Union Bank partners LEAP Africa for the social innovators programme, awards

Unveils 19 new social innovators in Africa

LEAP Africa hosted over 1,000 people, both physically and virtually; including partners and other dignitaries, from different sectors across over ten countries around the world, at the 10th edition of the Social Innovators Programme and Awards (SIPA) 2022.

The Social Innovators Programme (S.I.P.) supports creative young Africans (ages 18 – 35) from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, Cameroon, Burundi, Uganda, and

Director, Sahara Group Foundation, Pearl Uzokwe (left); Founder, LEAP Africa, Cofounder/Executive Chair, Sahel Consulting Agriculture and Nutrition Ltd, Ndidi Nwuneli; Chief Branding and Marketing Officer, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, Ogochukwu Ekezie-Ekaidem and Founder/CEO, GirlTrek, Vanessa Garrison at the 10th edition of the Social Innovators Programme and Awards (SIPA 2022)

The initiatives cover various aspects of society, such as Agriculture, Youth Empowerment, Education, Science and Technology, Health, Law, and Human Rights, among others.

S.I.P. is a one-year fellowship which provides fellows with skills and tools to aid the growth and sustainability of their social enterprises, such as mentoring, one-on-one coaching, learning and funding.

At the end of the fellowship year, LEAP Africa and partners – Union Bank, Sahara Foundation, and Ford Foundation- honour deserving Fellows with various awards in different categories.

Speaking at the ceremony, Chief Brand and Marketing Officer, Union Bank, Ogochukwu Ekezie-Ekaidem, when delivering the welcome address said: “Union Bank’s partnership with LEAP Africa for the Social Innovators Programme (SIP), started nine years ago and we are tremendously pleased with what we have been able to accomplish in that time.

“Partnerships like this help amplify the bank’s commitment to foster social impact and enable success for the average Nigerian. We take pride in the fact that in the past nine years, we have directly impacted over 150 SIP Fellows in Nigeria and around Africa and we look forward to a sustained engagement with LEAP Africa on SIP as we continue to champion the cause for social impact.”

Delivering the keynote address titled, ‘Scaling an Organisation; Secret to growth in the organisation’, Managing Partner of Sovereign’s Capital, Henry Kaestner, emphasised three key elements to note when starting a business – mission and vision, resources, and the right People.

For social entrepreneurs, he admonished them to focus on doing the work and said, “money only comes in when the mission, passion and fruit of the labour are well communicated”.

Also speaking in the Speed Talk session, Efosa Ojomo, described the major problem most entrepreneurs face, as the inability to approach social issues to a conclusive end consistently.

Speaking on the prosperity paradox, he shared that fixing visible signs of poverty does not create prosperity. He further disclosed the need to employ core mechanisms to ensure social solutions become sustainable.

While delivering her session, Vanessa Garrison, advanced the historical dimension of social innovation. She shared how African women pioneered the most disruptive innovations that have stood the test. She encouraged more women to be their own most significant cause and encouraged them to prioritise their lives.

Sangu Delle, during his speed talk session, emphasised the importance of technology and innovation. He noted that entrepreneurs must be intentional in their interactions with technology in transforming their social enterprise and in their service delivery.

A panel session which was moderated by a LEAP Board member, Micheline Ntiru, featured S.I.P. Alumni Damilola Asaleye, Isaac Damian, Akorfa Dawson and a guest panellist, Saeed Jumah from The Smile Shop Dental Clinic, all shared their unique social entrepreneurship journeys, the challenges and what they have learnt in the process.

At the conference, 19 fellows were honoured and received certificates of completion, while three fellows were recognised in three award categories: The Innocent Chukwuma Award for Youth and Gender Empowerment in South-eastern Nigeria, The Seyi Bickersteth Award for Financial Integrity and Accountability, as well as the Outstanding Fellow Award.

Amanda Obidike, Evelyn Odeh, Idris Ola and Akorfa Dawson won these awards in different categories.