Wizkid, Njoku, others contend for Future Awards
Ayo ‘Wizkid’ Balogun, Mary Njoku, Amaka Osakwe and Iyin Aboyeji have been nominated for the ‘Young Person of the Year’ category of 2017 The Future Awards Africa, themed Nigeria’s New Tribe.
The award which celebrates and accelerates innovation among Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 31, also acknowledges inspiring young people making a difference through social enterprise, social good and creativity.
Wizkid released one of the biggest albums of the year, ‘Sounds from the other Side’ and recorded ‘One Dance’ with Canadian superstar, Drake. He also signed a major publishing deal with international music giant Sony RCA records and received three Billboard Music awards as well as a Grammy nomination.
Actress and producer, Mary Remmy Njoku is also the CEO of ROK Studios. She launched her production company in 2013 with $25,000. It has grown to producing television series and films on a platform that has successfully launched two cable channels in Europe and Africa.
Amaka Osakwe is the creator of Africa-focused fashion label Maki Oh which has established a reputation as one of the leading designers on the continent, with her outfits worn by international superstars like Beyoncé, Rihanna, Kerry Washington and former United States First Lady, Michelle Obama.
Iyin Aboyeji launched Andela and has committed himself to nation-building through personal innovation. He started Flutterwave, the tech startup which won the Fintech Award at the 2017 Apps Africa digital innovation awards.
Silas Adekunle is the founder and CEO of Reach Robotics, a company developing the world’s first gaming robots. In partnership with the University of West England, Bristol, Silas managed the Prince’s Trust ‘Robotics in schools’ program in Bristol, leading a team of engineering students into schools to develop the interest of young students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) through robotics.