YOUNG ACHIEVERS ROCK AT THE FUTURE AWARDS WINNERS PARTY!

For the third year, the Miccom Golf Hotels and Resorts in Ada, Osun State, hosted The Future Awards Winners Party from the 20^th to the 22^nd of February 2009.

The Winners Party is a novel idea by the exclusive sponsors, Miccom Resorts to celebrate the winners of the awards for an entire weekend – as the weekend getaway at the resort is one of the prizes that the 20 winners of the award are entitled to. However, over the years it has evolved into the authentic event after party – where winners, nominees, partners, sponsors and media let their hair down and celebrate the success of the event, and the awardees.

The group left Lagos on Friday the 20^th of February – where they were immediately welcomed by the CEO of the Resort, Bukola Adubi, with an Arrival Dinner at its multipurpose hall, and a barbecue party immediately after.

Straight from Aerobics classes the next day, guests were feted with breakfast at the golf course, and a trip to some of the tourist sites in the state including the Ada Lake, and the Erin-Ijesha waterfalls. Guests returned to enjoy the delights of the resort – including the golf course, swimming pool, and its wireless internet amongst others, whilst preparing for the party proper which held on the evening of Saturday, the 21^st at the Resort poolside.

The formal dinner, which was hosted by ace female comedian, Lepacious Bose alongside Chude Jideonwo of RedSTRAT (organizers of the awards), saw performances by new R&B sensation, Dipp and from upcoming comedian, MC Shakara. Guests also watched a 10 minutes re-cap of the last edition of the event and then were able to give feedback and discuss the fallouts of the event. The winners were then presented with their other prizes at the dinner. After the dinner, guests danced far into the night.

Guests at the event, which was covered exclusively for television by STV Entertainment, included songstress Ego Ogbaro and her husband, Niyi, marketing guru Seun Soyinka, Kunle Snatcha of the Rooftop MCs, Soundcity’s Denrele Edun, The Intern’s Abosede Alimi, and winners including Mosunmola Umoru (Business Owner of the Year), Funke Adetutu (Journalist of the Year), Uche Nnaji (Style Entrepreneur of the Year), Bamidele Odufuye (Best Use of Technology), Emmanuel Etim (Best Use of Advocacy), Dr. Adedayo Osholowu (Professional of the Year), amongst others.

From the month of March, the most important stage of the project kicks off immediately after this, as the organizers begin the Post-Award seminars, where the award winners are taken round secondary schools and universities across the country to inspire young Nigerians directly – sharing their experiences, success secrets, and answering questions from students and youths about their life and work.

“This is perhaps the most important stage of the process,” the PR Director, Emilia Asim-Ita explains, “The Future Project is an all-encompassing youth experience that continues all year round – everything that engages young people can be found in this project and the various platforms are arranged in a way to sustain the attention of the youth, while we continue to emphasise our message of hope and change and the fact that Nigeria’s future – beyond clichés - is bright. Winners from D’banj, Funke Akindele, Cobhams Asuquo amongst others are already confirmed to join the train - and we are very grateful that beyond the glow of their personal achievement in winning this award, they see clearly and key into our vision to join hands towards lifting our generation. Change can come to Nigeria – and The Future Awards is proud to be at the forefront of this re-generation.”

The Future Awards is Nigeria’s biggest and most respected youth event; with a mission to present to the country and to the world, achieving young Nigerians who are proof of the nation’s bright future. The 4^th edition, which held on Saturday the 17^th and Sunday the 18^th of January 2009, was yet another soar-away success, with the keynote address delivered by Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.