It was a joyous moment last Sunday, at the prestigious Intercontinental Hotels, Victoria Island, Lagos, as the The Future Awards Africa (TFAA) honoured 11 outstanding young achievers for their excellent work across the continent in different fields.
The glamorous event which was the 10th year anniversary edition lived up to its billing as Africa’s biggest youth event.
First held in 2006, the TFAA is a set of prizes given annually to celebrate and accelerate innovation, creativity and enterprise amongst young Africans aged 18 – 31, and has produced over 150 winners and over 1550 nominees.
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 year’s awards hosted by multitalented singer and producer, Dare Art-Alade and South Africa’s leading OAP, Bonang Matheba, recognised African youths who have distinguished themselves in different areas ranging from science and technology, business, entertainment, politics, to education.
Highlight of the evening was the presentation of awards to deserving winners from all across Africa with Nigeria’s Philip Obaji Jnr. taking home The Future Awards Africa Prize for Young Person of the Year.
Similalrly, Nigerian artiste, Olamide ‘Badoo’ Adedeji beat Yemi Alade, Vanessa Mdee, Anne Kansiime, and South Africa’s Refiloe Maele ‘Cassper Nyovest’ Phoolo to clinch The Future Awards Africa Prize in Entertainment.
The Chief Executive Officer of Poise’ Graduate Finishing Academy, Ukinebo Dare won the Ford Foundation Prize for Youth Employment category.
Dare beat other nominees: Kabiru Seidu-Dankata, Eze Ifedy-Ralph, Olamide Adeleye, Ifeanyi Aniagoh, Olajide Kabir-Tosin and was awarded 5000 as well as media inventory valued at $20,000.
Others winners included : Queen Baboloki (Botswana) – The Future Awards Africa Prize in Advocacy & Activism, Lily Kudzro (Ghana)- The Future Awards Africa Prize in Education, Olufunbi Falayi (Nigeria) – The Future Awards Africa Prize in Enterprise Support, Kelvin Mutize (Zimbabwe) – The Future Awards Africa Prize in Community Action.
Also awarded were Rasheeda Mandeeya Yehuza (Ghana) – The Future Awards Africa Prize in Technology, David Asiamah (Ghana) – The Future Awards Africa Prize in Agriculture, Samuel Malinga (Uganda) – The Tony O. Elumelu Prize in Business, Emmanuel N. B. Flomo (Liberia) – The Future Awards Africa Prize in Public Service.
The event was attended by highprofile personalities including the Kaduna state governor, Nasir el-Rufai, Oby Ezekwesili, Mo Abudu, Tara Fela- Durotoye, and more.