it was a night of entertainment, fashion, and recognition of exceptional hardwork as the prestigious The Future Awards hosted its annual Nominees Reception for Season 7.

The media and VIP event which was anchored by BBA 2011 Winner Uti Nwachukwu and Venita was a gathering of 168 leaders, innovators, change-makers, and entrepreneurs nominated for this year’s The Future Awards amongst other guests. “We are impressed with the people nominated in all categories this season. Bringing them together in a gathering to honor and show them to the world excites us and we glad the show was excellent,” said Ohimai Atafo who chairs the Central Working Committee of the Awards.

Nominees were presented with certificates of nomination by judges of the awards, led by Pastor Ituah Ighodalo. Adebola Williams, one of the organizers of The Future Awards officially declared during the reception that The Down Syndrome Foundation of Nigeria will be the selected charity for 2012. The Down Syndrome Foundation of Nigeria also made a moving presentation that was shown to the audience.

There were musical performances from a few of Nigeria’s young and hottest artistes such as E.M.E, first lady, Niyola, who performed two of her hit tracks. Also fast-rising, 2008 finalist of MTN Project Fame, Praiz performed his latest track, ‘Rich and Famous’. The last and most exciting performance of the night was delivered by the small-but-mighty, Project Fame Season 3 Winner, Chidinma, who brought the house down with her hit single, ‘Kedike.’

There was a fashion show to launch The Future Awards ‘Get Your Green On!’ fashion campaign with designers Sally Bawa, Violet Kutor, Elder, Moofa and Phunk Afrique. As a means of raising money for The Down Syndrome Foundation of Nigeria, Vickky Elder designed an outfit that was auctioned at the reception.

The Managing Partner of Red Media Group, Chude Jideonwo has been invited as a Speaker at the Akure Aspire Interactive Seminar holding on Friday, August 3, 2012 to speak on the theme/topic: “”Be Your Own Boss: The innovation of a creative mind.”

The programme is an informal/interactive empowerment and motivational seminar. The lecture will address issues on entrepreneur, idea generating skill, proposal packing and presentation/business pitching. There will be question and answer time at the end of the seminar.

Other speakers at the seminar are Jimi Tewe (CEO of Inspiro Consulting, a Career Services & Human Resource Management), Dayo Israel (one of the Africa’s leading authorities on Social Entreprise and Youth Development), Francis Anyaegbu (CEO at Outbox Consulting) and Oludare Akinlaja (Executive Director Potential Development Institute.)

The seminar is organized Aspire Interactive and FUTA (Federal University of Akure).

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The Managing Partner of Red Media Group, Chude Jideonwo has been invited as the Keynote Speaker at the (IRPM) Seminar and Symposium holding on Thursday, July 26, 2012, to speak on the theme: “I’m a Graduate…..What next? The topic of the symposium is: Entrepreneur is my passion, how do I go about it?

The programme is focused on equipping the final year students with the skills needed for the work place and also to empower the aspiring entrepreneur with adequate knowledge required to succeed.

There are three different category of symposium which centers on career building, entrepreneurship and talent discovery. Other discussants on the topic of Entrepreneurship are discussing are Bankole Williams (UK Certified Life Coach and Employee Engagement Expert) and Ayo Animashaun.

This event is organized by Industrial Relations and Personnel Management Students Association (IRPM), UNILAG Chapter.

The Managing Partner of Red Media Group, Chude Jideonwo has been invited as a speaker at the Health Week Symposium holding on Wednesday, July 18, 2012, to speak on the theme: Leadership in Entrepreneurship.

It is a five day programme that runs from July 16 till July 20, 2012 and it consists of various events ranging from; Cultural Awareness, Make Over, Symposium, Community Outrage and Dinner/Award Night.

Other speakers at the symposium are; Ituah Ighodalo (Founder of Ighodalo & Co.), Olateju Olayinka (Talkshow host and Comedian) and Enefiokudo- Obong (CEO Fitness Options.) The Venue is New Great Hall, LUTH, Idi Araba.

