And The Nominees Are...Mr Eazi, Arese Ugwu, Somkele Iyamah Idhalama, Adebayo Oke-Lawal... | The Future Awards Africa Unveils Its Nominees For This Year's Edition
If you're reading this, you were probably told in your early years, that you are the future leader of tomorrow. Well, tomorrow is today.
A few hours ago, The Future Awards Africa, Africa's biggest youth event revealed its nominees, aged 18 - 32, for its awards that reward hard work, talent and achievement.
These are the key players, shaping the future, of today, in technology, arts & culture, business, fashion and every other sphere of our lives.
"It goes without saying that we have had one of the most difficult years in our history. The days are bleak. But the stories of these nominees, and their work helps me remember that through the concrete roses will grow.. We can still bloom. It is not over!," said Bukunyi Olateru-Olagbegi, Chairman, Central Working Committee, The Future Awards Africa.
The last word perhaps.
Here are the nominees... Remember these names!
CATEGORY 1: The Future Awards and EbonyLife Prize for Acting
Adesuwa Etomi, 30
Somkele Iyamah Idhalama, 28
Rahama Sadau, 24
Seun Ajayi, 31
Daniel K Daniel, 30
CATEGORY 2: The Future Awards Africa Prize for Fashion
Adebayo Oke-Lawal, 26
Wanger Ayu, 30
Ogugua Okonkwo, 29
Jane Micheal Ekanem, 30
Sandra Itu, 28
CATEGORY 3: The Future Awards Africa Prize for Beauty
Joycee Awojoodu, 28
Kehinde Smith, 25
Iroghama B. Obuoforibo, 31
Olajide David ‘ST.OLA’ Okerayi, 25
Theodora ‘Doranne’ Anne Mogo, 27
CATEGORY 4: The Future Awards Africa Prize for Music
Yemi Alade, 27
Oluwatosin ‘Mr Eazi’ Ajibade, 25
Folarin ‘Falz’ Falana, 26
Oluwatobiloba “Kiss Danielz” Daniel Anidugbe, 23
Augustine ‘Tekno’ Miles Kelechi, 22
CATEGORY 5: The Future Awards Africa Prize in Professional Service
Ify Afe, 29
Kenneth Okwor, 24
Solomon Ojeagbase, 30
Dr Salihu Dasuki Nakande, 29
Chidiogo Akunyili, 31
CATEGORY 6: The Future Awards Africa Prize in Business
Seun Sangoleye, 30
Yasmin Bello-Osagie/Afua Osei, 27/29
Seyi Abolaji, 32
Ifeanyi Orajaka, 28
Affiong William, 30
CATEGORY 7: The Future Awards Africa Prize in Sports
Seye Ogunlewe, 25
Odion Ighalo, 27
Omolayo Bose, 27
Kehinde Paul, 28
Kelechi Promise Iheanacho, 20
CATEGORY 8: The Future Awards Africa Prize for Education
Olumide Ogunlana and Chukwuwezam Obanor, 26/27
Ezeakor Chineye, 28
Arese Ugwu, 31
Godwin Benson, 27
Izunna Okafor, 22
CATEGORY 9: The Future Awards Africa Prize for Technology
Shola Akinlade, 31
Olaniran Abiola, 27
Oluyomi Ojo, 25
Andrew Airelobhegbei, 23
Dele Bakare, 27
CATEGORY 10: The Futures Awards and EbonyLife Prize for New Media
Tosin Ajibade, 29
Femi Bakare and Adeyeri Michael, 26/27
Ebenezer Wikina, 23
Bizzle Oshikoya, 30
Bashir Ahmed, 25
CATEGORY 11: The Future Awards Africa Prize for Media Enterprise
Bankole Oluwafemi, 29
Adaora Mbelu, 30
Bidemi Zakariyau, 27
Fatima Togbe, 29
Samuel Ajiboye, 25
CATEGORY 12: The Future Awards Africa Prize in Public Service
Asuquo Ekpenyong, 31
Aliyu Giwa, 31
Esther Agbarakwe, 31
Obieze Nwanna Nzewunwa, 31
Ruqayya Nasir, Sani 28
CATEGORY 13: The Future Awards Africa Prize for Arts & Culture
Emmanuel Oyeleke, 29
Ndidi Emiefele, 29
Aderenle Sonariwo, 29
Osa Okunkpolor, 27
Eniola Idera Wunmi, 23
CATEGORY 14: The Future Awards Africa Prize for Creative Professional
Obi “DJ Obi” Ajuonuma, 26
Florence “DJ Cuppy” Ifeoluwa Otedola, 24
Evans Akanno, 27
Isioma Osaje, 25
George Okoro, 30
CATEGORY 15: The Future Awards Africa Prize for Advocacy
Wadi Ben-Hiki, 19
Bukola Bolarinwa, 28
Samson Itodo, 30
Toks Bakare, 31
Imrana Alhaji Buba, 23
CATEGORY 16: The Future Awards Africa Prize in Agriculture
Julius Adewopo, 31
Abamu Joseph, 25
Shola Ladoja, 31
HAMMAN YERIMA Wabi, 24
Ronke Aderinoye, 30
CATEGORY 17: The Futures Awards and EbonyLife Prize for Screen Producer
Chukwuka Egorh/James Omokwe, 28/32
Mary Remmy Njoku, 31
Asurf Oluseyi, 32
Adeola Oshikojo, 30
Usman Ahmad Kabara, 31
CATEGORY 18: The Futures Awards and EbonyLife Prize for Journalism
Fisayo Soyombo, 27
