By Tolulope Oguntimehin

Nigerian youth advocate and former special Assistant to Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Ann-Melody Oluwakemi Areola has been conferred with the Leadership Hall of Fame Award in Ghana as one of the 110 Outstanding Women in Africa for 2022.

The award is coming on the heel of her excellent contributions to youth empowerment projects, discourse and being a voice for the voiceless youth across Nigeria and Africa

Receiving the award, Miss Areola thanked the organisers for deeming it fit to recognize her, stressing that she never knew that her little contribution across Africa is being observed.

The eloquent youth Advocate dedicated the award to all the youth in Africa.

“I am really surprised to have been given this award and being found worthy to be in the midst of these lovely people across Africa is really a privilege. To be counted among the 110 most Outstanding Women in Africa is no mean feat

“I just want to thank the organizers and dedicate this award to so many young people out there who are trying to influence humanity through their work and craft, that they should not relent and together we can make Africa a befitting place for the upcoming generation.”

Oluwakemi Areola worked as the Special Assistant for Youth, ICT, and Corporate Relations to the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, where she engaged with the private sector. As PR professional, she utilized her relationships to get things done.

During her time the ministry was able to successfully train about 400 thousand young people in courses such as cybersecurity, e-commerce, robotics, and more through leveraging private sector relationships.

She has also continued to influence her surroundings through initiatives that has helped improve the lot of young Nigerians. Her foundation – Kemi Ann-Melody Foundation, KAMAF which is to provide for the well-being of children by improving access to education, family welfare to empower women and youth to become agent of positive change and transformation thereby reducing poverty, conflict mitigation and enhancing social bond

The foundation has completed over 234 projects in three major areas which are education, advancing welfare and rights of children

Some of the awardees as part of the custom were inducted as fellowship of Mentorship and Business institute