As we continue the nomination process for the CAHR Africa Awards 2024, we are pleased to introduce some of the eminent jurors who will review this year’s entries. Their knowledge, passion, and commitment to human rights and community development are unrivalled, and we are privileged to have them on our panel.
Achaleke Christian Leke (from Cameroon) is a distinguished development, peacebuilding, and countering violent extremism expert from Cameroon with 16 years of experience. He holds an MSc from the University of Birmingham as a Chevening Scholar and is the Executive Director of Local Youth Corner Cameroon, an NGO dedicated to youth participation in peacebuilding. Appointed by the African Union Heads of States as the African Union Youth Ambassador for Peace for Central Africa, Achaleke has received numerous accolades, including the Commonwealth Young Person of the Year and the Luxembourg Peace Prize. His work has earned him recognition as one of the 100 Most Influential Young Africans multiple times and among the 100 Most Influential People of African Descent in 2022. He was also named a UNESCO Real-life Hero and a CNN African Voices Changemaker. His publications and policy advocacy contributed to establishing the National Youth Peace and Security Commission in Cameroon.
Kate Henshaw (from Nigeria), an icon on stage, television, film, and society adeptly wears the hats of an accomplished actress, social advocate, and compassionate philanthropist. She studied Medical Microbiology and admirably transitioned into the entertainment space making her first debut in modelling and acting. Over her three decades in the movie industry, she has received numerous awards, including Best Actress in a Leading Role at the African Movie Academy Awards, Best Supporting Actress at the Nollywood Awards, and Best Actress at the ZAAFAA African Film Academy Awards. She is a UNICEF Champion and ambassador for Project Alert on Violence against Women and Children, a staunch advocate against domestic abuse and violence amongst others. She has worked with Golden Link on the National Cervical Cancer Prevention Programme and the World Health Organization (WHO), demonstrating her dedication to promoting health initiatives. She has also worked with the Nigerian Women Trust Fund to empower communities and promote women’s rights. Kate Henshaw is also a notable figure in politics, having served as Special Adviser Liaison Lagos for Cross Rivers State. She serves as an Ambassador for the Global Initiative for Peace, Love, and Care and collaborates with the Socio–Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) to promote and enforce transparency, accountability, and human rights in Nigeria.
Marr Nyang (from Gambia) is a Good Governance Advocate and founder of Gambia Participates, a Civil Society Organization dedicated to anti-corruption, fiscal transparency, and election integrity in and beyond The Gambia. With expertise in Public Finance Management (PFM), elections, anti-corruption, and public policy advocacy, Marr has led initiatives that significantly advance fiscal transparency, oversight, and public participation in the budget process.
Under Marr’s leadership, Gambia Participates has emerged as a leading civil society group in The Gambia, notably heading the largest domestic election observation missions in recent years. Marr has successfully led and won two strategic litigations on elections and budget accountability, contributing to democratic progress in The Gambia. He has collaborated with global organisations on research related to governance, elections, and anti-corruption, and has delivered speeches at major events such as the December 2022 US Africa Summit in Washington DC and the 11th Global Assembly in Taiwan.
We are confident that the diverse backgrounds of our jurors coupled with their dedication to human rights will ensure a rigorous and fair evaluation process for the CAHR Africa Awards 2024.
Dr. Funmilayo Akinyele (from Nigeria) is a dynamic and accomplished leader with a deep passion for nutrition, mental health, sustainable development, social justice, technology, and nonprofit work. As the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Food Basket Foundation International (FBFI)—a legacy organisation started in 1989 by her late father, Professor I.O. Akinyele, dedicated to creating lasting solutions to malnutrition, poverty, and misery—she has effectively guided the organisation through various growth stages. Dr. Akinyele has excelled in spearheading fundraising efforts, optimising operations, and driving impactful community outreach programs.
Renowned for her strategic vision and exceptional analytical skills, Dr. Akinyele possesses a proven ability to lead complex projects to successful completion by leveraging technology and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Her career reflects a steadfast commitment to sustainable development, research, capacity building, knowledge management, and organisational development in diverse settings.
Adeola Austin Oyinlade (from Nigeria) is a lawyer; human rights and international law expert. He uses his legal expertise and mobile technology as tools of social engineering and problem-solving in Nigeria and the continent of Africa. He is a Senior Partner at Adeola Oyinlade & Co, a leading law firm known for providing competent, innovative, cost-effective and well-timed responsive services from the commercial hub of Lagos.
At the regional level, through advocacy, the Nigerian international law expert has proffered solutions to armed conflict issues in African countries including the South Sudan Political Crisis, the Central African Republic Crisis, the Congo Democratic Republic Armed conflict, and the Libyan peace talks among others with impact.
Mr. Oyinlade unveiled the first ever human rights empowerment app in multiple languages called “Know Your Rights Nigeria’ in 2016 to reach more people and break barriers posed by language and location. On the “Know Your Rights Nigeria” app, there is an option to chat with the lawyer and his team of 50 lawyers on human rights issues daily and they respond to all inquiries and follow up on complaints. Users of the app report abuse of rights anonymously, and even choose to access the content in English or Pidgin (widely spoken in West and Central Africa), and in major local languages like Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba spoken by over 100 million people in Nigeria with thousands of issues responded to on all the organisation’s platforms over the years.
His human rights work has earned him recognitions within and outside Nigeria including the 2018 prestigious International Bar Association (IBA) Human Rights Award in Rome, Italy and the 2021 American Bar Association (ABA) International Human Rights Award in Chicago, United States.