L-R: Director, Governance and Sustainability, Sahara Group Limited, Pearl Uzokwe; Nigerian Singer, Jude Abaga (MI); Head, Strategic Communications, Union Bank, Kemi Ogunleye; Chief of Party, Palladium (Strengthening Civic Advocacy/Local Engagement Project (SCALE), Lydia Odeh and Democracy Officer, Peace and Democratic Governance Team, USAID, Sterling Roop, during the LEAP Africa Social Innovators Programme and Awards 2021 in Lagos.
LEAP Africa Partners Sahara Group, UnionBank, Others, Award Change Makers, Sets New Track Records- The Legend News
The nineth edition of the Social Innovators Programme and awards by LEAP Africa showcase the creativity and innovation of change makers who set new records in their fields. This was made known at the opening remarks of the event by Operation Officer, LEAP Africa, Kehinde Ayeni.
Ayeni said: “Young people are the solution; they are a critical mass and we should make room seats, platform available for them to thrive, social innovation and entrepreneurship have to a large extent been demystified through various forms and LEAP Africa’s social innovators programme and awards is one of such platforms.”
The programme shows elaborate celebration of partners and sponsors invested in the fellows. UnionBank of Nigeria and Sahara Foundation support all through the journey to scaling out since 2014.
The Sahara Impact Fund (SIF) is driven by the Sahara foundation facilitating ideas and solutions towards increasing access to clean energy, mobilizing partnership to promote the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and inspiring a good governance paradigm shift.
The special panel also witnessed hosting some highly placed personalities in countering Trafficking in person in partnership with USAID, Palladium. Democracy Officer of Peace and Democratic Governance Team, USAID, Sterling Roop gave an introductory speech. SCALE Panel Discussant topic: African Youth Exploitation Abroad, who is to blame? was well dealt with by Mrs. Dinma Nwobi; Mr Evans Ehiiremen and Mrs. Blessing Alagbe including the moderator, Mrs. Ukinebo Dare.
Chief of Party, Palladium Stretching Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement (SCALE), Lydia Odeh said in her goodwill message that: “Let us all share our experience from every sector of the society to help create a world where the youths would live a life where they can achieve their full potential.”
This year’s SIPA highlights solutions developed by young innovators to creatively address challenges from food systems, biodiversity loss, environment, InfoTech, gender equality to education and skills development.
Social Innovations Programmee awards theme Youth in Action SIPA – Moving from Hype to impact resonates Strongly with the commitment of the SCALE project as it reinforces the invaluable role of the young and good governance across sectors.
Odeh emphasizes that LEAP Africa will continue to advance prevention, protection, prosecution and policy reform initiatives through capacity strengthening and increased integrations across advocacy sectors to effectively engage and embolden the youths to drive sustainable change.
The presentation of the awards was done in styles starting with the countering Trafficking award, followed by Outstanding fellow award that goes to Dami, Sahara impact fund award, Dr. Pamela Hartigan Prize for Social innovation goes to Dr. Abiodun and Mr. Seyi Bickersteth Prize for Financial Accountability, SIP Fellow award goes to Tayo Oyinlola.
The peak of the exciting moments was the poem rendered by a spoken word artist. Earlier the event was kick started with talks from Jeroo Billimoria, Angel Adelaja, Jude Abaga Popularly called MI and Evon Benson-Idahosa as Music Singer, Naomi Mac entertained the audience.
