By Saheed Ibrahim

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Oluwadamilola Akintewe, a 24-year-old student from Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria, has been honoured with the prestigious Legacy Award in London.

The Legacy Award, presented by the Prince of Wales, marks the 25th anniversary of The Diana Award, a charity established in memory of Diana, the late Princess of Wales, to celebrate the power of young people to effect positive change in the world.

Chosen as one of just twenty recipients of The Legacy Award from around the globe, Akintewe, a final-year student of the Faculty of Law, was recognized for her outstanding contributions to social action and humanitarian efforts.

Her remarkable achievements include her dedication to advocating women’s rights and advancing gender equality both in Nigeria and internationally.

As an undergraduate, she founded “Forbidden Topics,” a community of young women committed to using storytelling as a tool to combat gender-based violence on college campuses.

Her initiative has since grown to mobilize young people from over 30 countries in solidarity against gender violence and has influenced policy reviews that have safeguarded over 25,000 students from campus-based gender violence.

Additionally, Akintewe established “Project Rebirth,” a social enterprise aimed at providing skills and resources to women in rural marginalized communities and Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in Abuja and Nasarawa, Nigeria.

Dr Tessy Ojo CBE, CEO of The Diana Award, praised Oluwadamilola and her fellow recipients, stating, “As we mark the start of our 25th Anniversary year, these young people couldn’t be a more fitting tribute and legacy to Diana, the late Princess of Wales, and her belief that young people have the power to change the world.”

Responding, Akintewe expressed gratitude and determination to inspire other young people to make a positive impact.

“Receiving the award validates the assertion that I’ve always made which says that young people can, and will change the world,” she said.