Next stop, Port Harcourt! Launched in Abuja yesterday, The Future Awards Africa 2013 to hold in Rivers State this Friday

Africa’s biggest youth leadership platform, The Future Awards Africa (TFAA) kicked off a week of celebration yesterday with a formal launch of events by the Nigerian Federal Government. The launch was led by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo at an event at the State House, Abuja.

In addition to kicking off the week of celebrations, yesterday’s event also celebrated the TFAA Best 100 – some of the best young leaders that have been nominees of the awards since its inception in 2006.

“We are grateful for the support of the Nigerian Federal Government in honouring its achieving young people,” said Adebola Williams, who is Director of Operations for the awards. “These are young people who, over the past decade and more, have blossomed and risen by themselves, in spite of the difficulties of living in this country and the challenges of leadership. The least our nation can do therefore is recognize them and honour them, so they can do even more and sustain this movement.”

Dignitaries at the event included Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, coordinating minister of the economy; Akinwumi Adesina, minister of agriculture; Anyim Pius Anyim, Secretary to the Federal Government; Mike Oghiadome, Chief of Staff to the President; Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, minister of sports and youth development; Tony O. Elumelu, chairman of Heirs Holding; Ibukun Awosika, chairman of Sokoa Chair Centre; Ben Bruce, Silverbird chairman; John Momoh, Channels TV chairman; Adesuwa Onyenokwe, TW publisher; Toni Kan, Kabelo Makwane, Microsoft Director; amongst others.

“This government has seen the importance of the youth, and places serious value on them. Through our transformation agenda, we are creating job opportunities for the youths; my administration is committed to increasing access to education,” said Vice President Namadi Sambo at the event. “As Nigerians, we know there's more to be done, but yet, there's plenty to celebrate.”
Also speaking, Ibukun Awosika, Founder and Chairperson of The Chair Centre Ltd said: “I salute the young people who will make my dream for Nigeria come true. What you can’t be today, you can’t create value for tomorrow, You force the system to respond to your creativity. I am also Very proud of Adebola and Chude, the organizers for how far they have come."

The next stop for The Future Awards Africa after events in Lagos, Addis Ababa and Abuja is Port Harcourt, where this year’s edition of the awards will hold. This will be followed by School Seminars where students will be mentored and coached in practical sessions on career and talent, first in Port Harcourt and then in secondary schools across Nigeria.

"We are glad to welcome The Future Awards Africa to Rivers again and to be a key partner for its week-long celebrations," said Ibim Semenitari,  Commissioner for information. "We look forward to continuing our work building the capacity and showcasing the immense talent of Port Harcourt's youth."

The awards are hosted by the Rivers State Government and held in partnership with Microsoft, the British Council, the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Access Bank and the Tony Elumelu Foundation. Microsoft will also be launching its jobs and employability portal, Aiki.ng at the awards. The Future Awards Africa 2013: Best 100 are

Kola Oshinowo
Abdulkareem Baba Aminu
Bright "Basketmouth" Okpocha
Emem Ema
Emmanuel Etim
Esther Agbarakwe
Maupe Ogun
Mayokun Okelola
MI Abaga
Alexander Yangs
Ali Nuhu
Alkasim Abdulkadir
Chinwe Njoku
Uti Nwachukwu
Uyi Omakaro
Nmachi Jidenma
Nnaemeka Ikeguonu
Noble Igwe
OC Ukeje
Ohimai Amaize
Ola Orekunrin
Olude Lekan/Ayodeji Adewunmi/Opeyemi Awoyemi
Debola Lewis
Denrele Edun
Ebuka Obi-Uchendu
Bukola Adubi
Stephanie Linus
Tara Fela-Durotoye
Teju "Babyface" Oyelakin
Tobias and Titus Igwe
Tochukwu Ikpebu
Tolu Ogunlesi
Tolu "Toolz" Oniru
Tolu Sangosanya
Tomiwa Adesida
Femi Oyediran
Ferdinard Adimefe
Gideon Okeke
Hadiza Abdulahi
Idris Akinbajo
Ify Aniebo
Olumide Makanjuola
Japheth Omojuwa
Karo Agono
Kemi Adetiba
Jerry Ukechukwu Eze
Seun Osewa
Latashe Ngwube
Kenneth Gyang
Otto Orondaam
Perez Tigidam
Seun Onigbinde
Toyosi Ogunseye
Uche Jombo
Uche Nnaji
Wale Adetula
Chika Nwobi
Ndidi Nwuneli
Ojoma Ochai
Linda Ikeji
Banke Meshida-Lawal
Steve "Yaw" Onu
Toyin "TY" Bello
Andre Blaze
Yagazie Chukwumerije
Omawumi Megbele
IK Osakioduwa
Modupe Adefeso-Olateju
Aisha Augie-Kuta
Jason Njoku
Funke Akindele
Funke Bucknor-Obruthe
Genevieve Nnaji
Olamide Adedeji
Lamide Akintobi
Abisola Edun
Onye Ubanatu
Peter and Paul "Psquare" Okoye
Samuel Olatunji
Kemi "Lala" Akindoju
Lisa Folawiyo
Matse Uwatse
Toyosi Akerele
Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde
Vincent Enyeama
Ngozi Nkwoji
Tola Sunmonu
Akin Rotimi
Michael "Don Jazzy" Ajere
Dapo "D'banj" Oyebanjo
Dare Art-Alade
Zubair Abubakar
Bukola "Asa" Elemide
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Uche Pedro
Julie Odia
Funke Awobokun
Tunde Aladese
Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi
Cohbams Asuquo

For more information, visit www.thefutureafrica.com/awards.


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