TheCable’s Anu Adelakun wins US alumni association women achievers award

Four Carrington Fellowship Alumni, including Anu Adelakun, TheCable TV director, have been awarded the inaugural Women Achievers Award by the United States Government Exchange Alumni Association (USGEAA).

Other awardees from Carrington Youth Fellowship Alumni Network (CYFAN) are Raquel Kasham Daniel, Francisca Chiedu, and Rhoda Robinson.

These women are among the 13 women across various exchange programs of the US government in Nigeria, selected for the Women Achievers Award, 2021.

In commemoration of the 2021 International Women’s Day (IWD), the United States Government Exchanges Alumni Association (USGEAA) launched the Women Achievers Award.

The initiative is to celebrate USGEAA Women Achievers that have achieved great feats in their chosen field.

According to USGEAA, the “objective of this lofty programme is to highlight and promote the laudable projects being executed by leading USGEAA female icons”.

Over the years, the US government has supported the personal and career development of numerous Nigerians, including women who are leading high-impact work and career across the country.

USGEAA says this year’s International Women’s Day provides a veritable opportunity to celebrate such distinguished ladies and their gigantic strides in society. 

Jude Ememe, president of the USGEAA, noted that these distinguished women represent the ideals and vision of USGEAA for social transformation.

According to him, their selfless endeavours have indeed bolstered the delivery of essential services and development projects, across the country, particularly in underserved communities.

The 13 awardees were selected from the Carrington Youth Fellowship, Mandela Washington Fellowship, Fulbright Fellowship, International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP), Hubert Humphrey Fellowship, and Study of the US Institutes (Susi).

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Anu Adelakun (pictured above) is a journalist and development-focused high-impact documentary producer. She leads TheCable Newspaper’s video production team as director and head of production.

Some of her works, many of which have been featured on BBC/CNN, have won several awards, and more importantly, have triggered responses from governments and institutions across Nigeria. 

Rhoda Robinson is a founder and executive director of HACEY Health Initiative, a development organization focused on empowering and supporting an underserved population, especially women and young people.

Raquel Daniel is the Founder of Beyond the Classroom Foundation, which works in marginalized communities in Nigeria focusing on education for children and sexual & reproductive health for adolescent girls through Beyond the Classroom Foundation.

Francisca Chiedu-Otu is the director of Charles Development Foundation, and Citizens Connect; a CivicTech organisation that fosters accountability and transparency in public service.

The initiative employs civic innovation tools for citizens’ engagement. 

Others awardees include: Hussaina Aminu Aboki, Andrew-Essien Ndifreke, Onyeador Doris-Jema Akuchinyere, Dange Hasfat Sahabi, Maymunar Kadri, Comfort Agboka, Taofikat Abosede Adesalu, Chioma Kanu Agomo and Yinka Abosede.

Tinuola Aina, the general secretary of the USGEAA, said the 13 female leaders were all nominated by the executives of their various Alumni Associations based on their profiles and impressive social enterprises.

The executives of USGEAA believe that public recognition and commendation of the sacrifices of these women leaders will spur others to also become more actively involved in spear-heading impactful ventures and transformational enterprises.

Olusola Owonikoko, the president of CYFAN, noted that the recognition of a few of the power women of CYFAN is a testament to the huge resources, influence and impact of the programme and its people.

He added that the fast-rising people of CYFAN are having an immense impact on their communities by promoting the ideals of good governance, civil liberties, economic empowerment, inclusive education and accessible healthcare.