CEO of Mamalette, Anike Lawal Inducted into Facebook Community Leadership Program

Social media giant, Facebook, has announced the names of winners of its Facebook Community Leadership Program (FCLP) made up of community leaders in residence, fellows and youth participants. Amongst the winners announced is Anike Lawal, CEO of Nigerian HealthTech startup, Mamalette.

Anike Lawal, others emerge winners of Facebook's $10m Leadership programme https://t.co/2UjPQp4Rm2

— Daily Times Nigeria (@DailyTimesNGR) September 25, 2018

The program which is designed to give participants from around the world the necessary support, tools, funding of up to $50,000 each to advance further positive social impact. It inducted about 115 individuals from 46 countries worldwide  –representing communities of varying topics and goals from civic engagement to health and wellness, to take a part in the fellowship.

“Community leaders play a critical role in bringing people closer together. Many of these leaders turn to Facebook, WhatsApp and Messenger to create these connections, and often tell us that they could have more impact with additional support, better tools and access to funding. We created the Facebook Community Leadership Program to empower these leaders who are building communities around the world,” said Ime Archibong, Vice President, Product Partnerships, Facebook.

https://twitter.com/AnikeLawal/status/1043883402024423425

Which is why the Anike Lawal of Mamalette, a health-based community with a strong network of “Mamalette Champions” trained in specific areas of healthcare was chosen. The group’s 180,000 members and volunteers help the community with healthcare issues, most especially as regard pregnant and nursing mothers. Aside Anike Lawal, about 10 other African community leaders have been selected to become programme residents and fellows.

They include Felista Wangari, 52-Week Savings Challenge (Kenya); Pamellah Oduor, Let’s Cook Kenyan Meals (Kenya); Asha Mweru, #WomenWorkKE (Kenya); Caroline Kihusa, Still A Mum (Kenya); Truphosah Monah, Women And Realities of Disability Society (Kenya); Mamadou Sy, Docteur Nakamou (Senegal).

Others include – Gabriel Hoosain Khan, LGBTI community, Human Rights (South Africa); Lusanda Magwape, Dream Factory Foundation (South Africa); Nadine Maselle, Salt River High Tutoring (South Africa); and Savio Lule Mark, The Youth Hub Uganda (Uganda).

Since announcing the program in February, Facebook received more than 6,000 applications from all over the world, after which a selection committee reviewed and selected these fellows based on their committed visions for the community.

In addition to the fellows chosen, 5 participants have been selected globally as community Leaders in Residence, each will be awarded up to $1,000,000 to fund their community initiative (the final amount received will be determined based on final budget proposal created and submitted by each resident as part of their program training).