Future Awards 2012 – 'Tear down these walls'

By Hilda Oghuma

Organizers of the annual award ceremony celebrating Nigerians under the age of 30, The Future Awards, have officially launched its seventh season.

On Tuesday, May 29, 2012, at Koral Reef, Ikoyi, the media launch of the awards’ 7th season took place, and was well attended by the media, past winners and judges of the awards.

Past winners: beautician Tara Durotoye, fashion pundit Uche Nnaji, and writer Tolu Ogunlesi all spoke on the impact and influence of the award.

This year’s theme is The Future Awards for Leaders, Entrepreneurs and Innovators -‘Tear down these walls! and according to the executive director of The Future Project, Chude Jideonwo, ‘The Future Awards led the charge, presenting over 1000 Positive Role Models (especially outside of entertainment) to young Nigerians and Africans over the past years, we have succeeded in establishing faith in country amongst blocs of young people, fundamentally altered for good the way young Nigerians are viewed as leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs’.

The event was anchored by designer and editor, fashion designer Ohimai Atafo, who heads the award’s Central Working Committee. ‘The season starts immediately’, he said. ‘We begin the town hall meetings to the six geo-political zones; we will also have special town hall meetings to spotlight innovation in specific fields, there will of course be the Nominees Reception for Charity, all leading to the awards in August – we are excited!’

A total of 21 award categories will be featured in this year’s event, broken into seven broad sections, which include Change, Creativity, Innovation, Entertainment, Entrepreneurship, Music and The Ultimate Prize. The Awards will hold on August 26, 2012. Nominations are now on via www.facebook.com/TheFutureAwards. Nominations end at midnight on June 30, 2012.

FULL LIST OF CATEGORIES
Change
Best Use of Advocacy
Best Use of New Media
Creativity
Creative Artist of the Year
Designer of the Year
Excellence in Service
Excellence in Service – Government
Excellence in Service – Journalism
Excellence in Service – Corporate
Innovation
Innovator of the Year – Science & Technology
Innovator of the Year – Education
Entertainment
Actor of the Year
Musician of the Year – Wizkid
Producer of the Year – Music
Producer of the Year – Screen
On-Air Personality – Radio
On-Air Personality – Television
Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneur of the Year – Entertainment
Entrepreneur of the Year – Fashion
Entrepreneur of the Year – Technology
Entrepreneur of the Year – Media/Communication
Entrepreneur of the Year – General
The Ultimate Prize
Young Person of the Year