Port Harcourt to host 2012 Future Awards

By Ben Ezeamalu

The Central Working Committee for The Future Awards has announced Port Harcourt as the official host city for this year’s event.

The Rivers State capital, selected by UNESCO, weeks ago, as the World Book Capital 2014, will host “the next generation of Nigerian leaders” on August 25th and 26th.

“Exciting things are happening with Port Harcourt, and we are proud that its inspiring governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has decided to support the vision of young leaders from across Nigeria by hosting this year’s event,” said Obiageli Ezekwesili, who sits on the Board of The Future Awards.

Ibim Semenitari, the Rivers State Commissioner for Information, said that it is an “exciting time” for the city which beat England’s Oxford to the title of World Book Capital 2014.

“His Excellency, Governor Rotimi Amaechi, a cheerleader for intellectual development, has always been passionate about engaging, with real values, the next generation of Nigerian leaders, and it gives the government and people of the state great pleasure to host the brightest young leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs in Nigeria,” Ms. Semenitari, erstwhile editor-in-chief at Business Eye, said.

The committee also announced Tony Elumelu, entrepreneur and former Chief Executive Officer of United Bank for Africa, as the keynote speaker for this year’s awards.

This year’s Future Awards – Season 7 – was launched on May 29, and the organisers have gone around the country engaging young Nigerians, which ended with a spectacular reception for the Nominees in Lagos.

The winners in all 21 categories will be unveiled at the awards event.

“The Future Awards is always a spectacular show, but it’s not just a show,” said Chude Jideonwo, Executive Director of The Future Project.

“Next week we will be unveiling the impressive list of performers, but when the guests leave the venue, they will be inspired, and fired up to tear down the walls limiting us from changing our country,” Mr. Jideonwo added.