Ace Nigerian journalist, media entrepreneur, author and menstrual health advocate, Anikeade Funke Treasure Akintoye, has emerged winner of the prestigious Voice of Dignity Award, presented by the United States-based Heroes of Tomorrow Africa Foundation.
The Voice of Dignity Award honours individuals and leaders who have chosen courage over comfort, service over silence, and purpose over power, in shaping Africa’s future and redefining its role on the global stage.
According to the organisers, the honour is being bestowed upon Funke-Treasure in recognition of her outstanding humanitarian impact and groundbreaking media advocacy, particularly her tireless efforts to combat period poverty and uplift the dignity of young girls and women in Nigeria through access to sanitary products and education.
A letter from the organisers, signed by the Director of Operations, Ms. Amanda Wax, reads: “Your commitment to using your voice and platform for change has not only reshaped narratives, but has also restored hope and health to thousands of undeserved communities. The voice of Dignity Award is given to a visionary who exemplifies compassion, courage and communication in the service of others. Through your bold leadership in media and your unwavering commitment to empowering women, you have become a beacon of transformative change in Africa and beyond.”
The Heroes of Tomorrow Africa Awards, which holds on Saturday, September 20, 2025 at New York Academy of Medicine, New York, United States of America, is a premier international platform honouring exceptional individuals, including heads of state, policymakers, innovators, activists, entrepreneurs, and community leaders – who embody resilience, vision and dedication to uplifting Africa and its global descendants.
Ms. Anikeade Funke-Treasure is in the league of eminent awardees as she will be honoured alongside distinguished personalities including His Excellency, Julius Maada Bio, President of Sierra Leone; His Excellency, Hakainde Hichilema, President of Zambia; His Excellency, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, President of Senegal; Dame Sandra Mason, President of Barbados; Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan; Mayor Ras Barak of Newark; Dr. Adeyinni Ogunkoya; Dr. Simbiat Adighije, and Dr. Toyin Opesanmi (Dr. O).
In her reaction to the honour, Funke Treasure, the multi-talented media personality, said: “I am humbled to be recognised alongside such distinguished leaders and change makers. This award is a reminder that impact does not always come through headlines but also through heartlines – the quiet yet powerful echoes of our work in people’s lives. I am grateful to individuals and organisations that worked with us in the last six years to achieve the impact and depth that shine through our work with the Sanitary Pad Media Campaign project. I share the honour with them all. I also use this opportunity to thank the Nigerian media across all forms and formats for their relentless coverage, support and mentions.”
Also speaking, the Board Chair of Illuminate Nigeria Development Network, the parent company of Sanitary Pad Media Campaign, Prof. Sidi Osho, stated, “This is great news, great progress and result of hard and dedicated work.”
Anikeade Funke Treasure is the Executive Director, Illuminate Nigeria Development Network, Convener of the Sanitary Pad Media Campaign (SPMC) and creator of the groundbreaking video podcast, My Period Stories with Funke Treasure, currently airing on Africa Magic Family.
In 2010, she founded the Media Mentoring Initiative (MMi), which has trained two cohorts from Lagos State University’s Faculty of Communication and Media Studies. She returned to the University in January 2025 with a faculty of seasoned documentary makers to launch the Media Mentoring Initiative Documentary Fellowship for Students (MMi-DFS), a pioneering platform nurturing the next generation of documentary storytellers.
Her work continues to focus on menstrual health advocacy, leadership, and cultural storytelling, building bridges between media, education and social impact.
The Voice of Dignity Award further cements her influence as a voice for dignity, inclusion, and impact in Nigeria, Africa, and globally.