Voting for The Future Awards has been extended!

1:09 AM Edit This 3 Comments »

Voting for The Future Awards has been extended by one week! The major reasons for this extension, the organisers reveal, is because short profiles of the various nominees have just been uploaded on the website www.thefuturenigeria.com.
Also, after the two week complaint period, certain minimal challenges have been made on the Nominees List.

Therefore, people who wanted to vote for nominees in specific categories but were unable to do so because they did not know anything about the nominees or their achievements can now make informed choices and vote to reward achievement in the various categories.

And if you already knew who to vote for, then you have a greater opportunity to make sure that your candidate gets more votes! Remember you can vote as many times as you want!
To vote: sms TFA (space) Name of nominee (space) Category
To vote in Nigeria , sms to 33120
To vote in the UK , sms to 81696
To vote in the US , sms to 97605
The voting ends at 12 midnight on Friday the 7th of January 2010. There will be NO more extensions after this one.
Grab this opportunity…. NOW!!!!!:-)
PS: You can get all the info on www.thefuturenigeria.com

The Future Enterprise Scheme begins internships for young people!

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In 2009, The Future Project/The Future Awards kicked off a new arm called The Future Enterprise Support Scheme (TF-ESS). This was launched after three years in the works.

TF-ESS is a practical series where we will offer selected young people intensive trainings that will cover entrepreneurship and creativity every six months. Included in the period is a two-month internship programme with selected winners and associates of The Future Awards, which the organisers call “the most crucial part of the process.”

The trainings are scheduled to hold weekly for six months, and kicked off October 17 2009. Speakers are drawn from a pool of former winners of the awards, as well as other partners and experts. The programme will be yearly and will have different themes each year. It is held in partnership with the After Graduate Development Centre (AGDC).

Speakers over the past two months have included Bukola Adubi (CEO, Miccom Golf Resorts), Anwuli Ojogwu (Fate Foundation), Phillip Uwumarogie (Head, Corporate E-Solutions Devt), Mosunmola Umoru (The Future Awards Business Owner of the Year 2009), Bamidele Odufuye (The Future Awards Best Use of Technology 2009), amongst others.
The programme is separated into three sections: the first two months are for trainings and classes, then internships take place in December and January. The programme wraps up with the second half of classes in February and March. All trainings are expected to attend at least 75% of the classes, with compulsory internships before they can be graduated and given certificates in April.
The internships kicked off this December on schedule, and the students are presently interning with the programme’s partners, which include Strom 360, Soundcity Blast, Zapphaire Events, Yvent Kouture, Adstrat Communications, Visible Impact, House of Tara International, Clothsense, Blackdove Communications, Icebox Limited and Nigezie.
The Future Enterprise Support Scheme is one of The Future Awards’ many spin-offs. Other platforms are the “Do Something Conference”, which holds on February 6, a day before the next awards, the Post-Award Schools Seminars, The Future Mentorship School, The Future Interventions, The Young Writers Network, amongst others.

For further information, the Faculty Officer can be reached on 080-2222-6712 or you can mail info@thefuturenigeria.com. All other infor on The Future Project/The Future Awards is on www.thefuturenigeria.com.

TFA Nominees Reception....A night of Style and Substance!

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TFA Season 5 Voting Promo

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Collection of Nominee Certificates

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Certain nominees - as expected - were unable to make the Nominees Reception for Charity where we celebrated all 160 Nominees at a media and VIP event in Lagos.

Some also came late, and because the event started early, their names had already been announced.

You can however come and collect your nomination certificates from our offices in Surulere, Lagos, anytime from Monday, 21st of December. To get them please cal Eyitayo on 0802226712.

The office of The Future Project is 14 Shofidiya Street, Off Ilesanmi street, off Adegoke street, by Masha B/Stop, Surulere, Lagos.

Please note though that our offices are closed on the 25th and 26th of December as well as the 1st of January.

Congratulations again!

We are the Generation of TRANSFORMATION

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Hi Guys,

It’s quite a bit of an excited frenzy as we count down to the largest ever volunteer campaign in our nation; the Mushin MakeOver!

Everything’s in high gear!

I’ve been speaking to God, staying in His presence to hear him and I’m fasting and praying; asking that His will for His people will be fulfilled through us.

Together, we have the privilege to make HISTORY by giving our time and paint and energy towards a “noble cause”.

We are the Generation of TRANSFORMATION and we will rebuild the so called “waste places” and we will restore Nigeria to its glory; becoming the world’s most desirable nation to live in by December 31st, 2025.

