Linda Ochugbua, Digital media and marketing executive, was among 100 young Nigerians honoured by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, with the Royal African Young Leadership Forum (RAYLF) Award, held Monday, May 31, 2021, at the Oduduwa Hall of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
The ceremony brought together dignitaries, traditional rulers, government officials and young achievers from across Nigeria, including the Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare, who joined the Ooni in celebrating a new class of honourees recognised for their contributions across five pillars: governance and leadership, technology and innovation, entrepreneurship and empowerment, creative culture, and academic excellence.
As part of the ceremony, honourees were formally inducted into the Royal Court of the Kingdom of Ife.
The Ooni instituted RAYLF as part of his broader efforts to build, sustain and mentor a new generation of competent and patriotic leaders for Nigeria and Africa, describing the forum as a “contemporary community of young people with finest aspirations of inspiring the future generations of the best and brightest” who are, in his words, “irrefutably anchoring a new economic frontier” and positioning the continent for long-overdue prosperity and competitive advantage.
Addressing the recipients, Oba Ogunwusi charged them to keep adding value to themselves, to make Africa and the black race proud through their achievements, and to remain good role models for other young people coming behind them.
“This recognition is not the end of your journey; it is a call to greater responsibility,” the monarch said. “Africa needs young people who are bold enough to lead with excellence and humble enough to lift others as they rise.”
In his remarks, Minister Dare described the event as a platform where the Ooni of Ife “honours the sterling and finest endeavours of selected 100 young Nigerians,” adding that initiatives like RAYLF reflect the kind of intentional investment in youth leadership that Nigeria needs at every level.
“When our traditional institutions actively invest in identifying and celebrating young talent, it sends a powerful message that leadership is not reserved for a select few, it is earned through vision, consistency and impact,” Dare said.
Speaking on her recognition, Ochugbua said, “To be honoured by His Imperial Majesty and stand among such an incredible group of young Nigerians is deeply humbling. This isn’t just a personal milestone, it’s a reminder of the responsibility we carry to keep building, keep mentoring and keep opening doors for the generation coming after us.”
Other honourees at the 2021 ceremony included Tunde Onakoya, Olamilekan Baruwa (Laycon), Nancy Isime, Rinu Oduala, and Farida Mohammed Kabir, among others, reflecting the breadth of sectors; from technology and entertainment to activism and public service, represented among the young Nigerians recognised by the Kingdom of Ife that day.