The Future Awards Africa 2013 holds in Port Harcourt Friday

100 young Nigerians were honoured by the presidency on Sunday.

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

In addition to commencement of the week of celebrations, Sunday’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, Director of Operations for the awards.

He said the those being celebrated are young people who, over the past decade and more, have blossomed and risen by themselves, in spite of the difficulties of living in Nigeria 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,” he said.

Dignitaries at the event included the Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Minister of Agriculture, Akinwumi Adesina; Secretary to the Federal Government; Pius Anyim; the Chief of Staff to the President; Mike Oghiadome; the Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi; chairman of Heirs Holding, Tony Elumelu; chairman of Sokoa Chair Centre, Ibukun Awosika; 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, we have initiated programs like YOUWIN” Mr. Jonathan, represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo, said 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”.

Grand Finale Port Harcourt

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.

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