Africa’s youngest billionaire Ashish Thakkar, OC Ukeje, Kenneth Gyang, Saeed Jumah and others win at The Future Awards Africa 2013 in Port Harcourt
The names of the 16 winners of The Future Awards Africa 2013 were formally announced yesterday, at an annual awards ceremony hosted by the Rivers State Government; Dr. Rotimi Amaechi in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Chude Jideonwo, executive director of The Future Project and co-founder of The Future Awards Africa, commented, “I am delighted to announce the winners of this year’s The Future Awards Africa. This year has been the most difficult year to judge to date, with so many compelling and inspiring stories of young Africans, all of whom deserve to be recognised and rewarded. The winners of this year’s Awards will go on to inspire a new generation of leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs across Africa and we’re looking forward to seeing the winners go on to touch thousands of lives across our great continent, leaving behind a legacy that will be recognised for years to come.”
The Future Awards Africa, described by the World Bank as ‘The Nobel Prize for young Africans’, recognise and reward the success and achievements of young people aged between 18 and 31 living in Africa. They have been awarded in 15 separate categories, including: advocacy and activism, business, agriculture, education and fashion.
Guests included the CEO of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Wiebe Boer, magazine publisher Adesuwa Onyenokwe, Rivers commissioner for information, Ibim Semenitari, comedian Julius Agwu, amongst others.
In just eight years, the Awards have produced over 120 winners and 1,200 nominees in Nigeria. This year the awards became pan-African for the first time with 85 young Africans from countries including Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa, Malawi, Burkina Faso, Cameroon and Liberia all nominated to receive awards. The Awards were presented in partnership with Microsoft, the British Council, Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Youth Development, the Tony Elumelu Foundation and Access Bank.
The winners of this year’s Awards are:
THE FUTURE AWARDS PRIZE IN ADVOCACY & ACTIVISM
This award is given to a young person who has demonstrated exceptional vision, passion, and commitment to a social or developmental cause and made a measurable impact on lives.
WINNER: Orode Uduaghan-Okpu (24)
THE FUTURE AWARDS PRIZE IN SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
This award is given to a researcher, scientist, innovator, inventor who has distinguished herself or himself and achieved a measurable breakthrough in the field of science and technology.
WINNER: Hugo Obi (32)
THE FUTURE AWARDS PRIZE IN COMMUNITY ACTION
This award is given to a young person who has remarkably changed the lives of a community or communities.
WINNER: Ife Adebayo (30)
THE FUTURE AWARDS PRIZE IN NEW MEDIA
This award is given to a young person who is reaching new frontiers as an innovator, publisher, business owner, entrepreneur, or professional in new media.
WINNER: Kingsley Ezeani (23)
THE FUTURE AWARDS PRIZE IN ENTERTAINMENT TALENT
This award is given to a young person in the entertainment industry who has recorded remarkable achievement in music, acting, dance, television, and other fields of entertainment.
WINNER: OC Ukeje (32)
THE FUTURE AWARDS PRIZE IN ENTERTAINMENT ENTERPRISE
This award is given in conjunction with the British Council and it is now called ‘The British Council and The Future Awards Africa Prize for The International Young Media Entrepreneur of the Year’. It is awarded to a young person working in the media who stands out among his or her peers, demonstrates entrepreneurial and leadership abilities, potential to change his or her sector, market awareness, and understanding.
WINNER: Uche Pedro
THE FUTURE AWARDS PRIZE IN JOURNALISM
This award is given to a writer, reporter, presenter, producer, and other professionals working in the journalism profession who has demonstrated excellence in the work of telling of stories and bringing the news to the public.
WINNER: Toyosi Ogunseye (29)
THE FUTURE AWARDS PRIZE IN BUSINESS
This award is given to an entrepreneur who has demonstrated extraordinary vision, leadership, and commitment to running a business enterprise, and recorded measurable business success in terms of growth (profit, market share, employees) and/or in terms of his or her reputation (creativity, quality, and aesthetic).
WINNER: Saheed Jumar (28)
THE FUTURE AWARDS PRIZE IN PUBLIC SERVICE
This award is given to a professional or technocrat who has made outstanding contribution in public service.
WINNER: Dr. Adanna Chukwuma (31)
THE FUTURE AWARDS PRIZE IN PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
This award is given to a professional or a technocrat who has made an outstanding contribution in the private sector.
WINNER: Kayode Temenu (29)
THE FUTURE AWARDS PRIZE IN AGRICULTURE
This award is given to an entrepreneur, advocate, or professional who has demonstrated vision, leadership, and commitment and made a measurable impact in the field of agriculture, and agro-related causes and organisations.
WINNER: Precious Peter Nweke (31)
THE FUTURE AWARDS PRIZE IN FASHION & STYLE
This award is given to a young person who has demonstrated measurable achievement in the field of fashion and style. This includes designers, photographers, models, stylists, make-up artistes, entrepreneurs, and business owners.
WINNER: Aisha Bello (24)
THE FUTURE AWARDS PRIZE IN ARTS & CULTURE
This award recognizes extraordinary achievement in the promotion and the preservation of the best of our arts and culture. This includes young creators, innovators, entrepreneurs, designers, artists, film makers, and cartoonists.
WINNER: Kenneth Gyang (27)
THE FUTURE AWARDS PRIZE IN ENTERPRISE SUPPORT
This award is given to a young person(s) who has excelled in running a business or organisation whose service or work enhances supports or provides solutions for SMEs.
WINNER: Ayodeji Adewunmi (29), Opeyemi Awoyemi (25), and Olalekan Olude (29)
THE FUTURE AWARDS PRIZE IN EDUCATION
This award is given to a young person who has recorded measurable impact in advancing education through advocacy, activism, innovation, enterprise, and, institution building.
WINNER: Otto Orondaam (26)
THE YOUNG PERSON OF THE YEAR
This prize is given in partnership with the African Union Commission (AU) and is awarded to a young African whose work sets him or her apart as a role model, setting the pace for other young leaders on the continent.
WINNER: Ashish Thakkar (32)
*Nominees aged 32 were 31 in the period under review (2012/2013)
Profiles of the nominees are available on thefutureafrica.com/awards
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