The Chief Executive of Connected Development, Hamzat Lawal has won the African Humanitarian Award at the maiden edition of the African Heritage Awards held in Kigali, Rwanda on Saturday.
Hamzat Lawal, who is also the of Follow the Money, another anti corruption oriented African-based organization carrying out people oriented programmes in Nigeria and other African countries in support of Sustainable Development Goals, dedicated his award to his mother whom he said was his teacher and greatest inspiration in life.
Hamzat who was elated to share the award stage with other prominent Nigerian and African leaders said the award will motivate him to continually put his best in meeting the needs of rural dwellers, the vulnerable people and most importantly, helping to deepen democracy in Nigeria and Africa.
Delivering his emotion laden speech which focused on promoting the , Hamzat said more grounds need to be covered as many people in rural African countries are still in need of basic information that will better their lots.
In his words, Hamzat said “I dedicate this award to my mother, who struggled to get educated, but because of her culture and religious norms, she was stopped from going to school.
He described his mother’s struggle to see him through school as the greatest legacy and investment ever made in his life and he has since then promised to replicate the gesture through humanitarian works and educating other .
The award stage was an opportunity for him to also speak on the rapid expansion of Follow The Money, which now has over 7,000 users across the world
Hamzat said Follow the Money is currently in 10 African countries with 90,000 young people organizing, mobilizing, and following taxpayers’ money to ensure the effective use of these resources for their own good and development of their societies.
It was the belief of Hamzat that Africa can be greater than what it is today if leaders to be prudent, sincere and accountable when public funds to handle.
Mallam Lawal sits on the Executive Board of Africa’s most significant youth movement – African Youth Initiative on Climate Change.
His advocacy has made him one of the top six young changing the world alongside Malala Yousafzai. He was also recognized among the 100 most influential people in 2019 alongside Amina Mohammed, ChimamandaNgoziAdichie and Aliko Dangote.