So, I’m asking you today, to do whatever you can to support us; BUY PAINT, BRING PAINT, DONATE YOUR TIME, get people involved; www.mushinmakeover.com, make a difference.

Already, the surface preparation work has begun by our painters, so I’m asking you to do whatever it is that you can to partner with us on this project.

We need paint, ladders, anything that you feel that you can provide to join this movement.

I’m aware as some have asked if they could contribute financially to the Mushin Makeover.

We have opened a subsidiary account with which you can do so:

Visible Impact (Area Makeover)

Zenith Bank

Account No: 601 430 3053

I’m honoured and humbled by all the text messages, email, comments on FaceBook and the outpouring of love I’ve received.

God bless you all!

But please remember, THIS IS NOT FELA DUROTOYE’S PROJECT!

It’s God’s project; entrusted to US.

I look forward to meeting you this Saturday as together, we rebuild our nation; one brush stroke at a time.

DELIVER THE FUTURE.

FD


SteveHarris

Head, Consulting Group

visibleimpact

...delivering TRANSFORMATION - people.corporates.nations

Direct: 08088988989

You’ve been waiting, you’ve been asking, and now it’s time to VOTE for The Future Awards 2010!!!

1:28 PM Edit This 4 Comments »


Vote for the young Nigerians who you think have been brightest and best in the past one year from music and the movies to business and technology.

To vote,text TFA (space) NAME OF NOMINEE (space) CATEGORY, to any of the numbers below. For example, text TFA OLIKO KENNETH BEST USE OF TECHNOLOGY, to 33120:

To vote in Nigeria, sms to 33120
To vote in the UK , sms to 81696
To vote in the US , sms to 97605
Or you can vote on www.thefuturenigeria.com.

Don’t forget that to vote in Nigeria , you sms to 33120

Remember, the more you vote, the better the chances of your nominee!

The Future Awards Season 5 wraps up tour with London, Johannesburg, Benin and Ile-Ife

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“There is no excuse for bad behaviour,” said Affiong Williams of the Nigerian Youth network in Johannesburg, “Yes, things might have been bad for Nigerians that migrated here, but what is wrong is wrong and we must condemn it and begin to project positive values wherever we go.” Ms. Williams was passionately contributing to the discussion by young Nigerians living, schooling and working in South Africa, who were part of The Future Awards Johannesburg Town Hall meeting on the 28th of November.

The international arm of the awards’ town hall meetings had the aim of interacting with and inspiring young Nigerians living in countries with substantial Nigerian populations. Not only do the events have inspiring conversations and try and get widespread nominations for the awards, the event also seeks to spread the message for this year’s campaign themed “Representing Nigeria”.

The event, held at the Dio Bacco in Norwood and had in attendance, the MD of Lowe Lintas in Nigeria, Big Brother host IK Osakioduwa (who is a two time winner of the awards) and was held in conjunction with SA company Naijaborn.com.

The Future Awards, in conjunction with HITV, which is sponsoring all the town hall meetings, also stormed the United Kingdom. The London Town Hall Meeting held at the University of East London, and was held with support from Oloja.com, Make Impact led by former nominee Dayo Isreal, Godwin Odusanwho of the Nigerian Students Association and Joseph Britus of the International Students Association.

Held on Wednesday, the 18th of November, it was an evening of brilliant discussions, music and comedy, and had in attendance the Ogun State Commissioner for Sports, who is an alumni of the school, amongst others.

The Future Awards team also visited other organisations and events whilst in the UK, especially in London and Manchester, including the 1st Nigeria-Ghana Networking Summit in the UK, where they made presentations, and then they honoured invitations to speak with congregations at the World Evangelism Bible Church, RCCG Victory house; RCCG Freedom of Christ Church, RCCG Freedom House and YADA ministries. They were also hosted by the wife to the Nigerian ambassador to the UK, Mrs. Rose Nwanna.

“It was a fantastic time,” according to Adebola Williams, Operations Director for the awards, who was in the UK. “Usually most of what we hear about young people in the UK is, fairly or unfairly, negative and to get such a fantastic reception, such passion, such engagement and such positivity, was such a blessing. It was also great to encounter such huge name recognition for The Future Awards and The Future Project. Change really is coming!”

The Future Awards also visited Osun State, where it had a town hall meeting at the Obafemi Awolowo University. It held at the Health Sciences Lecture Theatre. Speaking at that event where the Marketing Director for the awards, Emilia Asim-Ita and one of its Resource Group members, Kemi Akindoju. The event also discovered Ile-Ife music talent, one of whom will be joining other talents identified in other town hall meetings to feature on a Nigeria@50 commemorative CD called “I represent Nigeria”.

