African Achievers Awards 2012

Yinka Alli Balogan is a woman on a mission. Her vision? To see Africa ‘become a place of great achievement’ and she believes members of the Diaspora like herself have a significant role to play in realising this dream.

The British Nigerian is currently undertaking a graduate Traineeship at Wirral Council, alongside this she has been busy making her vision a reality by organising a new ceremony, ‘The African Achievers Award’ to celebrate the success of those on the continent and around the Diaspora.

Yinka is no stranger to achievement; she herself is a graduate of OBV’s MP Shadowing Scheme 2010, a recipient of the ICONS award for her contributions to student life and more recently, she was awarded funding to create a community garden in her local area of Kensington, Liverpool.

The African Achievers Award, which takes place on Wednesday, will be recognizing and honouring a host of well-known officials such as Vice President of Malawi, Hon Joyce Banda who has been named as one of Forbes' most powerful women. As well as high achievers, there is also recognition of upcoming individuals such as 10-year-old Junior British Tennis Champion Michael Mhangami. Yinka hopes that the African Achievers Awards will have the same impact of highlighting positives as well as raising awareness like Operation Black Vote has done over the last 15 years.

The event will be held at Kings College, Tutu's Place, named after alumni member Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Archbishop Tutu was also a recipient of the African Achievement Awards in tribute of his fight for Human Rights, Justice and Peace.

The Showcase will be hosted Nollywood actress Joke Silva and Comedian Julius Agwu alongside keynote speakers H.E. Babatunde Fashola S.A.N (Executive Governor of Lagos State,Nigeria) and Dr Funmi Olonisakin. The event will also get top billing on TV, covered by AIT and BEN TV.

The event is about showing the serious strides Africans are making in the world. although this does not mean that the organisers have spared us quality entertainment. Entertainment will be provided by International celebrities like MOBO award winning artist 2 Face as well as Akon’s in-house producer and Ghanaian-British rapper Sway.

For more information, click here.

Rhona Asmah