JOURNALIST BEATS BANKY W, D'BANJ, P SQUARE TO FUTURE AWARDS 2012

Journalist with Premium Times, Idris Alooma Akinbajo has been announced as the ultimate winner of the just concluded The Future Awards in Aztec Arcum, Port Harcourt, Nigeria by clinching the ‘Young Person of the Year’ award.

Akinbajo who started out with the defunct NEXT Newspaper and is now Head of the Investigative Desk at Premium Times, beat singers Psquare, Dbanj, Banky W and four others, including blogger, Linda Ikeji, to win the coveted award.

His award was given out by former government minister and World Bank official, Oby Ezekwesili and the Deputy Governor of Rivers State Tele Ikuru. There was a round of applause as 30-year-old Akinbajo’s name was mentioned.

‘I thank the organisers of ‘The Future Awards’ for nominating me as the Young Person of the year. Although I have my reservations about the awards, I commend the people behind it for such a project‘, Akinbajo had a few weeks ago written on his Facebook page.

Akinbajo, a CNN Multichoice ‘Journalist of the Year’ 2012 finalist dedicated his award to one-time presidential candidate Nuhu Ribadu.

The event was anchored by the duo of Gideon Okeke and Waje. Winners of the numerous categories were then revealed starting with Ola Orekunrin of Flying Doctors who won the ‘General Entrepreneur’ award.

Newlywed Jason Njoku might have missed out on the ‘Young Person of the Year’ award but stilled walked away with the ‘Entrepreneur of The Year – Technology’ award.

MAVIN Records boss Don Jazzy picked up the award for ‘Entrepreneur of the Year – Entertainment’ while maverick video director Clarence Peters came out tops in the ‘Producer of the Year – Screen’ category.  Eccentric VJ, Denrele Edun after five years of nomination finally picked up the award for ‘On Air Personality – TV of the Year‘.

A special recognition was given in respect to The Corper (National Youth corpers who tragically lost their lives in last year) and #OccupyNigeria.

Guests were treated to beautiful performances from Timi Dakolo who also premiered his ‘Great nation’ on the night, alternative singer Bez, Project Fame winner Chidinma and Muma Gee. Loopy Music singer soul Ruby gave an outstanding rendition of the National anthem.

The Keynote speech as previously announced was delivered earlier in the evening by Tony Elumelu.

The award is in its seventh edition and has honoured the likes of Chimamanda Adichie, Genevieve Nnaji, Bode Pedro, Vicent Enyeama in past editions.

Check out the full list of winner below…

CHANGE

Best Use of Advocacy
Olumide Makanjuola (The Initiative for Equal Rights)
Adamma Umeofia (WeBuilt: Nigeria)
Chizoba Imoka Unveiling Africa Foundation)
Priscilla Usiobaifo (BraveHeart Initiative)
Babafemi Oyediran (Rural Enterprise Development Project) – Winner

Best Use of New Media
Japheth Omojuwa
@Gidi_Traffic -Winner
EdiongsenyaneUmoh (NigeriaNewsDesk)
#SaveOke
NmachiJidenma

CREATIVITY

Creative Artist of The Year
Obi Somto (Photographer)
Bayo Omoboriowo (Photographer) – Winner
Imole Balogun (Photographer)
Remi Adegbite (Photographer)
Mohammed Abbagana (Painter)

Designer of The Year
Adebisi Anita (MsMakor)
Olorunyomi OmoniyiMakun (Yomi Casuals)
Toluwaloju Olowofoyeku (TojuFoyeh) - Winner
RukkyLadoja/Obi Obi/TolaAyanwale (Grey)
Ugonna Omeruo (House of Nwocha)

EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE

Excellence in Service – Public
Ohimai Amaize (Ministry of Sports)
Akin Rotimi (Ekiti State Government)
Banks Omisore (National Assembly)
John GomilukOtokwala(Securities and Exchange Commission)
Hadiza Abdullahi (MDG Office, The Presidency) - Winner

