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Amid Global Pandemic, FALA 2020 Winners Impacted Africa

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Despite the outbreak of COVID-19, winners of the 8th edition of the Future Africa Leaders Awards (FALA) Foundation, an initiative of Rev. Chris Oyakhilome (PhD), founder and President of LoveWorld Incorporated, also known as Christ Embassy, reel out ways on how they continued to affects the Africa society amidst the pandemic. 

The FAL award had produced 80 winners overall across Africa since inception in 2013. The foundation identifies young leaders who are positively impacting and developing their communities, society across Africa.

At the media briefing held recently in Lagos, Nigeria, for the 2020 winners, were nine top winners and the Star winner for year were unveiled. The winners reel out their impactful programmes and dreams for the African continent and how they emerged winners. 

The Star Award Winner, a 22-year-old social activist, Gwei Michael Wawa from Cameroon received a grand prize of $25,000 as a show of encouragement and $10,000 each for other winners. 

Gwei Michael Wawa is a 22-year-old social activist, who is passionate about scientific and technological solutions for Africa’s advancement. He started an NGO called ‘Youth Empowerment through Science and Technology’ (YEST). The organization held 34 Conferences and 14 Seminars that directly impacted over 18,000 young people.

In collaboration with the College of Technology, Michael organized a mega technological trade fair, with professors in the technology/engineering sectors of various universities invited as judges to review and award over 15 new inventions, and also to sensitize over 2,000 secondary school students on continuous innovation.

He partnered with Nervtek, a tech-based NGO, to sponsor and organize a Teck Community Challenge, where 200 students from 5 tertiary institutions in Cameroon showcased their skills through design and implementation of novel hardware solutions like power banks, smart dustbins, automatic temperature/humidity regulator, soil moisture detector sensor, a robotic arm, and a metal detector. The top 3 winners received incentives worth over $1,000 (US) each and accessories to upgrade their inventions.

Due to the COVID-19 lockdown, schools in Cameroon were closed for 6 months. Concerned, Michael instituted a 3-month training project called ICT4Teens and 150 teenagers were trained and equipped in media & information literacy, robotics, web development, programming and computational literacy. Michael initiated an Agricultural Value Chain Project (AVCP), through which he established a 2-hectare plantain farm that engaged 85 University students who worked with him to create a multi-crop flour-making machine.

AVCP is currently being used as an internship program by universities for their agricultural and technological interns. For the International Youth Day, Michael mobilized over 200 young people and partnered with a local dirt handling company to carry out the biggest cleanup campaign in his city. Michael, for his exemplary accomplishments, has notable awards and commendations from the governments of Japan, Brazil, Rwanda, Kenya, Chad, Saudi Araba and Ethiopia.

Also, speaking  Babiene Helena Wenny, one of the top prize award winner for the year highlighted how she affected her immediate community in South Africa and extended her projects to Kenya. 

According to her, “During the lockdown we were completely confused, everybody was so nervous about what is going on. And as time went on, i saw the bulletin bulletin that the government is trying to find a way to feed. Many young people around South Africa, their businesses stopped and their livelihoods were changed because there was no going to work, and the government is trying to find a way”. 

“So I decided to take all the money for my bursary to support my community and for those non significant citizens in the country. The support by the government were not getting to the young people, children and households that have no health whatsoever, so I put together foods, an emergency food relief pack and I took all the grocery I could afford to support the community”

“This was the most amazing moment of my life, to see people cry like that to get so emotional that it was a beautiful day. And as the lockdown intensified you’re supposed to be three weeks, but then they still came on the screen said no we are extending, and now they’re shutting down all the schools”

“I walk into my backyard and teach them just to get them ready for the exams at the end of the year. Because the Minister of Education said that we’re not going to stop exams, so they must start from home, helping young people. So the classes” . 

The following day, the numbers of students continued to increase and this was supposed to be a lockdown. So when the police realised that there’s a lot of movement in my backyard, they  started knocking and saying that, you know, we’re just letting you know that we’ll find you. And so because of that, we have to stop the classes most importantly, don’t even have masks on”

“So you’re going to get into trouble. So, Thomas will be announced that building an online app will now to teach most lenders that want to take in a safer way, that is in trouble is God. 

