Ambassador Mark Idiahi has launched the “Face of African Future Leadership Conference and Award” (FAFLCA) to inspire and empower Africa’s youth. This initiative aims to redefine leadership and beauty by integrating mentorship, cultural pride, and social impact into a transformative experience for young adults aged 18 to 35.
In his keynote address, Idiahi, the convener of FAFLCA, said, “There is growing concern over the influence of questionable role models and leadership that can derail the lives of our youth. ” He added, “We need to provide them with mentors who represent true values, integrity, responsibility, and purpose so they can avoid these pitfalls and become leaders of impact.”
The Face of Africa Future Leadership Conference and Award targets young adults, an age group that Idiahi believes is particularly vulnerable to negative influences. The program aims to foster positive values through mentorship, connecting these young people with African leaders who exemplify the kind of moral leadership that will shape the continent’s future.
“This groundbreaking initiative blends the allure of a world-class beauty pageant with the transformative impact of a leadership conference and awards ceremony,” Idiahi continued.
The launch of the Face of Africa Future Leadership Conference and Awards coincides with a period of rapid growth in Africa’s young population. According to the United Nations, over 60% of Africa’s population is under the age of 25, making youth engagement and development more crucial than ever. This initiative is seen as a direct response to the need for more targeted programs that can help young Africans navigate the challenges they face in an increasingly globalized and complex world.
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The structured selection process for participating in FAFLCA includes registration, thorough scrutiny, auditions, and a residency program. Each stage is carefully crafted to ensure that participants not only demonstrate leadership potential but also align with the initiative’s core values. These values will ultimately shape them into responsible and ethical leaders.
The Face of Africa Future Leadership Conference and Awards is backed by the Africa Future Leadership Magazine (AFLM). This publication has long been committed to promoting the principles of leadership and good governance across the continent. AFLM is also the convener of the annual Africa Future Leadership Conference and Awards (AFLCA). This event has already enjoyed great success over the years in spotlighting African leaders who have demonstrated exceptional leadership skills.
“We believe this initiative is a natural evolution of an event that has already gained recognition and success,” said Idiahi. “The Face of African Future Leadership Conference and Award brings together the powerful combination of mentorship, recognition, and inspiration to foster leaders who can guide the continent through the complexities of the modern world.”
Furthermore, one of the initiative’s core goals is to cultivate a new generation of African leaders who can serve as exemplars of integrity, resilience, and responsibility. In the words of Ambassador Idiahi, “It is imperative that the youth of today see leadership not as a means of personal gain but as a platform for service to others. Through mentorship, we can help them understand that leadership is about making a positive impact on society.”
Also at the event, Nikisha Daniel, Director at TRIPOD UNIVERSAL MARKETING SERVICES, highlighted the importance of reconnecting African youth with their cultural heritage. “We need to promote a respectful and authentic representation of African culture, steering away from conventional modeling narratives,” she said.
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As the program begins to take shape, more than 1,000 young leaders from across the continent are expected to participate, receiving the guidance and tools they need to succeed in their respective fields.
