Few weeks after kickstarting the nomination process, JCI Nigeria has announced 29 extraordinary young professionals shortlisted from amongst over 150, to determine which final 10 individuals that Nigerian voters will choose for the highly coveted JCI TOYP Awards.
Amongst nominees in the ten voting categories are celebrated entertainers and artists such as TY Bello, Kemi Adetiba and Cobhams Asuquo, as well as technology business leaders such as Jason Njoku, Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, Seun Onigbinde, Oluyomi Ojo and Seyi Taylor.
There are also those nominated for outstanding academic performances such as Ufot Ufot Ekong, Ayodele Daniel Dada, Dr. Victor Olalusi, those recognized for their contributions to child rights, world peace, cultural development and humanitarian works such as Bukky Shonibare, Orondaam Otto, Imrana Alhaji-Buba, Laolu Senbanjo, Hauwa Ojiefo and Mayowa Ashake Kuti-Adegbile.
Others have been identified for their works in the field of medicine, agriculture, education, environmental protection, political advocacy and public service. These include Gossy Ukanwoke, Affiong Williams, Ukinebo Dare, Matilda Kerry, Temie Giwa-Tunbosun, Adepeju Mabadeje Jaiyeoba, Charles Immanuel Akhimien, Akomaye Peters-Benson, Bilkiss Adebiyi-Abiola, Esther Agbarakwe, Mohammed Sani-Abdullahi and Mark Okoye II.
Since 1983, Junior Chamber International (JCI), a membership-based non-profit organization of young active citizens aged 18 to 40 in over 100 countries of the world, has formally recognized and celebrated young persons under the age of 40 who have excelled in their chosen fields of endeavour and created positive change in their communities through the annual Ten Outstanding Young Persons (TOYP) Awards.
Past recipients of the JCI Nigeria TOYP awards include personalities as Dr. Ola Orekunrin, Ray Ekpu, Sir Shina Peters, Kanu Nwankwo, Femi Anikulapo-Kuti, Daddy Showkey, Richard Mofe Damijo, Gbenga Sesan, Linda Ikeji, Japheth Omojuwa, and legends such as the late Bimbo Odukoya, MEE Mofe-Damijo and Amaka Igwe who were named before the age of 40, and before they had achieved national prominence.
Nigerians can visit www.toyp.jci.ng between now and end of June 2017 to vote for outstanding young persons of their choice, while conversations continue with #JCINTOYP2017 and via @JCI_Nigeria on social media.