The Future Nigeria

Tolu Ogunlesi

Toluwalope Oluwagbemiga Ogunlesi, 27, is a journalist, a poet and a creative writer. He is one of the youngest editors of a mainstream Nigerian newspaper (NEXT) and then won the CNN African Journalist of the Year Awards (Art & Culture).

In the past year, he was invited as Guest Writer, African Literature Week, Oslo, Norway, November 16 – 21, 2009, he was finalist of the Inaugural PEN/Studzinski Literary Award, was 2009 Cadbury Visiting Fellow, Center for West African Studies, University of Birmingham (April – May 2009), and was 2008 Guest Writer, Nordic Africa Institute, Uppsala, Sweden (September – November 2008).

He was Contributing Editor for Glide and Wings Magazines, the inflight magazines of Nigerian Eagle and Arik airlines respectively, and became a monthly columnist for 3 Quarks Daily and MADE Magazine. His writing has been published in Wasafiri, The UK Independent, TELL Magazine, Wordsetc, Publishing Perspectives, New Routes, New Writing from Africa 2009, and he has been invited as a Guest Writer to the 2010 Gothenburg Book Fair, Sweden

 Young Person of the Year

Ify Aniebo

Born in 1983, Ify has broken boundaries as a research scientist outside of the country. She was the youngest person, the only black person and the only Nigerian in the Wellcome-Oxford-WHO unit in Thailand and in the Malaria Department at the Sanger institute in Cambridge. She is presently working hard on finding a vaccine of malaria while she is studying for a a PhD at Oxford University.

In the past year, she has tested plasmodium falciparum strains from Rwanda, Thailand, laos, Cambodia and Bangladesh. She carried out molecular biology techniques such as quantitative PCR and gel electropherisis to check for mutations in certain candidate genes that are important for resistance to antimalarial drugs, and cloned those candidate genes and sequenced them for analysis, finding different types of mutations in certain locations. Due to her success in finding candidate genes responsible for resistance, she is now involved in parasite culture using the high throughput equipments at the Sanger institute in Cambridge.

In the past year, she has conducted Clinical Research in Thailand, done Field work in the Thai-Laos Border, presented at the 21^st World Malaria conference in Mae sot and the Genome conference in Cambridge, collaborated with research unit in Rwanda after working on Plasmodium Falciparum strains from Rwanda, and as charity, distributed of parasite impregnated bed nets to children in the age 2 -8 at a motherless children’s home in Banhkok. Next year she would carry out research and field work in Nigeria (Ilorin), Mozambique, Kenya and Rwanda.

As a PhD student the normal occurrence for students in the UK is to be solely based in the University carrying out research and maybe once or twice be given the opportunity to go for conferences overseas and present their work. However her commitment to the search for a malaria cure has led her to carry out her research at the Oxford University, The Sanger institute in Cambridge, and the Wellcome-Oxford-WHO unit in Bangkok, Thailand. Due to this she gets to liaise with a lot of Doctors and Scientists to a common focused goal which has made her garner so much knowledge this past year. She is at the same time planning to start a Health Magazine to fill the information gap, specifically for Nigerians/Africans. 

Stephanie Okereke

The actress and movie producer, director and scriptwriter is 29 years old. Not content to be a celebrated actress, she premiered a movie, Through the Glass, that she directed and produced in Nigeria and Carlifornia. Within one week in Nigeria, it set a record with more than N10 million at box office.

 In the past year, her greatest achievement would probably be partnering with Linus Idahosa to develop DEL YORK International and to bring one of the most prestigious film academies in the world to Nigeria; the New York Film Academy

She is an AfriPRO Houston Image Award Honoree, an AMAA Awards 2009 nominee, and was also given the Nollywood Outstanding Personality Award as well as the California Legislature Assembly Award of Recognition. Stephanie is also a celebrity ambassador for the Nigerian Red Cross and also campaigned for the UN at the anti-rape campaign in Liberia and the VVF campaign in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria.  

She is certainly an inspiration to young girls who want their lives to count for something more than celebrity.

Qudus Onikeku

The 28 year old Onikeku has been one of Nigeria’s prominent talents abroad in the past year, his dance talent taking him across the world from New York to Sau Paolo.

