THE FUTURE AFRICAN LEADERS AWARD 2013

THE FUTURE AFRICAN LEADERS AWARD 2013

The Future Africa Leaders Award is an initiative of the Chris Oyakhilome Foundation International and it is aimed at exploring and expanding the leadership potential in Africa and for Africa by identifying, celebrating and supporting young Africans who have demonstrated exemplary leadership by impacting their generation positively through education, youth empowerment and mentoring, and also through other projects aimed at building young people and preparing them for a positive future.

Award winners will be supported by scholarships and grants to further enhance their effectiveness and capacities. The Future Africa Leaders Award is sponsored by the Chris Oyakhilome Foundation International and enjoys further support from various other foundations interested in raising leaders for Africa’s future.

The President’s Opening Remarks

The award ceremony for the outgoing year 2013 began with an opening address by the President, Believers’ LoveWorld Incorporated, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome (PhD). In his opening remarks, he pointed out that one of the necessary focus areas for us in Africa in 2014 would be Africa’s future. He added that though a lot has been done in this area in times past, more effort would be put in this direction. According to him, the future of Africa is very important not only to Africa but also to the whole world.

In his remarks, he stressed that it’s impossible to successfully think about the future of any society without thinking about children and young people. Furthermore, the man of God added his voice to the voices of many around the world calling for a more inspiring leadership in Africa. He explained that there’s a need for inspiring leadership in all the sectors of society in Africa, saying that to build a more prosperous and successful continent, African leaders and Africans must focus on education. Pastor Chris said, “we must review the mis-education of the past and in addition review the present inadequate and ineffective academic curriculum of the school systems”. He also added that there is a need for Africa to create a new qualitative curriculum that can actually lead people into a successful future. In his remarks, the schools should no longer be places where children are camped to keep them from disturbing the polities of the day rather, Africa’s Children should go to school to really learn in such a way as to become better citizens and build better societies.

According to the man of God, the importance of this is underscored in the scriptures themselves. Pastor Chris said that God in His Word gave us His wisdom when He said, “when a man who has been a leper is healed of leprousy, he must wash his clothes, [and] even his house. This is to prevent him from been re-infected by his environment.” Explaining further, Pastor Chris told the audience that no matter how successful an individual is, until and unless he makes his environment, his country, or the city where he lives or works part of that success, his success will be in danger of failure.  Admonishing further he said, “you are not successful until your environment is successful. Always remember that it cannot be you and you alone. True success and achievement must include you and us”.

The President of Believers’ LoveWorld Incorporated affirmed saying, “on our part as a ministry, we are participating in several projects to help build better societies. Not only are we providing housing for the poor, clean water in different communities, transportation, building and renovating schools, we are also training people all the time. We are training and raising leaders so they can help their communities and strengthen their societies so they can fulfill their dreams and serve God in the right environment”.

Finally, he admonished by saying; “in 2014, I ask that you give your time to these pursuits. Train and empower the youths, educate the children and get them ready for the future”.