On May 1, 2024, the Luminary Awards prize presentation ceremony brought together leaders in community development to celebrate their impactful social initiatives. Held at Pitstop Lagos, this year’s ceremony honored 20 changemakers from diverse sectors including education, anti-drug abuse, tech skills, human capacity building, health, sports, welfare, elderly care, safety, and female empowerment, among others.
With over 45,000 public votes cast through the Luminary Awards e-voting portal, the ‘Project Grey Elderly Care initiative’, led by Vera David-Emesiobum, emerged as the Luminary Awards 2024 winner. Close behind were, ‘Be a Gift to All Foundation’, founded by Peter Aloya, and ‘Seedtime Foundation’, directed by Adetola Oladeji.
Among 76 nomination entries received between December 2023 and February 2024, the top 20 changemakers stood out, impressing a panel of judges comprising Ayokanmi Ayuba, Deputy Country Director at TechnoServe Nigeria; D.J.O. Majekodunmi, CEO of Pact Universal; Eliezer Ajah, Learning and Development Specialist; and Oluwaseyi Kehinde-Peters, Founder of PAWEN. These nominees’ initiatives and projects were reviewed based on four criteria: Consistency and Sustainability, Addressing Critical Community Needs based on the 17 SDGs, The Extent of Impact, and Assessment of Evidence Provided.
“This award is not just mine; it belongs to all of us dedicated to making a positive impact in the lives of others,” said Vera David-Emesiobum upon receiving the award and a cash prize of 1 million Naira during the Luminary Awards 2024 ceremony.
During a keynote speech delivered by Doyinsola Ogunye, an environmental advocate and Goalkeeper at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, she urged all changemakers to continue positively impacting their communities. Ogunye emphasised the importance of using social media for visibility rather than popularity and highlighted the significance of networking, collaboration, and partnerships in making meaningful contributions to society.
Reflecting on the Luminary Awards, founder Napa Onwusah stated, “We established the Luminary Awards as a platform to celebrate and honor changemakers doing amazing work, often without seeking recognition. These individuals are passionate about helping humanity thrive and are relentless in their efforts to positively impact lives.”
“While the 1 million prize goes to the Luminary Laureate, we provide cash gifts to others in the top 20 changemakers list to fuel their projects and initiatives. Although this is only a token, we continually seek support and partnerships from individuals and organisations passionate about human empowerment to help us provide more support for these luminaries.”
Also in attendance at the prize presentation ceremony were Ike Eze, Founder of Beta Ventures, Ogo Onwuzurike, Country Manager (Nigeria) at Truecaller, Thelma Ilems, Media and Communications Consultant, and Oluwatomisin Amokeoja, Journalist at Forbes Africa.
For additional information about Luminary Awards, please visit our website: www.luminaryaward.com.
About The Luminary Awards
The Luminary Awards, founded by Napa Onwusah, is a prestigious initiative dedicated to recognizing and celebrating individuals making exceptional contributions to their communities. With a mission to highlight the transformative impact of everyday heroes, the Luminary Awards aim to empower and uplift communities through financial support and public acknowledgment.