One of Africa’s most
influential entrepreneurs, Tony Elumelu, has announced a 5-year endowment of
The Future Africa Awards prizes.
Recognised by the World
Bank last year as ‘The Nobel Prize for Young Africans’, The Future Awards
Africa, which is in its 8th season, is presented in partnership with the
African Union Commission and Microsoft.
“The future of Africa is
in the hands of brilliant young minds such as these,” said Tony Elumelu,
Chairman of Heirs Holdings and Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation.
“Our endowment, which
looks to the long term, will not only support the sustainability of this
important prize, but also encourage up and coming young African leaders,
leaders who understand that they have a duty to stimulate this continent’s economic
and social development with creative solutions,” he added.
Mr. Elumelu will also
host 10 honourees for the African Young Person of the Year Prize to an
exclusive reception and mentorship session at the Heirs Holdings office, Lagos,
Nigeria on Friday.
The event is scheduled to
coincide with the week of the International Day of the Youth.
The honourees are drawn
from across the continent and include Africa’s youngest billionaire, Uganda’s
Ashish J. Thakkar, and Malawi’s inventor, William Kamkwamba, as well as
Nigeria’s music entrepreneurs, Peter and Paul Okoye (Psquare).
Other nominees for The
Africa Prize are Tanzanian entrepreneur, Patrick Ngowi; Nigerian social
entrepreneur Grace Ihejiamaizu; Cameroon’s rural health worker, Foglabenchi
Lily Haritu; entrepreneur and software developer, Kariuki Gathitu from Kenya;
clean water advocate and social entrepreneur, Saran Kaba Jones; South Africa’syoungest patent holder and serial inventor, Ludwick Marishane; and award
winning student inventor from Burkina Faso, Moctar Dembélé.
“We are excited to
announce this institutional partnership as Heirs Holdings continues to set the
pace for investing in Africa,” said Chude Jideonwo, who is Executive Director
of The Future Project.
Speaking further, Mr.
Jideonwo said “through his varied support for young African leaders, Mr.
Elumelu has shown his particular interest in the next generation of Africa’s
brightest and best, and in working with The Future Awards Africa, undeniably
the leading platform on the continent for leaders, innovators, and
entrepreneurs; he has taken yet another giant step.”
The award – to be
televised exclusively by Africa Magic TV – holds in September 2013.
Press
Release.
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