This event is organized by University of Lagos Association of Physiotherapy Students (ULAPS).

The Managing Partner of Red Media Group, Chude Jideonwo will be the Keynote Speaker at the IRI Social Media Training Workshop holding Monday, July 16, 2012.

He will be discussing about own use of social media for advocacy, and building coalitions with other advocacy groups online. This flows from his unique experience as a new media owner through YNaija, running a new media agency through Red Media and being executive director of The Future Projector as well as founder of Enough is Enough Nigeria. The event will also feature lecture and workshop sessions.

It is organized by United States Agency International Development (USAID) and International Republican Institute (IRI ).

As always, it’s the most anticipated list this year! The Future Awards, described by the World Bank as “The Nobel Prize for Young Africans”, after unveiling its spectacular Young Person of the Year nominees earlier this week, has now released the full Nominees List for all 21 categories.

Voting begins immediately! The voting numbers are 33120 (All networks) for Nigeria, and 1523 (Expresso & MTN), 1910 (Airtel) for Ghana. You can also vote on www.thefuturenigeria.com. According to the organisers, voting takes only 50% of the second stage of judging, so winners are not selected by voting popularity – there is a 4-stage judging process involving a Board of Judges and an Independent Audit Committee. There is also a one-week period for members of the public to make complaints about any of the nominees to the awards Central Working Committee (CWC). Please send complaints to [email protected].

All the nominees will be celebrated at an invitation-only media and VIP Nominees Reception on Saturday, 4 August 2012 – where they will also be inducted into the elite The Future Alumni Network. The Reception is also a yearly charity fundraiser – and this year, the event will be raising money for the Down Syndrome Association of Nigeria, a pioneering advocacy platform for children with Down’s Syndrome.

“Though there were remarkable difficulties in getting young leaders and entrepreneurs closer to 20 than 30, but we are excited to have yet arrived at an inspiring run-down of young Nigerians,” said Chude Jideonwo, who is executive director of The Future Project. “We gave ourselves the tough task of finding innovators, entrepreneurs and the kinds of young people you don’t always hear about, which is the essence of The Future Awards and we are as always, incredibly proud of the nominees we have.”

Profiles of the nominees will be published on the official website www.thefuturenigeria.com and on www.facebook.com/thefutureawards by July 31, 2012. Let the race begin!

THE FUTURE AWARDS 2012 NOMINEES LIST

*Note that, due to the adjusted The Future Awards calendar (it was moved from its traditional January to August, the period in review is October 2010 – May 2012. Nominees who were still 31 years as at March 2011 (six months into the period in review) are therefore eligible.

CHANGE

Best Use of Advocacy

1. Ferdinand Adimefe (Interface Foundation)                     28
2. Olumide Makanjuola (The Initiative for Equal Rights) 25
3. Orode Jade Uduaghan (Pink Pearl Cancer Foundation) 22
4. Adamma Umeofia            (WeBuilt: Nigeria)                                   20
5. Chizoba Imoka (Unveiling Africa Foundation)                 25
6. Esther Agbarakwe (Nigerian Youth Climate Coalition) 28
7. Priscilla Usiobaifo            (Brave Heart Initiative)                                    28
8. Babafemi Oyediran (Rural Enterprise Development

Project)                                                                                            29

Best Use of New Media

1. Japheth Omojuwa                                                                                    28
2. Gidi Traffic                                                                                      22
3. Ediong Umoh                                                                                 25
4. #OccupyNigeria                                                                            26
5. #SaveOke                                                                                        28
6. Beacons                                                                                           29
7. Nmachi Jidenma                                                                           24
8. Wale Adetula                                                                                 27

CREATIVITY

Creative Artist Of The Year

1. Obi Somto (Photographer)                                                       23
2. Bayo Omoboriowo (Photographer)                                      25
3. Chibundo Onuzo (Writer)                                                        21
4. Bobo Omotayo (Writer)                                                                        29
5. Imole Balogun (Photographer)                                              23
6. Remi Adegbite       (Photographer)                                        30
7. Onyeka Nwelue (Writer)                                                          30
8. Mohammed Abbagana   (Painter)                                          26