Eromo Egbejule, 26
Ogechi Ekeanyanwu, 31
Yemisi Adegoke, 28
Chika Sandra Oduah, 30
CATEGORY 19: The Future Awards and EbonyLife Prize for On Air Personality (Visual)
Bolanle Olukanni, 27
Stephanie Coker, 27
Ehis Okoguale, 29
Chukwuebuka ‘Chuey chu’ Okoye, 25
Victor Mathias, 29
CATEGORY 20: The Future Awards and EbonyLife Prize for On Air Personality (Audio)
Rolake Bello, 30
Ayo Thomson, 28
Mohammed Yusuf Suleiman, (Mowiz) 29
Oluwakemi ‘Kemi Smallz’ Itari Catherine, 28
Jennifer Nzewunwah, 30
CATEGORY 21: The Future Awards Africa Prize for Young Person of the Year
Mark Okoye, 30
Ayodeji Ibrahim ‘Wizkid’ Balogun, 27
John Boyega, 24
Iyeh Kennedy, 21
Dr. Oluwo Adedunmola, 24
The 11th edition of The Future Awards Africa will hold on Sunday 18th December 2016 in Lagos, Nigeria. Tell us how you are shaping the future and share your contribution as a key player in Nigeria's future and Africa's destiny. Tweet at us with your messages or videos using these hashtags #ShapingTheFuture #KeyPlayerTFAA2016 #TFAA2016
The Future Awards Africa 2016 is powered by RED. Official Media Partners are CNN, Ebony Life TV, Channels TV, Bella Naija, LINDAIKEJI, Africa Magic, Wazobia FM, Cool FM, Nigeria Info and YNaija.
For more information, visit awards.thefutureafrica.com. Follow @TFAAfrica to keep up with the latest news on TFAA. The official hashtags for 2016 is #TFAA2016
Photo credit: Kelechi Amadi-Obi Studios
About The Future Awards Africa
The Future Awards Africa has been called the ‘Nobel Prize for Young Africans’, and the ‘most important youth awards’ by Forbes. It is a set of prizes given annually to celebrate and accelerate innovation, creativity and enterprise amongst young Africans aged 18 – 31. It has produced over 150 winners and over 1550 nominees since its first edition in 2006.
It is presented in conjunction with The Future Project, which has a mandate to build empowered citizens across Africa, through (inclusive) enterprise and (active) citizenship. This focus on Human Capital Development is informed by our value proposition: Africa's growth needs a generation of young people who are gainfully employed and able to demand and secure better leadership.
Our projects include Aiki.ng, an employability portal presented with Microsoft; the Nigeria Symposium for Young & Emerging Leaders, #StartupsAfrica, Intern4Jobs, YMonitor.org presented with National Endowment for Democracy (NED), The Future Enterprise Support Scheme and The Future Awards Africa, described as 'The Nobel Prize for Young Africans'.
Founded by the Chude Jideonwo and Adebola Williams, TFP is supervised by a Global Board of Advisors drawn from Africa, Europe, North America and the Middle East, including the Coordinating Minister of the Nigerian Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Senior Economic Advisor with the Open Society Foundations, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili; co-founder of ONE, Jamie Drummond and the Chief of Cabinet with the Africa Development Bank, Anne Kabagambe.
About Red Media Africa
Red Media Africa ( www.redmediaafrica.com ) is the PR & Empowerment Marketing division under the parent brand, RED.
It focuses on using inspiration, empowerment and action to help brands and organisations connect with their audiences, enhance their bottom-lines and lead in their industries. It has 6 major practice areas: Corporate Practice, Technology Practice, SME Practice, Governance Practice, Faith Practice and the International Practice - with work for brands across Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa. RED owns the continent's largest portfolio of youth media brands.
Its Content Division holds brands across TV, radio, online and events including Y! Magazine,YNaija.com, Rubbin' Minds, #YTech100 and the The RED Summit. It also anchors a development firm, The Future Project, which projects include Africa's leading youth platform, The Future Awards Africa, HowCanIGetInvolved.com and Aiki.ng, which is run in conjunction with Microsoft.