Excellence in Service – Journalism
Chiemelie Ezeobi (Thisday)
Alkasim Abdulkadir (CNN) - Winner
Toyosi Ogunseye (The Punch)
Oluyinka Ezekiel Adeparusi (National Mirror)
Tomi Oladipo (BBC)

Excellence in Service – Corporate
Adim Isiakpona (HP)
Seyi Ogunro (Banwo&Ighodalo)
Ngozi Nkwoji (Nigerian Breweries Plc) - Winner
Tomiwa Adesida (Sahara Group)
Kayode Jegede (General Manager, Head of Facilities Management, Deux Project)

INNOVATION

Ahmed Mukoshy (Yarnable)
Olumide Adewunmi (Gidilounge)
Zubair Abubakar (Constitution App)
Seun Onigbinde (BudgIT) - Winner
Raheem Temitope Bello (GeoUtill)

INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR (EDUCATION)

Tolulope Sangosanya (LOTS)
Gossy Ukanwoke (Beni Online University)
Iyinoluwa Aboyeji (Bookneto)
Adebayo Adegbembo(ASA)
Otto Orondaam (Slum2School) - Winner

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Entrepreneur of The Year (General)
Kola Oyeneyin (Venia Business Hub)
Titus and Tobias Igwe (Speedmeals Mobile Kitchen)
Aisha Maina (Aquarian Consult)
Ola Orekunrin (Flying Doctors Nigeria) – Winner
Ladi Delano (Bakrie Delano Africa)

Entrepreneur of The Year (Agriculture)
AjoKunnuho John (Animal husbandry)
Omoteso Sogo Ayodele (Piggery/Fishery/Poulty)
Tochukwu Ikpegbu (Jaeet Nigeria) – Winner
Olukayode Adeoye (Whails and Chase)
Fawolu Taiwo (Abivict Farms)

Entrepreneur of The Year (Communication& Media)
Julie Odia (WOW!)
Uyi Omokaro (DM2) – Winner
Komolafe Adeshola (Media Insight)
Samuel Olatunji (Big Sam Media)
Funmilade Alalade (Elev8)

Entrepreneur of The Year (Entertainment)
Davido (HKN)
Keke Hammond (Flytime Productions)
Michael Ajereh (Mo’Hits/MAVIN) -Winner
Cobams Asuquo (CAMP)
Clarence Peters (CAPital)

Entrepreneur of The Year (Technology)
Ayodeji Adewunmi/OpeyemiAwoyemi/OlalekanOlude (Jobberman)
Jason Njoku (Iroko TV) - Winner
Eno Essien (Rheytrack)
Temi Kolawole (Antigravity)
Femi Alade (Pliris Mobile)

ENTERTAINMENT

On-Air Personality
Radio
Oladotun Kayode (Cool FM)
Twitwi (Wazobia FM)
Nike Adewuyi (Splash FM)
Tolu ‘Toolz’ Oniru (Beat FM) – Winner
Mazino (Smooth FM)

TV
Dolapo Oni (Studio 53)
Denrele Edun (Channel O) - Winner
Uti Nwachukwu (Jara)
Illrymz (Nigerian Idol)
Maupe Ogun (Channels TV)

Musician of The Year
Davido
Wizkid - Winner
Ice Prince
Flavour
Bez

Actor of The Year
Ini Edo
Tonto Dike - Winner
Okechukwu ‘OC’ Ukeje
Ivie Okujaye
Gideon Okeke

Producer of The Year

Music
D’Tunes
Samklef
DJ Klem
Legendary Beats
J. Sleek - Winner

Screen
Clarence Peters - Winner
Victor Sanchez Aghahowa
Onye Ubanatu
Ladi Odebunmi
Anietie James Ekins

Young Person of The Year
Bankole Wellington (Banky W)
Dapo Oyebanjo (D’banj)
Jason Njoku
Peter and Paul Okoye (Psquare)
Linda Ikeji
Chinwe Njoku
Idris Akinbanjo - Winner
Raheem Temitope Bello