Designer of the Year

1. Adebisi Anita (Ms Makor)                                                         23
2. Kola Kudus (Kola Kudus)                                                         30
3. Olorunyomi Omoniyi Makun (Yomi Casuals)                   27
4. Toluwaloju Olowofoyeku (Toju Foyeh)                              23
5. Osakwe Amaka (Maki Oh)                                                        26
6. Rukky Ladoja/Obi Obi/Tola Ayanwale (Grey)                 27/29/27
7. Ugonna Omeruo (House of Nwocha)                                               28
8. Akpos Okudu (Akpos Okudu)                                                 25

EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE

Public

1. Akin Rotimi            (Ekiti State Governor’s Office)                        31
2. Banks Omisore (National Assembly)                                                29
3. Chime Asonye (The Presidency)                                           26
4. Ohimai Amaize (Ministry of Sports)                                     31
5. John Gomiluk Otokwala (Securities and Exchange

Commission)                                                                                28

1. Adaeze Nnamani (Ministry of National Planning)          31
2. The Corper (National Youth Service Corps)                      All ages
3. Hadiza Abdullahi (The Presidency)                                      31

Journalism

1. Chiemelie Ezeobi  (Thisday)                                                    24
2. Tolu Ogunlesi (NEXT/Forbes Africa)                                   29
3. Alkasim Abdulkadir (CNN)                                                      31
4. Toyosi Ogunseye  (The Punch)                                               29
5. Oluyinka Ezekiel Adeparusi (National Mirror)                30
6. Tomi Oladipo (BBC)                                                                    27
7. Barnabas Hunjo (Radio Nigeria)                                            28
8. Elo Nkereuwem (NEXT/Premium Times)                         31

Corporate

1. Adim Isiakpona (Marketing Manager, HP)                                    27
2. Seyi Ogunro (Associate, Banwo & Ighodalo)                     29
3. Aneto Okonkwo (Manager, Google)                                      27
4. Ngozi Nkwoji (Senior Brand Manager, NB Plc)                30
5. Tomiwa Adesida (Head of CSR, Sahara Group)                32
6. Tomijogun Ogunlesi (Campus Brand Manager, Reckitt

Benckiser)                                                                                      28

1. Kayode Jegede       (General Manager/Head of Facility

Management, Deux Project)                                                    30

1. Tokini Peterside (Communication Manager, Moet

Hennessy)                                                                                       24

INNOVATION

Science and Technology

1. Ahmed Mukoshy (Yrn.me)                                                      23
2. Nnoduka Eruchalu (Ploggin.com)                                         22
3. Olumide Adewunmi (Gidilounge)                                         27
4. Zubair Abubakar  (Nigerian Constitution BlackBerry

App)                                                                                                  32

1. Chinwe Njokwu (Novel designs for microwave antennas using

Nanomaterials)                                                                                         27

1. Seun Onigbinde (BudgIT)                                                         26
2. Femi Alade  (Pliris Mobile)                                                       30
3. Raheem Temitope Bello            (geoUtil, a solution for 70%

current household energy consumption)                          19

Education

1. Gossy Ukanwoke  (Beni Online University)                       24
2. Iyinoluwa Aboyeji (Bookneto)                                               21
3. Tosin Jegede (One Child, One Book)                                     31
4. Adebayo Adegbembo (ASA)                                                     29
5. Otto Orondaam (Slum to School Project)                            26
6. Desiree Craig (Efiko)                                                                  23
7. Tolulope Sangosanya (Love on the Streets)                       30
8. Obinna Okwodu (Robotic teaching in secondary

schools)                                                                                           21

