A Malawian Young author, motivational speaker, graduate architect and Inner City Pastor has been named among the 2014 Future Africa Leaders, cutting home a cool USD 10,000 grant from the Future Africa Leadership Awards (FALA) Gala in the process, to help expand his leadership projects.
FALA, a Believers Loveworld aka Christ Embassy President Pastor Chris Oyakhilome’s flagship programme, is an initiative aimed at exploring and expanding the leadership potential in Africa and for Africa. This is done by identifying, celebrating and supporting young Africans who have demonstrated exemplary leadership by impacting their generation positively through education, youth empowerment and mentoring, and through other projects aimed at building young people and preparing them for a positive future. This is done by sponsoring an annual award for young African leaders at different levels according to a statement on www.futureafricaleadersawards.org
Since 2013, award winners are supported by scholarships and grants to further enhance their effectiveness and leadership capacity.
On the back of Winning The African Young Professional Architect Award in 2012, Charles Miracle Lipenga,Co-founder and Director of Maestros Leadership Company, Project Inspire Malawi and Mimshak designs and rendering Studio, walked away with USD10,000 (about K5million) grant that was highly competed for among Young Africans.
His work was in the early hours of Wednesday of 1st January, 2015 recognised by Pastor Chris when his Bio was narrated to thousands of people gathered in Loveworld Convocational Centre, Lagos, Nigeria and millions across the globe who were watching the event live on all Loveworld networks and online. The narration showed how Lipenga’s work is a model of many inspiring stories of young Africans transforming communities in the continent through leadership seminars, radio programmes, street kids ministry, motivational talks and blog posts on different social media platforms and also motivational SMS content provision for Glo Nigeria.
On the opening of the awards, the director of ceremonies said, “Last year we began to recognize young people who distinguish themselves. Every year we look through the continent and identify significant quality.
We are looking at Africa tomorrow and that’s why we are seeking young people who can develop leadership quality so we can train them. This is to let them know that we recognise what they are doing. We have looked through the past year, and we were able to find several from different countries.”
Pastor Chris had a simple message to the youths of Africa.
“Young people there is hope for you and if you will give God your attention, ability and all he will help you. The number one principle to be successful is to look out for a human need and reach out to meet that need. Anyone can be a success.
“With that I welcome you to 2015,” he said.
Winners of the Future Africa Leaders Awards 2014 included the 2 Junior Category winners presented to teenagers who have distinguished themselves. The awards went to Sharon ZanMosy from Mauritius and Yemisis Basira Afolabi from Nigeria.
The senior category winners were,
- Enoch Oferibuoa. Ghana
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Jude Osakwe. Nigeria
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Thinofara mtua. Zimbabwe
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Jackson Samuel Iboror. Nigeria
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Judy Marshal. South Africa
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Lotan Salapane. Kenya
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Treasure Nkosi Nkongo. South Africa
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Cynthia Adaeze Onwujiuba. Nigeria
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Lessly Ndebele. Zimbabwe
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Charles Miracle Lipenga. Malawi
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Chris Ogbonna ogbuani. Nigeria
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Shifferau Hanna Deleke. Ethopia.
Out of the 14 winners, Lotan Salape from Kenya was the winner of the star prize of the Future Africa Leaders Award receiving a whooping 25,000 USD while the rest received $10,000 each.
Charles is still in Nigeria where among other things he is partnering with several companies who are willing to come and support the work that is happening in Malawi.
In a statement, The Maestros Leadership Company Media and publicity director Dennis Imaan saidcongratulated Charles Lipenga for representing young people of Malawi and encourage all young Malawians who are making a difference in the country and the continent to never give up and strive for excellence.
“We would like to extend an invitation to all young people, institutions, youth organizations and individuals to join our network and to run with the vision of empowering and equipping young people on the continent.
“We are planning more activities and initiatives this year and we would like to take this opportunity to link with as many institutions and young people as possible,” said the statement.