What is most remarkable is that, beyond his personal achievement, he has against all odds, organized the ewaBamijo festival this year, which was a rare platform for dancers and dancers from across the nation and which was a success. It was organised in partnership with the Creative Arts Department of the University of Lagos, and is on its way to becoming a bi-annual international festival.

In the past year, Qudus took a contemporary dance free of stereotypes to unconventional spaces, contributing development of local initiatives. The collective, which had the support of Prince Claus Fund, in the Netherlands, carried out interventions in public spaces in Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa, Mozambique, Kenya and Cameroon, along with a video artist, a photographer and a sound technician. The performances were improvised and non-official, with little or no advertisement, in a kind of revival of old itinerant theaters.The result was a documentary screened in Lagos, Massachusetts, Kinshasa, Chigago and participated in the 24hours24Artist online festival, in Texas. It was screened for the first time in Brazil at Espaço Matilha, in São Paulo, on June 8.

After the screening, Qudus took part in a debate with the audience, which included members of CNAC (Centre Nacional des Arts du Cirque), of the hip hop community and musicians like Simone Sou, with whom Qudus performed an intervention in the center of São Paulo, on June 13. The partnership with the percussionist, who has already worked with Brazilian musicians Itamar Assumpção, Chico César, Zeca Balero, Zélia Duncan and most recently, Os Mutantes, resulted in two performances. One was in front of Galeria do Rock, near Largo Paissandu, and the other one was at Viaduto do Chá.

Toyosi Akerele

Winner of the Best Use of Advocacy award two years ago, the 28 year old Toyosi runs Rise Networks, which has positioned itself as one of the most prominent youth engagement networks in the country. The highlight is the Dare to Be Different Interactive Youth Centre, which held in Lagos, with over 5000 guests and attracted the likes of the minister for information and the Central Bank governor. She also held it in 5 other states with a choice list of A-list speakers, drawing crowds everywhere she went. She is easily leading an army of thousands of young people with her message of inspiration and motivation.

Presently undertaking a course at the Pan African University, she also runs the Rise Business Academy as well as the Rise Printing Company, which boasts of an impressive clientele base.

Ikponmwosa Osakioduwa

Born May 21 1979, IK, formerly known as Wildchild, has gone farther and reached higher than any other TV personality at the moment.

In the past year, he has continued his job on the morning drive of Rhythm Fm in Lagos and as Head of Programmed with the station. Beyond that he has been presented on Studio 53 and on Comedy Club Live in Lagos.

Then later in 2009, he was selected from across the continent to host the mega-reality show Big Brother Africa: The Revolution, relocating for months to South Africa to host the show. He has also been a major events host, hosing events for the Nigeria LNG, Silverbird Group amongst many others.

Says IK, “I have made a lot of mistakes that I would not want anyone looking up to me to make, so I would not say I am a good role model in that sense.I would rather people looked up tome for inspiration not direction because I think if I could get here then anyone can.”

Cobhams Emanuel Asuquo

The 29 year old Cobhams is a song writer/music producer per excellence  who won the Nigerian Music Awards (NMA) in 2008. He was also Music Producer of the Year 2009 at The Future Awards. He has in the past year continued his winning streak of being one of the most sought after producers. He has also been a prominent live performer at concerts and shows across the country/.

His company CAMP is easily one of the most equipped music production studios that you can find in the country, and it went one step further this year by unveiling new talent that he intends to produce and promote including Lara and Bez, showing a strengths of vision and commitment.

Asa

Bukola Elemide known as “Asa” was born in September 1982 Paris (France). She has continued to be perhaps Nigeria’s biggest music export at the moment, apart from Fela Anikulapo Kuti and his son Femi, performing across the continents of the world. Her first album continues to be a strong force and she has released at least two singles this past year.

On November 16, 2008, she was awarded the 2008 Prix Constantin France’s equivalent of the Mercury and Choice prizes. She has also opened shows for Akon, John Legend, Beyoncé and Snoop Dogg amongst others.

Asa’s music undoubtedly crosses all frontiers, not just geographical, but also those of the heart and soul – many no one thought was possible for a Nigerian singer. She is one of Nigeria’s most sought after and most respected artists, and is certainly an ultimate inspiration for how honing your craft and sticking to what you believe in can give you success beyond your wildest imaginations.

