Four Nigerians and three Ghanaians won seven of the 11 awards presented at “The Future Africa Awards 2015’’ which held at the Intercontinental Hotel, Lagos on Sunday night.
Nominees from Botswana, Zimbabwe, Uganda and Liberia also emerged winners in other categories.
The Nigeria winners were Olamide Ayodeji winner of the “Prize in Entertainment’’, Olufunbi Falayi who won the “Prize in Enterprise Support’’ and Ukinebo Dare winner of the “Ford Foundation Prize for Youth Employment’’.
Dare went away with the princely sum of 5,000 dollars as prize money.
Philip Obaji Jnr., emerged with the most prestigious award of the show by winning “The Young Person of the Year’’.
Olamide beat Yemi Alade and South Africa’s Cassper Nyovest to win The Future Awards Africa Prize in Entertainment.
Olamide who recently lost his dad thanked the organizers of the awards and gave a shout out to his fans on his Twitter page: “Future awards! Oshey ….thanks God bless u guys… God bless my supporters.”
The 26 year old artiste released his first single in 2010, and has gone on to release four commercially successful studio albums as well as a collaborative record with fellow indigenous rapper, Phyno. His latest album, Eyan Mayweather was recently released to critical acclaim.
Olamide’s road to fame is one for the history books. Not too long ago, he was a regular kid growing up in Bariga, at the Heart of Lagos Mainland. His talent and doggedness got him the right notices and in 2010, he hit the ground running with his first hit single, Eni duro. He has gone on to release 4 commercially successful studio albums as well as a collaborative record with fellow indigenous rapper Phyno.
Olamide raps in a unique blend of Yoruba and English with lyrics that are at once playful and punchy. He has emerged in the last five decades as one of the most prolific and commercially viable artistes on the continent. With numerous hit singles and albums, Olamide has been able to crossover into mainstream circles.
A businessman and label boss, Olamide’s YBNL label and artiste management outfit manages his career and has introduced fast rising acts such as Lil Kesh, Viktoh, Chinko Ekun and Adekunle Gold.
The Ghanaian winners at the Future Africa Awards are Rasheeda Yehuza who won the top prize in “Technology’’, David Asiamah won the prize in “Agriculture’’, while Lily Kudzro took the prize in “Education’’.
Other winners are Queen Baboloki (Botswana) “Advocacy and Activism’’, Kelvin Mutize (Zimbabwe) “Community Action’’ and Emmanuel N. B. Flomo (Liberia) “Public Service’’.
Samuel Malinga (Uganda) won the “Tony Elumelu Prize in Business’’ along with a N3 million prize money.
NAN reports that the event was the 10th edition of the awards which was founded by two young Nigerians, Chude Jideonwo and Adebola Williams to reward deserving African youths below 35 years.
The winners must have excelled in their different fields which ranged from science and technology, business, entertainment, politics and education.
The event was hosted by multi-talented singer and producer, Dare Art-Alade and South Africa’s leading On Air Personality, Bonang Matheba.
The event was attended by high-profile personalities that included the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, Imo State Deputy Governor, Eze Madumere, Oby Ezekwesili, Mo Abudu, Tara Fela-Durotoye and others too numerous to mention.