Africa Youth Awards, the continent’s most coveted awards for young people have announced the winners of its 2016 awards, which engaged over 170 shortlisted nominees, and received voting participation from over 145 countries from across the world. Voted as the African Youths of the Year were Albert Kusi (Ghana) founder of LEC Foundation and Ilwad Elman, Somalia’s Social Activist and Director of Programs and Development at the Elman Peace and Human Rights Center. Albert Kusi is also the pioneer of Success Conference, West Africa’s biggest annual empowerment summit which has impacted thousands of young people and has transformed lives whiles Ilwad Elman doubles as the Director of Sister Somalia, Somalia’s first program for assistance of victims of gender-based violence which provides counseling, health and housing support for women in need.
2016’s winners hail from 11 countries and were determined by public votes, which were received from over 145 countries within 21 days.
Other notable winners are Souhila Ben Lachhab (Algeria) for musician of the year and Teacher Mampire (Uganda) for Discovery of the year. Mohammed Ibrahim Jega (Nigeria), CEO of Emerge Tech Africa was also voted as 2016 Entrepreneur of the year. Prince Akpah, cofounder and President of Africa youth awards declared the third edition of the awards as a great success and a true testament of the contributions of young Africans to the development of the Africa continent.
He also emphasized that the stories of these young Africans would inspire more young people as they gear up to take up various leadership positions in their individual pursuits of moving the African continent to the next level Below are the full list of the winners:
1. Llwad Elman, Elman Peace and Human Rights Center (Somalia) – African Youth of the year (female).
2. Albert Kusi-Lec Foundation (Ghana) – African Youth of the year (Male)
3. Mohammed Ibrahim Jega, Emerge Tech African (Nigeria) – Entrepreneur of the year.
4. Souhila Ben (Achhab (Algeria) – Musician of the year
5. Teacher Mpamire (Uganda) – Discovery of the year
6. Christopher Seagateng – Botswana Jobs for Graduates (Botswana) – Award for youth empowerment
7. Zixtech Organisation (Cameroon) – Social Enterprise of the year.
8. Manaseeh Azure Awun, Joy 99.7FM (Ghana)) – Journalist of the year.
9. Dr. Kofi Osei-Kusi, Osei-Kusi Foundation (Ghana) – Special Recognition Award.
10. Gaku Biriri (Kenya) – Social Enterpreneur of the year
11. City Tydes Limited – (Kenya) – startup of the year
12. Nana Diaby – Phiphi plus (Mali) – Media personality of the year
13. Olalekan Ayodele Sipasi, L’afrika Integrated Farms (Nigeria)0 – Award for Agriculture.
14. Nuhu Ibrahim Alabura, India Dental Association (Nigeria) – Health personality of the year.
15. Muhire Jean Claude – Young African Leaders Forum (Rwanda) – Leader of the year.
16. Adyne-Africa Diaspora Youth Network Europe – (Somalia) – Civil Society of the year.
17. Dirboga Bakoh (Irenee), Sukuvi (Togo) – Award for Education
18. Sylivia Kakvo, Kakyo Girls Initiative (Uganda) – Advocate of the year.
The awards celebration will be hosted during the Heads of State Summit in Addis Ababa this year. The event will be in partnership with the African Youth Commission, Avance Media, Global Skills Exchange, My Naija Naira 88 creatives and Dream Ambassadors Foundation GH.
-Source Africa Youths Awards