Wenny noted that as pressure mounted on her she had to create an online app, and introduced a lot of learners. She posits that challenges from students and teachers intensified, no teacher want to teach for free because it’s a lockdown everyone wants to be paid. 

Wenny said that she decide to  learn about other subject to be able to teach the students. She argued that the app was a success because a lot of young learners develop intrest in it. 

“some of them are even sending us emails and ask questions through the app” .

Wenny added that she launched another campaign that was aimed to provide shoes to the feet of children in Africa, “I learnt that in Kenya, there is parasite that lays eggs on the legs of young children because they are walking long distances. I think that’s what inspired me to be Africa”

” I was limited with funds as there was no way I could send money down because of the lockdown physically and I can’t go to Kenya” . 

“Also, this project was one of the most challenging one for me because I had to look for sponsors. Now it’s not easy during a lockdown to be telling someone else that I need money to buy kids shoes, they’ll ask What about my kids” 

“Though it was challenging and I had  to take from my bursary funds. So we sent the money down and the shoes were bought, and flashed and the pictures were saved in my heart” she noted.

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Kindness Defeats Witchcraft: Apostle Suleman’s Cross-Over Lecture at ‘Mercy Night’

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Evil is very much alive and well in this world. We are reminded of this fact as we see it play out almost often. Although evil occurs and serves as a stark reminder of the cruelty that exists within humankind, showing kindness can easily defeat evil acts, which is witchcraft, lectures popular servant of God and General Overseer of the Omega Fire Ministries (OFM) worldwide, Apostle Johnson Suleman.

 

At the ministry’s Cross-Over service on Tuesday 31st of December, 2024 tagged ‘Mercy Night’, the Restoration Apostle, ably present with his wife, Reverend Lizzy Suleman, warned us to “never avenge ourselves”. To the contrary, Apostle Suleman cautions; “do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good”.

 

Usually, the natural response of man when he is hurt is to hurt back. But, Suleman says “God tells us something different”, quoting Romans 12:19–21: “Vengeance is mine, I will repay. If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

 

According to the servant of God, not only should you refuse to take revenge, but you should intentionally do good to those who you would consider your enemies. Showing them love and kindness would so confuse and frustrate your enemy that the result would be them turning to God.

“If you want to see witchcraft being rubbished in your life, engage In kindness. To recover means to regaining possession. To recover means a comeback, the return of control. To recover means to improve and to become better. To recover is renewal,” Suleman teaches, suggesting that hate must not define us.

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Agbado Youths Celebrate Historic Succession, Rally Support for Prince Akintoye as King

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Agbado Community in Ogun State erupted in jubilation on December 27, 2024, as the youths led the town in a grand end-of-year celebration to honor the historic succession of the late patriarch, High Chief Anthony Kayode Akinrinade, by his son, Prince Akintoye Olusola Akinrinade.

The event marked a significant milestone in Agbado’s journey toward justice and stability following a prolonged Obaship crisis that stifled the community’s development for over three decades. The crisis, marked by legal battles and defiance of court orders with suit number CA/IB/75/2020, was recently resolved by the steadfast judgment of the Court of Appeal, Ibadan Division. The court ruled in favor of Prince Akintoye Olusola as the rightful successor, allowing him to continue the legal fight to restore order and dignity to Agbado.

 

For 35 years, Agbado thrived as a hub of agricultural trade and economic prosperity, with 147 villages under its jurisdiction. However, internal strife caused by selfish ambitions led to stagnation and disunity. The High Court delivered a landmark judgment five years ago, but resistance by a self-proclaimed monarch delayed the community’s progress.

On the 30th of October, 2024, the Court of Appeal officially recognized Prince Akintoye Olusola Akinrinade as the ‘Stand-In’ Plaintiff, a move that has rekindled hope for the community. This recognition also symbolizes a continuation of the legacy of the late High Chief Anthony Akinrinade, whose leadership was revered by all.

