to continue their exemplary work in uplifting their communities.

The achievements of last year’s Star Winner, Mariama Gendemeh from Sierra Leone, served as a beacon of inspiration.

As a 23-year-old farmer and philanthropist, Mariama’s initiatives, including the establishment of a large-scale vegetable farm and advocacy for women’s governance inclusion, have impacted thousands of lives across Sierra Leone.

Her story underscores the transformative potential of FALA in empowering young leaders to address pressing societal challenges.

Since its inception, FALA has celebrated 120 winners, collectively making significant strides in education, youth empowerment, healthcare, and social advocacy. The awards, funded by LoveWorld Ministries, are open to all African youth, emphasizing inclusivity and dedication to community betterment.

As the 2024 winners embark on their journey, their work will undoubtedly inspire a generation of African youth to embrace leadership roles and contribute to a brighter future for the continent.