The town hall meetings for The Future Awards Season 5 officially wrapped up on Sunday, the 29th of November, with the Benin Town Hall meeting, which held in conjunction with the Benin-based Christian Fellowship International. The major speaker was The Future Awards Business Owner of the Year Winner, Mosunmola Umoru.

At the end of the day, The Future Awards visited every single state that it promised – going to ten states of Nigeria (Rivers, Cross River, Edo, Adamawa, Kaduna, Benue, Enugu, Osun, Abuja and Lagos) and three countries, and met and interacted practically and successfully with thousands of young Nigerians.

“We’re grateful to God,” Mr. Williams said. “And immensely grateful to our partners like HiTV who made this possible. We can’t wait to release the Nominees List of the brightest and best young Nigerians in the past year – because that is what it is all about, inspiring and supporting young Nigerians and that makes all this hard work worth it.”

MUSHIN..... Making Unique Stars and Heroes In Nigeria

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MUSHIN MAKE-OVER

PROJECT DOCUMENTATION
This seeks to answer the following core questions:
• What are we doing?

CONCEPT OVERVIEW:
The Area Makeover is a 1-DAY community development face-lift program which will bring about the physical beautification of selected areas of cities by the efforts of up to 5,000 volunteers from within and outside the community.
This specifically involves painting of buildings and roadside curbs along the most noticeable and eye-catching parts of the selected streets in an area over a duration of 8 hours NON-STOP.

ABOUT MUSHIN MAKEOVER:
With the Mushin Makeover project, our mission is to mobilize the donation of painting materials and buckets of paint (in many beautiful and bright colors) as well as raise 5,000 volunteers across Lagos state, all over Nigeria and even beyond, who will dedicate their time and energy towards the goal of beautifying as many streets as possible in the Mushin local government area IN JUST 1-DAY.

The driving objective of this project is to get people to believe that they can make a positive change to their environment, particularly in M.U.S.H.I.N, which, as far as we are concerned, is the place for “Making Unique Stars and Heroes In Nigeria” (MUSHIN) and ultimately raising a Generation that is Empowered, Motivated and Stirred To Operate with Natural Excellence. (GEMSTONE). A generation with the capacity to build Nigeria into the most desirable nation to live in by December 31, 2025.

• How are we going to do it?
IMPLEMENTATION PROCEDURE: (Our Strategic Intent). The methodology for the execution process involves the following:
Our Strategic Intent
In a bid to successfully facilitate this community initiative, we have identified 10 Ms,
1. Manpower: To effectively facilitate a successful event, we have identified the following teams as key manpower on this project:
i. CORE PLANNING AND DESIGN
ii. SECURITY AND TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT
iii. STORAGE AND DISTRIBUTION
iv. MOBILIZATION AND REGISTRATION OF VOLUNTEERS
v. LOGISTICS AND CORDINATION (SOUND, MOVEMENT, PARKING, SET-UPS)
vi. PARTNERSHIP AND SPONSORSHIP DRIVE
vii. COLLECTION AND INVENTORY MANAGEMENT
viii. MEDIA COMMUNICATION AND PUBLICITY
ix. DUE DILIGENCE, AUDIT AND CONTROL
x. TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND ADVISORY

We will seek team membership from the volunteer force. To further mobilize more people, we will also liaise with groups, youth organizations, churches and mosques around and within the environment where the makeover project is taking place.
2. Media: We will seek various media partnership to publicize this project ahead and be available to cover every aspect of it, as well as broadcast it after the event. This will showcase the enormous powers of our volunteer force in changing our society. Proposed stakeholders under media publicity are:
i. Silver bird TV
ii. BBC
iii. CNN
iv. Eko FM
v. New Naija club blog site
vi. RISE network
vii. ACES,
viii. Guardian
ix. This Day
x. Vanguard
xi. Punch
xii. DSTV
xiii. And other voices for change in Lagos

3. Medical: Every medical corper serving within Mushin Local government will be invited to render medical and first aid services. Other Para-medical agencies to be invited for first aid and medical services at the venue of the area makeover include: Red cross, Lagoon & Hygeia, Mediplan services, etc

