On Saturday, February 14, 2004, Jay Jay Okocha, star player of the Nigerian national football team, was named the "Peoples' Choice Player of the Tournament" at the 2004 Nokia African Cup of Nations held in Tunisia. Nearly 250,000 votes were cast by football enthusiasts from across the African continent via SMS. Okocha received over 20 percent of all votes entered from across the continent.
In response to the popularity of the contest, Nokia will donate $1 for every SMS ballot cast, with half of the money going towards a life skills program for youth in Okocha's native Nigeria. The other
USD 125,000 will go to support the "Empowering Africa's Young People" Initiative, a joint effort of an alliance of seven global youth organizations, including the International Youth Foundation (IYF).
USD 125,000 will go to support the "Empowering Africa's Young People" Initiative, a joint effort of an alliance of seven global youth organizations, including the International Youth Foundation (IYF).
"The Nokia's People's Choice award could not have been awarded to a more deserving athlete," said Kimmo Lipponen, Director of Community Involvement of Nokia. "In addition to leading his team to a bronze medal and scoring key goals throughout the tournament, Jay Jay is a competitor and a true sportsman - traits that obviously connect with football fans from across the African continent."
Empowering Africa's young people
The Empowering Africa's Young People initiative seeks to develop the life skills of youth aged 10 to 25, and to help them forge connections with their peers through health education in five Sub-Saharan African countries. Other members of the alliance include the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, World YWCA, World Alliance of YMCAs, World Organization of the Scout Movement, World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, and the International Award Association. The grant process for both programs will be managed by IYF.
"I am honored to accept this donation from Nokia," said Don Mohanlal, Executive Vice President of the IYF, who was presented with the check for USD 250,000. "The IYF is committed to helping young people make a healthy transition to adulthood while increasing their opportunities for making contributions to their country's future. Nokia's support of the Initiative demonstrates the company's investment in Africa's young people."
The Empowering Africa's Young People initiative will be the first regional implementation of Nokia's life skills program in Africa and continues Nokia's commitment to supporting African youth. In South Africa, Nokia - along with the IYF and its on-the-ground partner Youth Development Trust - has been running the Make a Connection life skills program since 2000. Globally, the Make a Connection program, an initiative of Nokia and the IYF, is running in 17 countries.
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