...The world is filled with heart-rending stories. Stories that are intense. Stories that are gut wrenching. Stories that bleed the heart. Aisha, a 13-year old Somali girl, is gang-raped and incredulously accused of adultery. She is then stoned to death. Women, children and elderly persons are burnt alive in a church in Kenya. They were seeking sanctuary from politically instigated ethnic violence. In the USA, 17-year old Trayvon is shot dead as he walks home from a convenience store. He was ‘armed’ with a bag of skittles and a can of juice. His killer, only charged after a public outcry, is later acquitted. Over 1500 people are wiped out by a double devastating horror of an earthquake and a tsunami in Indonesia. The country is still reeling from the aftermath of the tragedy.

 

In recent memory, Stephen Fry, an English entertainer and author, unleashed a scathing tirade towards God. Fry avowed this is what he would say to God if confronted at the gates of heaven. ‘…Bone cancer in children? What's that about?  How dare you? How dare you create a world to which there is such misery that is not our fault? It's not right! It's utterly, utterly evil. Why should I respect a capricious, mean-minded, stupid God who creates a world that is so full of injustice and pain?’ This was during a televised interview − Meaning of Life. His views whipped up a frenzy of emotions in a religion-habituated world.

 

Humanity is conditioned to empathize with those who are suffering. It is the default setting. But no amount of feeling bad will ever bring back the tsunami-dead, or Aisha, or Trayvon. Empathy alone, though necessary, will not take away the cancer in children. A tectonic shift, so to speak, only occurs when one resolves to go beyond compassion…to do something about the situation…to choose to act. Hannah chose to act.

 

- Excerpt from Hannah's Story: PILLARS OF AFRICA: They Dared to Dream  - Compiled & Written by Sheida 

Once again, PILLARS OF AFRICA (POA) congregates for the 5^th Awards Ceremony to recognize and celebrate Young Africans who have demonstrated phenomenal achievements within their chosen fields of occupation.

 

It is time to get up, fall into formation, and be counted. Any person can nominate - regardless of age, gender, nationality, etc

 

The following criteria should be observed in nominating your preferred peron:

• Nominations are open to both female and male genders.
• Nominees must be between 18 and 35 years old.
• Nominees can be from any African Nationality
  

 

 

 

 

 

 5th August 2025 12AM EAT: Open nominations

 

17th October 2025 5PM EAT: Close nominations 

 

27th October 2025: Top Nominees reveal

 

6th & 7th November 2025: Top Nominees meet with Panel of Analysts

 

27th November 2025: Thematic POA Youth Awards Ceremony

 

500-Million-Stories beats the drums for the daring dreams of every youth to come alive. It is a frenzied war cry for every individual, regardless of station in life, to show up for Africa's Youth. Because if we collectively meaningfully nurture, support and celebrate our youth, Africa's Prosperity will be restored.