Ugonna Umeruo (House of Nwaocha), 25

House of Nwaocha is a fashion house that provides affordable clothing to everyoneThe company has ben running for 3 years with staff strength of 5. In 2009, the company was contracted for the Ovation Red Carol, Tinapa (Abuja) and Manchester United.

Nnaji Uchechukwu Godswill (Ouch!), 31

Nnaji is into clothing designing and producing ready-to-wear clothing for stylish individuals and has built a stable company from a small NYSC dream. In 2009, he worked with staff of NEXTON Limited, AVENUE3 Media, Lino factory, Istanbul-Turkey, and got 2 agents in Asia and Europe. He also supplied for The Experience Musical Concert, Fidelity Bank, Stanbic IBTC Bank. The company, Ouch! Also grew significantly in 2009 producing 420 suits, blazers, jacket adding a new ‘Ouchlet’ at the Ikota Shopping Complex, Ajah and at the new Adeniran Ogunsanya Mall – scheduled to be commissioned. He won this award last year.

Ogunde Olufunke (Phunk Afrique), 24

She works for affordable clothing for a wide range of women from ready to wear to a bespoke line where the customers get customised clothes. She has opened the Phunkafrique’s flag ship store located in the heart of Victoria Island  and has been featured in Thisday Style magazine, Mnet’s Studio 53, and was nominated for the City People award for Hottest New Designer for 2009.

Olateju Adetola Olawunmi (Xquizit), 23

He is Fashion designer of XQUIZIT Clothing, a bespoke tailoring clothing outfit based in Nigeria and experts at crafting finely designed made-to-measure/tailored-to-fit and bespoke suits, jackets and suit accessories for the simple, exceptional and sophisticated gentleman. He has 11 employees with tailors that are trained abroad and recently opened a branch/client interface office in Abuja.

Osindero Ademuiyiwa (Clothsense), 28

Osindero is CEO of a clothing company that makes shirts, suits, wedding packages, jeans, cravats, shoes, etc with 5 main staff and 4 on contract. He recently opened a factory that houses the tailors with machines worth almost half a million. He was selected for the City People Upcoming Designer award and was featured on the cover of Thisday Style.

Vincent  Olatunde Alade (Tobi Vincent(, 22

The medical graduate has run this outfit for 2 years with clients like D’banj, Wande Coal, Mikel Obi, Kanu Nwankwo, Keke & D1 and Adaure Achumba. With just one paid tailor, Alade has clothed the group that represented Nigeria in the Maltina Street Dance Challenge, amongst others.

Linda Ifeoma Ikeji, 29

Finalist for this award last year, the ex model runs a modeling agency and is publisher of a fashion, modeling and beauty magazine with 7 staff on her team working with advertising agencies for the modeling agency. In 2009 got a five room office space in June. She has provided models for Zain, Etisalat, amongst others, and her Style Night 4 event, which attracted impressive corporate sponsorship, was easily one of the biggest event for models in the country. 

Biobelemoye Harriet Omoniyegha, 27

CEO of Labelle’s Touch, a creative makeover boutique with a specialisation in makeup art especially for the Film and TV industries, she has gone from makeup for students to a company with a wide range of makeover services including niches like special effects for TV and makeup home training. In the past one year, the company has rented an office space and increased its client base with mega companies like Mnet, Cinder Company (Style Me TV show, ZAIN ultra low cost hand set mini movie), Rapid Blue Format (Don’t 4get d lyrics), Are U Smarter than a 10yr old, Tinsel, Capital Dreams (Clarence Peters on various music videos), Consolidated Breweries, Yellow Dog Ltd, These Genes, Aja Dudu Le Petite (Gidi Culture TV series), Cuemedia (MTN n U TV show), and Knighthouse Creative (all videos and media appearances) with only 4 paid staff .

Chukwuka T. Ejorh, 22

A film and video editor working in production since 2006, he finished editing Big Brother Africa 3 in November 2008, in December 2008; edited Pantomine, an M-Net SA annual stage production and edited inserts for Face of Africa 2008.  He edited Comedy Club – Live in Lagos in January 2009 and Wildtouch, a wildlife documentary show both in SA. He also edited Stand Up Uganda, and co-edited Idols SA and Stand Up Uganda, Idols SA and I wanna be (M-Net SA’s big-budget HD reality production).  He also edited Naija Sings and is now co-editing Face of Africa 2009.

