The Talents of Innocent Antoine HOUEDJI, YILAA Coordinator, Recognized and Honored at the Royal African Young Leadership Forum (RAYLF)

25 juillet 2024
Envoyé par : Gloire AMANH
Catégorie : All others African Countries, Benin, BLOG, Nigeria, Publications

We are very pleased to announce that our Coordinator, Innocent Antoine HOUEDJI, has been honored at the Royal African Young Leadership Forum (RAYLF), a prestigious event celebrating the entrepreneurship, leadership and innovation of young Africans. This event was held in Ife, Nigeria, from 9 to 13 July 2024.
Written by Gloire AMANH

From 9 to 13 July 2024, the Royal African Young Leadership Forum (RAYLF) brought together 100 young African leaders in Ife, Nigeria, for a series of enriching activities, including inspiring visits, meetings with influential personalities, and the awards ceremony honouring their outstanding contributions to Africa’s development.

Among these nominees, Innocent Antoine HOUEDJI, with more than 10 years of experience in the land sector, is the founder and coordinator of the Youth Initiative for Land in Africa (YILAA), active in 25 African countries. He holds a Master’s degree in Natural Resource Management, with several other degrees and a certified degree in landscape management, agricultural data management. His expertise and collaborations with international institutions are a testament to his dedication to the promotion of land rights and sustainable development in Africa. His deepening of his knowledge of the promotion of land rights and sustainable development in Africa was rightly recognized at this prestigious ceremony.

Details of the event include:

July 9, 2024: The festivities began with an inspiring visit to the Aliko DANGOTE refinery. The 100 nominees had the unique opportunity to learn about the process of transforming crude oil into refined gasoline. This visit was marked by enriching exchanges, where the participants shared their experiences, discussed their journeys, the challenges encountered and the great resolutions for the future.

10 July 2024: The young leaders had the immense honour of meeting His Excellency OLUSEGUN OBASANJO, former President of Nigeria and patron of the event. This meeting was an opportunity for fruitful debates on current issues, bringing new perspectives and renewed inspiration to all participants.

July 11, 2024 : The visit to the bookstore of His Excellency OLUSEGUN OBASANJO allowed the nominees to discover the documentary wealth available to Nigeria, and even Africa. It was a valuable moment of discovery and learning, highlighting the importance of conservation and access to knowledge.

12 July 2024: Participants met with the Governor of Ogun State, a meeting that provided an opportunity to discuss regional opportunities and challenges, strengthening the links between young leaders and local authorities.

13 July 2024: The highlight of the event was the official award ceremony for the 100 laureates of the Royal African Young Leadership Forum (RAYLF). His Majesty, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife, personally presented the awards, recognizing the commitment and achievements of young African leaders.

This prestigious award reaffirms his commitment to driving positive change, impacting society, fostering fruitful collaborations, and shaping the global image of his country and our beloved continent. The event not only celebrated individual achievements, but also reinforced the idea that Africa’s future is bright thanks to dedicated leaders like Mr HOUEDJI.

We sincerely thank His Majesty Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, for his support and commitment to African youth. Congratulations to Innocent Antoine HOUEDJI and all the winners for this well-deserved recognition. Together, let’s continue to build a better future for Africa.