ENTERPRENEURSHIP

General

1. Oyigoye Doyle (Nylahs Catering)                                           30
2. Kola Oyeneyin (Venia Business Hub)                                  31
3. Titus and Tobias Igwe (Speadmeals Mobile Kitchen)    24
4. Aisha Maina (Aquarian Consult)                                            31
5. Ayodele Arigbagbu (Dada Books)                                         32
6. Osaru Alile & Lape Caxton-Onakoya (Caxton-Alile)        30
7. Ola Orekunri (Flying Doctors Nigeria)                                 26
8. Ladi Delano            (Bakrie Delano Africa)                                     30

Agriculture

1. Ajo Kunnuho John (Animal husbandry)                            29
2. Omoteso Sogo Ayodele (Piggery/Fishery/Poultry)        27
3. Tochukwu Onyemelukwe (Jaeet Nigeria Limited)          30
4. Olukayode Adeoye (Whails and Chase)                              32
5. Ayodeji Adeyinka Adeoye (Irewolede Farms)                 30
6. Fawolu Taiwo (Abivict Farms)                                               28
7. Olusola Amusan (Olusola Amusan Company)                  22
8. Zechariah Obasola (Crop farming)                                        30

Media/Communication

1. Julie Odia (WOW)                                                                                    31
2. Adaora Mbelu (Innovation Factory)                                     26
3. Uyi Omokaro (DM2)                                                                   30
4. Bobby Taylor (Bobby Taylor Consulting)                          30
5. Komolafe Adesola            (Media Insight)                                        30
6. Samuel Olatunji (Big Sam Media)                                          30
7. Uche Eze (BainStone)                                                                 29
8. Funmilade Alalade (Elev8)                                                      28

Entertainment

1. David Adeleke (HKN)                                                                 20
2. Keke Hammond (Flytime Productions)                              30
3. Tana Adelana (Tana Adelana Productions)                       28
4. Emmanuel Dole Onoja (Delphino Entertainment)         28
5. Don Jazzy (Mo-Hits/Mavin Records)                                               30
6. Cobhams Asuquo (CAMP)                                                        31
7. Mamah Nwanchukwu (Ape Planet)                                     28
8. Clarence Peters (CAPital Dreams Pictures)                       29

Technology

1. Ayodeji Adewunmi/Opeyemi Awoyemi/Olalekan         28/24/28

Olude  (Jobberman)

1. Ajibola Modupe (OTG Playa LLC)                                          29
2. Jason Njoku (Iroko Partners)                                                  31
3. Eno Essien (Rheycrak)                                                              30
4. Bode Pedro (Veda Technology)                                             29
5. Kayode Disu (IISA)                                                                      29
6. Temi Kolawole (Antigravity)                                                   27
7. Femi Alade (Pliris Mobile)                                                        30

ENTERTAINMENT

On Air Personality of the Year (Radio)

1. Oladotun Kayode (Cool FM)                                                    28
2. Twitwi (Wazobia FM)                                                                32
3. Toke Makinwa (Rhythm FM)                                                  26
4. Maltida Duncan (Rhythm FM, Abuja)                                  31
5. Tolu “Toolz” Oniru (Beat FM)                                                 30
6. Nike Adewuyi (Splash FM, Ibadan)                                      27
7. Lorenzo Menakaya (Lion FM, Enugu)                                 26
8. Mazino (Smooth FM)                                                                  30

On Air Personality of the Year (TV)

1. Dolapo Oni  (Studio 53/Mnet)                                                            28
2. Denrele Edun (Channel O)                                                       28
3. Uti Nwanchukwu (Jara/Mnet)                                                            30
4. Ill Rymz (Nigerian Idol)                                                             27
5. Andre Blaze (Nigezie)                                                                29
6. Adams Ibrahim (Soundcity)                                                    24
7. Yvonne “Vixen” Ekwere (Silverbird TV)                             25
8. Maupe Ogun (Channels TV)                                                    29