The festive event, organized by the Agbado Youth Forum, drew dignitaries, elders, chiefs, and community leaders. Baale Patoko, a key figure in the community, expressed optimism about the succession, stating, “The whole of Agbado strongly believes that by 2025, Prince Akintoye will be crowned king, bringing renewed peace and progress to our land.”

Pa Theophilus Amodu, a respected elder, praised Prince Akintoye’s exemplary character, noting, “He has taken after his father in good deeds and enjoys the trust and respect of the people.”

Mr. Amodu, President of the Agbado Youth Forum, echoed this sentiment, affirming the unwavering support of the youth for Prince Akintoye’s emergence as king. “His leadership will undoubtedly usher in peace, harmony, and development in Agbado,” he said.

The event concluded with renewed hope and determination among the people of Agbado, who are confident that Prince Akintoye’s ascension to the throne will mark the beginning of a new era for the community.

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Ex banker, Femi Olushakin, others arraigned for alleged armed robbery

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A former banker turned businessman, Olufemi Olalekan Olushakin alongside two others on Thursday were arraigned before the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Ibadan, Oyo State for alleged robbery.

Olushakin —now at large— and the two suspects — Ayomide Akanbi and David Adewale— were alleged to have conspired to commit felony to-wit armed robbery and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 6 (B) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act Cap RII Vol. 14 Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004.

In the case with Charge number: MI/1672C (Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Vs. Ayomide Akanbi, M, 32 and David Adewole, M, 47): “Count 1: That you (1) Ayomide Akanbi ‘M’ (2) David Adewole ‘M’ and one Olusakin Olufemi Olalekan ‘M’ now at large on 13th December, 2024 at about 5:00pm at Global Signature Hotel, New Gbagi Road, Ibadan in the Ibadan Magisterial District did conspire together to commit felony to-wit Armed Robbery and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 6 (B) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act Cap R II Vol. 14 Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004.

“Count 11: That you (1) Ayomide Akanbi ‘M’ (2) David Adewole ‘M’ and one Olusakin Olufemi Olalekan ‘M’ now at large on the same date, time and place in the above Magisterial District while armed yourselves with guns and some other dangerous weapons did attack one Akinola Dare ‘M’ and also dispossessed him of cash sum of Two Million, One Hundred and Forty Thousand Naira (N2,140,000.00) only, property of Global Signature Hotel Limited and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 1 (2) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act Cap R II Vol. 14 laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004.”

The Police Prosecutor, Inspector Kefas Usman told court that Olushakin —a former branch manager with a second generation bank and now Chairman of LAC Autos & Spare Ltd.— alongside Akanbi, Adewale and others on the night of Friday, December 13, allegedly forcefully gained entrance into Global Signature Hotel in Ibadan by disarming the security men at the gate.

Usman stated that the suspects made forceful and unlawful entry into the hotel, went straight to the control room, destroyed the CCTV memory and cut off the CCTV machine.

“After vandalizing it, they went to the POS machine, took the machines of the company, went to the manager of the hotel, one Dare Akinola, at gunpoint took him to the cash registry to collect all the sales of the week including room sales, lodgment, bar & hall payment totalling over N2,140,000 (Two million, One hundred and forty thousand Naira).

“They went to all the rooms, rounded up all the customers, and forcefully asked them to transfer money into Olushakin’s personal account during the robbery.

“At gunpoint, they gathered everybody to the reception, laid them down at gunpoint and in fear of their lives, the customers made cash transfers to Olushakin’s accounts, they vandalized some other things, took the lodgment book, computers, and other equipment.”

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Giwa Babalola, ordered that the suspects should be remanded at the Agodi Correctional Center in Ibadan.

She adjourned the case till January 29, 2025 for further mention.

However, with Olushakin’s absence during the arraignment, the Oyo State Police Command has launched a manhunt for him with a bounty of N5 million placed on him to the public for anybody with useful information leading to arrest.

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