Maverick Music producer, Micheal Collins, Ajere, popularly called Don Jazzy, international recording artiste, Bukola Elemide (Asa) and beauty entrepreneur, Tara Fela-Durotoye have been named ambassadors of renowned youth event, The Future Awards Africa. Others include founder of LEAP Africa Ndidi Nwuneli (Nigeria), agriculture entrepreneur Nnaemeka Ikeguonu (Nigeria), activist Sangu Delle (Ghana), power entrepreneur Patrick Ngowi (Tanzania), singer Diamond Platinumz (Tanzania), change-maker Fogblanbenchi Lily Harity (Cameroon), and lawmaker Oramait Alengoil (Uganda).
“These 10 African icons have been selected from across East, West and Southern Africa because they represent the essence of TFAA. They speak to the best that Africa has, but more importantly their lives work have inspired millions to take charge of their destinies and to get involved in rebuilding their communities and their countries.There are no better ambassadors than these to drive our #AfricaNeedsYou message as we celebrate 10 years of the awards and prepare for 10 more years of impact.” Sean Obedih, a member of the awards Central Working Committee based in Ghana noted.
The ambassadors will drive the 10th year anniversary campaign for the awards across TV, radio, online and through targeted events targeted at galvanizing the global TFAA brain trust to solve problems across Africa.
“The question we are driving people to answer is very simple,” says singer Asa. “If Africa is rising and GDPs are growing then why are so many young Africans still desperately leaving Africa?”
Added Alengoil: “There is plenty to celebrate in the incredible work TFAA has done over the past 10 years across 21 countries of Africa, but there is so much work left to be done, and #AfricaNeedsYou to join us and get it done.”
As part of the 10th anniversary #AfricaNeedsYou campaign, TFAA launched a 100-city tour to build 100 hubs across the continent over the next one year. The hubs will partner with local non-governmental organisations to solve problems community by community. It will be launched officially at the awards this year on 6, December 2015.
The Future Awards Africa 2015 is powered by RED and held in partnership with the Ford Foundation, Microsoft, the US Consulate, the Canadian High Commission Nigeria and The Tony Elumelu Foundation.
The Future Awards Africa has been called the ‘Nobel Prize for Young Africans’, and the ‘most important youth awards’ by Forbes. It is a set of prizes given annually to celebrate and accelerate innovation, creativity and enterprise amongst young Africans aged 18 – 31. It has produced over 150 winners and over 1550 nominees since its first edition in 2006.