Nigerian Student Wins $10,000 AFS Award

A Nigerian student studying in the United States, Ifeanyi Noel Alumona, has won the 2022 AFS Award for Young Global Citizens becoming the First African to win the prize since its inception in 1914.  

Ifeanyi, who is studying a graduate degree in Special Education at the Vanderbilt University was recognized for his campaign to end violence against women and girls through proper orientation of boys on responsible behaviour. This effort of his won him the award which came with a cash prize of $10,000. 

According to Ifeanyi, his inspiration for creating 'Boys Champions' came to him in the year 2018 after his meeting with President Barack Obama in South Africa as an Obama Foundation Fellow. This connection transformed his worldview and ignited in him the zeal to make a positive impact in his community.

On 1 October 2018, he formed the 'Boys Champions' as a youth focused group committed to providing safe space for young boys and training them to become part of the solution to ending societal violence and prejudice against women and girls in Nigerian communities. 

The AFS Award for Young Global Citizens recognizes the work of young people around the world for their commitment in improving the global community and contribute to a more just, peaceful, and tolerant world. 

Ifeanyi, a proud indigene of Enugu State, went through a very thorough and strenuous selection process beating about 500 contestants to win the award. 

The award was presented during the International Youth Day organized by the United Nations Global Communications Department, the AFS Intercultural Programs and The Youth Assembly at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

Ifeanyi is a recipient of the Nigerian Goodwill Ambassador Award, Volunteer of the Year Award by Appreciate Africa Network, Beijin China and the African Youth Award. 

Ifeanyi is also a delegate of the United Nations Youth Assembly, an Obama Foundation Fellow and United States Institute of Peace Fellow. 

Muyiwa Oki Elected First Black President, Royal Institute of British Architects

Muyiwa Oki has been elected as the Youngest and First Black President of the Royal Institute of British Architects for a two year tenure commencing from the 1st of September 2023. 

In the first round of voting, Muyiwa secured 2,456 votes representing 40% of the total votes while in the second round, he pulled a winning vote of 2,967 representing 49% as against the 2,733 votes of his closest rival, Bacon.

An elated Muyiwa Oki expressed his gratitude and satisfaction in the electoral process: "I am grateful to the grassroots movement whose support and passion offered a platform to represent architectural workers. Most of all a special thanks to those members and nominators, that responded to this movement, tuned in, and voted - especially those that did so for the first time. 

"We can be proud of an election where people of color, at different stages of their careers, of all identities, can be heard and seen bidding to represent the profession. I hope this is the start of many great things to come for those who feel disenfranchised and under-represented. 

"I am proud of my campaign, the discourse has been positive, energetic, and inspirational. It has been a privilege to run alongside Jo and Sumita and as RIBA council and Board members, I am looking forward to working with you both to deliver equity, transparency, and innovation in architecture."

Muyiwa Oki is an architect at Mace Group, a construction consultancy.  He is also a mentor and an external speaker for aspiring architects in programs that encourage greater social mobility within the industry. Throughout his career as an architect, he worked on large-scale infrastructure projects, such as the North London heat and power project and the HS2 Euston.

31 Year Old Muyiwa is the founder of the Multi-Ethnic Group and Allies network created with a focus to drive cultural change in the architectural profession.