Musician of the Year   

1. Davido                                                                                              19
2. Wizkid                                                                                              22
3. Tim Godfrey                                                                                   31
4. Ice Prince                                                                                        26
5. Flavour                                                                                            29
6. Naeto C                                                                                             30
7. MI                                                                                                       30
8. Bez                                                                                                     29

Actor of the Year

1. Ini Edo                                                                                              30
2. Tonto Dike                                                                                      26
3. OC Ukeje                                                                                          31
4. Ivie Okujaye                                                                                   26
5. Gideon Okeke                                                                                29
6. Ramman Hassan                                                                          30
7. Kabirah Mojisola Kafidipe                                                        31
8. Lala Akindoju                                                                                25

Producer of the Year Music

1. D’tunes                                                                                             22
2. SamKlef                                                                                            27
3. DJ Klem                                                                                            28
4. Jesse Jagz                                                                                         28
5. Ikon                                                                                                   29
6. Fliptyce                                                                                            30
7. Legendary Beats                                                                           23
8. J Sleek                                                                                               24

Producer of the Year Screen

1. Clarence Peters                                                                             29
2. Victor Sanchez Aghahowa                                                        29
3. Onye Ubanatu                                                                                31
4. Ishaya Bako                                                                                    26
5. Ladi Odebunmi                                                                             21
6. Adeola Oloyede                                                                             32
7. Anietie James Ekins                                                                     27
8. Deji Adeniyi                                                                                   31

YOUNG PERSON OF THE YEAR

1. Bankole Wellington [Banky W] (Musician/Entrepreneur/

Activist)                                                                                                       31

1. Dapo Oyebanjo [D’banj] (Musician/Entertainment

Entrepreneur)                                                                                          32

1. Jason Njoku (Media Entrepreneur)                                                  30
2. Peter and Paul Okoye [Psquare] (Musician/Entertainment

Entrepreneur)                                                                                          31

1. Linda Ikeji (Blogger/Media Entrepreneur)                                   31
2. Chinwe Njoku (Scientist)                                                                      26
3. Idris Akinbanjo (Journalist)                                                                 30
4. Raheem Temitope Bello            (Scientist)                                                   19

*Note that, due to the adjusted The Future Awards calendar (it was moved from its traditional January to August, the period in review is October 2010 – May 2012. Nominees who were still 31 years as at March 2011 (six months into the period in review) are therefore eligible.

The Managing Partner of Red Media Group, Chude Jideonwo has been invited as a speaker for the Creative Enterprise Sessions (Lagos 5.0) holding on June 27, 2012, to speak on the topic: The Future Awards as Case Study: Where Pop Culture and Development Meet.

The Creative Enterprise Session is a monthly interactive networking meet-up in Lagos that features over 500 entrepreneurs and would be entrepreneurs in the creative world. Also speaking at the event are Azu Arinze, Founder Yes Magazine and Ese Oraka, Consultant for Law Allianz.

The event will be between 10am to 1pm at the British Council Conference Room, 20 Thompson Drive, Ikoyi.

The Managing Partner of Red Media Group, Chude Jideonwo has been invited as a speaker at the Pan African Alumni and Forum Cocktail holding July 27, 2012, to discuss on the topic: Youth Synergy. Jideonwo finished with a Master’s Degree in Media and Communication from the prestigious institution.

The event will feature an extensive interactive presentation on his experiences accomplishments and will also involve a mini exhibition of works, question and answer session and cocktail.

The event will hold at the School of Media and Communication in Victoria Island, Lagos. .

Today, we share and consume a lot of information in a digital format of some kind. Bloggers make up one of the most rapidly growing voices and mediums for breaking news, valuable market insights, pop culture and op-eds, and they’re often the first to introduce us to trendsetting styles and unique brands.

Why is blogging so popular? Well, it’s an easy-to-read, genuine perspective, communicated in a style that is unique to the author — generally; it’s colorful, opinionated and unfiltered. Most people now consider blog posts to be the closest thing to a personal recommendation, and since we assume that there is generally no ulterior motive for a blogger to write the piece, readers consider a blog post at face value.

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