4. Money: donors will be sought from private to corporate personnel, including organizations to augment the huge costs involved in the project, and most importantly in the provision of the branded event items designed to be given out to all volunteers.
5. Movement: a joint force of LASTMA, Mushin youth organizations and young men living within Mushin, including volunteers will assist to control traffic around Mushin environment. We will seek the cooperation of BRT to provide transport for people from different locations. We will schedule terminals for mass gathering and bus pickups by 7.30 am from anywhere in Lagos to Mushin, while adequate car parking will also be arranged.
6. Management: At every street, we will appoint a street captain who will act as a liaison for the project. The street captains have the responsibilities of determining how many people they require for their teams and also mobilizing youth in their street for this project.
7. Maintenance: we will place huge waste bins at every corner of Mushin to provide for adequate disposal of public wastes around Mushin, long after the program. Through the assistance of LAWMA, every debris gathered in the course of this painting and beautification project will be properly packed for onward disposal.
8. Meal: we will seek partnership with food vendors like Tantalizers, Sweet Sensation, Chicken Republic, Finicky, TFC, Chicken Republic and suppliers of canned drinks like the Nigeria Bottling Company, Seven-Up Bottling Company, DANSA fruit juice, to provide snacks and drinks respectively for every volunteer on the project.
9. Music & Entertainment: there will be musical sounds played by different DJs stationed on every street being painted. As a mark of celebration of this unique event, a Mushin Makeover Mini Change-Summit and CARNIVAL will hold at a central location within Mushin, right after the whole painting exercise. This is proposed to feature notable musicians in Lagos like Tu-Face Idibia, Pasuma, Wande Coal, and other Hip Hop stars. We would also invite some star Movie actors & actresses to grace the occasion.
10. Message: the fundamental message we hope to send to the world with this project is simply: “We Can Make a Difference”; “We are the Government and we can make a change”.
11. Materials: Donation will also be sought from producers of paints like Berger paints, Duluz, DN Meyer plc, etc for the supply of different colours of paints needed.
12. Methodology: this involves our strategy.
a. We will conduct a pre-event area assessment to ascertain areas to be painted as well as liaise with relevant stakeholders at those zones
b. We will secure the endorsement of the local government in question, state governor and the ministry of the environment.
c. We will design a model of the post make over outlook for key media publicity and to enhance public buy in,
d. We will set up a platform (online & offline) where volunteers can sign-up to participate at different levels (painters, traffic control, etc)
e. We will secure partnerships on Publicity and media (Eko FM, Silverbird, LTV, NTA). We will produce banners and also make project customised car stickers and wrist bands for only participating volunteers after the event.
f. We will communicate the various colour options for the makeover project to the concerned house owners or tenants. E.g. yellow, orange, pink, magenta (strictly light energetic colours) with white for all windows and door frames. We will engage different service providers from paints to Waste bins, mobile toilets, Milo, drinks, water, etc.
g. We will engage street captains made up of people living within the locality to further mobilize their youth and act as local liaisons
h. We will communicate to every necessary quarter about the project and seek corporation of every concerned stakeholder to ensure a hitch-free program starting from our pre-event activities up to the post-event phases.
i. We will plan and manage the proceeding for the make-over project
j. We will report project success and set up sustainability follow up plans
• Why are we doing it?
 To mobilize the community volunteers resources in a bid towards building out society.

• When are we going to do it?
 On the 12th of December, 2009, a volunteer force of about 5, 000 people living from within and outside Lagos and even abroad, will converge in Mushin to implement the Mushin Area Makeover.


• Who is going to do it?
Visible Impact, as Project Coordinator, in conjunction with other project teams and stakeholders including:
 Mushin local government
 Ministry of Environment Lagos
 Office of the governor
 Office of the first lady of Lagos
 Religious bodies within Mushin environ (churches and Mosques)
 LASTMA
 LAWMA (with trucks to evacuate all wastes packed up)
 Painters Association in Mushin (who will bring their professional experience to bear in the area of estimation of the number of paints needed, providing guidance and direction to other volunteers on how to go about actual painting and also doing real painting on that day.
 Police - to ensure safety of lives.
 Ambulance services and first Aid organizations
 All NYSC corpers serving under Mushin local government

• Where are we going to be doing it?
Pilot maiden edition of the project has been scheduled to kick off within MUSHIN AREA of Lagos.

The underlisted streets have been selected for the project:
1. AGEGE MOTOR ROAD (From Cappa to Mosalasi)
2. OLATEJU ROAD (From Vono to Ogunmokun Rd)
3. OLANIBI/OJEKUNLE (From Daliko Market to Ladipo Junction)
4. LADIPO ROAD (Agege Motor Rd to Oshodi Apapa Expressway bridge)
5. ISOLO ROAD (From Agege Motor Rd to Daliko Market)
6. PALM AVENUE/FAFOLU (From Isolo Rd to Ageg Motor Road Junction)
7. OGUNMOKUN ROAD (From Ojunrin to Agege Motor Road)

Thank you!