OC Ukeje wraps up spectacular year with the ultimate prize The Future Awards Prize in Entertainment Talent, beating Ice Prince & Iyanya

By Red Media
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Actor OC Ukeje has wrapped up a spectacular year with his announcement yesterday as winner of The Future Awards Prize in Entertainment Talent. The event held at Aztech Arcum, hosted by the Rivers State Government and was anchored by OAP Toke Makinwa and rapper Vector.


Ukeje beat off the relatively better-known singers Ice Prince, Iyanya and Omawumi to pick the prize. This is the actor's second nomination for the awards – after he lost The Future Awards for 'Actor of the Year' to Tonto Dike last year.


“I'm just an ordinary guy who has been blessed, especially this year – a year that has completely taken me by surprise,” Ukeje said at the event. “It is very rare to win over musicians, so this very rare. I am very proud to finally be a recipient of Africa's biggest prize for young people, The Future Awards Africa. I dedicate this prize to Peace Anyiam-Osigwe for believing in me.”


The win caps up an impressive year for the 32-year-old. He had previously won for Best Actor at the Africa Magic Viewer's Choice Awards for '2 Brides & A Baby'. He was also Best Actor in a Leading Role at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards for 'Alan Poza', and the Nollywood Movies Awards for 'Hoodrush'.


Other winners included Jobberman founders Ayodeji Adewunmi, Opeyemi Awoyemi and Olalekan Olude for the Prize in Enterprise Support, Kenneth Gyang for the Prize in Arts & Culture, Precious Peter Nweke for the Prize in Agriculture, amongst others.


The winner of the ultimate reward, Young Person of the Year – The Africa Prize was announced as Ugandan Ashish Thakar who is recognized as Africa's youngest billionare at 32.


The awards held yesterday wrapped up an extraordinary year for The Future Awards Africa, which went continental for the first time. It also featured The Future Awards Africa 'Best 100', an event hosted by the Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan to commemorate Nigeria at 100. That event was hosted by Rubbin' Minds presenter, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu.

About The Future Awards Africa
In seven years, The Future Awards Africa has produced over 120 winners and 1,200 nominees across the world. Our mission at The Future Awards Africa is to inspire leadership and build enterprise. With its umbrella The Future Project, it has been in the forefront of inspiring a new generation of leaders/leadership and entrepreneurs for Nigeria, working with the Africa Union, the US Government, the British Council, the

Ministry of Youth Development, the Nigerian Presidency amongst other organs. Winners of the awards over the years include: D¹banj, Don Jazzy, Mercy Johnson, Tolu Ogunlesi, Banky W, Seyi Law, Bridget Awosika, Ify Aniebo, Debola Lewis, Matse, Jesse Jagz, M.I, Linda Ikeji, Toolz,Cobhams Asuquo, Onye Obanatu, Lamide Akintobi, Mosumola Umoru, Toyosi Akerele, Funke AkindeleUche Nnaji, Banke Meshida-Lawal, Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche and others.

About Red Media Africa
Red Media Africa is a PR & Communication firm under the parent company, RED. An innovative media company focused on Africa, RED's vision is to excite and empower an evolving generation through the media¹s limitless possibilities. Built across tools and platforms, its Communication Division holds Red Media, Red Marketing and Red Media-SME Support; and its Content Division holds the Y! brands, including Y! TV, Y! TV, Y! Magazine, YNaija.com, Teen Y!, TeenYNaija.com, Y! 2015, YNaija2015.com and the Y! Annual Black Ball/Y! 100Most Influential List. It also anchors a development firm, The Future Project Africa, which presents Africa¹s leading youth platform, The Future Awards Africa, and other projects including the Nigeria Symposium for Young & Emerging Leaders and The Future Enterprise Support Scheme.




CEO OF TEF AND WINNERS OF PRIZE IN ENTREPRISE SUPPORT; AYODEJI ADEWUNMI, OPEYEMI AWOYEMI AND OLALEKAN OLUDE


HOST - EBUKA OBI UCHENDU


HOST OF TFAABEST100 - EBUKA OBI UCHENDU


OC UKEJE - WINNER OF THE FUTURE AWARDS IN ENTERTAINMENT TALENT


OC UKEJE AND KEMI LALA AKINDOJU


VECTOR AND TOKE SHARE A MOMENT ON STAGE