Encomium
Africa’s biggest youth event, The Future Awards Africa 2014 which held at the Intercontinental Hotels Lagos, yesterday lived up to continent-wide expectation.
The star-studded exclusive evening of inspiration certainly won’t be one that attendees won’t forget in a hurry. A grateful audience was clearly inspired to action by charged speeches from Gov. Rotimi Amaechi, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili and calls to action by Banky W and Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, to name a few.
Memorable highlights of the night included an electrifying set by Asa, performing songs from her new album, ‘Bed of Stone’ in Nigeria for the first time. Of note also was the #STOPEBOLA auction to raise money for the United Nations Ebola Response Fund, the final leg of TFAA #STOPEBOLA campaign. A bespoke dress by Lanre Da Silva Ajayi was the auction item and it was sold for N1M naira, bought by Nigeria’s foremost blogger Linda Ikeji.
High profile guests in attendance at the event were Minister of Youth Development, Boni Haruna representing President Goodluck Jonathan, Governor Rotimi Amaechi, Professor Pat Utomi, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Odein Ajumogobia, CEO Sahara Group, Tonye Cole, Senator Femi Gbajabiamila, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, Lanre Da Silva Ajayi, Daniel Amokachi, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Funke Akindele, Dakore Akande, Timi Dakolo, Toke Makinwa, Toolz, Uti Nwachukwu, Dotun of COOL FM, to name a few.
Performers on the night were: Waje and OC Ukeje, opening the show with the Nigerian national anthem, Paris-based soul super star, Asa and closing out the show was Yemi Alade.
The red carpet hosts were Bolanle Olukanni, Zainab Balogun, Denola Grey and Zina Anumudu. The Future Awards Africa 2014 is headlined by Access Bank and UBA. It is presented in partnership with Etisalat, Microsoft, the Lagos Internal Revenue Service and the Tony Elumelu Foundation.