Yinka Obebe, 29

Director/Post Production supervisor/Content producer, working in production since 2004, in 2009 he continued working with Virtual Media Network (owners and producers of Nigezie) developing programme content. He is responsible for all content that appears on the station Nigezie, which shows on a number of TV stations across the country and on HiTV. He also worked with Television Entertainment Network (TEN), and on Round Off ’09 for Virtual Media.

Gbenga Salu, 28

Director/Editor working in production since 2007, Salu spent 2009 working with Touchstone Brand and communication, Daystar Christian Centre, LC (Music artist), Mo Hits Allstars, Manie X, Lara George, Kenny St Brown, Lekki Free Trade Zone, Intercontinental Bank Plc and Felabration. He is also the Creative Director/CEO of Renders and Illusion and won the Soundcity Music Video Awards for Best special effect/editing as well as the Nigeria Music Video Awards for 2009 Most promising director.

Kenneth Gyang, 23

This writer/producer/director started working in production in 2006 as a T.V. writer for Common Grounds Production – an International NGO. In 2009 Gyang worked on a film industry documentary with COMMUNICATING FOR CHANGE (CFC), and with CONSOLIDATED MEDIA ASSOCIATES (TELEVISTA), LAGOS on the project- “FINDING AISHA,” a T.V. series set in the North and headlining for Sunday primetime TV on the AIT.  Other jobs include a film – “PROMISE” for John Hopkins University, U.S.A. He has worked with the BBC World Service Trust.

Adetola Odunsi, 30

Odunsi has worked as a director of talents and productions since 2004 when he joined storm 360. Widely known under the moniker Bobby Boulders, he has directed productions such as Naija Sings and music videos for r GT (hustle), Pype (champion), Naeto C (ringtone, ako mi ti poju), Sasha (put it down, making money), Alaye (eyes don’t lie), Timi Dakolo (I love you), Ara (dun mi nu), Maino (baby don’t cry), and Keri Hilson featuring Naeto C. He is currently working on a storm360 music project with Keri Hilson and Timi Dakolo.

 Clarence Peters, 27

The producer and CEO of Capital Music has been working in the industry for over a decade – as editor, director and concept creator. In 2009, he worked successfully with MI, 9ice, Tha Suspect, Kel, P-Square, Malta Guiness, Unity Bank, Solid Star, Lord of Ajasa, Omawumi, Terry G, Rooftop MC’s, Rotimi Oshodi, Jeniffer, Vio Belle, Biodun Adefala, Ikenna Okogun, Ayodele Banjo e.t.c.

Oluwakemi Modupela Adetiba, 29

A Media Personality/Director & Producer who has worked in the media for a decade, in 2009, worked on the Polo Ralph Lauren time-piece campaign advert production assistant as well as the music video for the theme song of the Hip Hop World Awards music video “How Much Do You Want It”. She also worked on a documentary for the Nigerian Society of Engineers “NSE: Past, Present and the Future”, the show production for television of the R.Kelly Nigerian tour (Lagos & Abuja), the Lil’ bugz music video (NYC) as assistant director, music videos for Omawunmi and Banky W and is currently working on her feature film “Across A Bloodied Rainbow”. Her music video Ekundayo won for Best Female Video at the 2009 Soundcity Music Awards.

Imoh Umoren, 27

This TV producer started working in production in 2005 and, in 2009, worked for Pandemonium Projects and STB Maccan. He has been assistant producer, contestant producer and director on Don’t Forget the Lyrics Project Fame (Ultima Ltd) for over 70 episodes of the show. He is currently developing a new TV show for the Discovery Channel called Africa Myths and Legends. His film, Lemon Green, has been shortlisted in a festival in South Africa.

Fopefoluwa Adelowo

An investment banking associate at Goldman Sachs International where she works on the Emerging Markets Sales team, with a focus on Sub-Saharan Africa, she has been with the EM team at Goldman Sachs for the last 3 years where she started out covering Eastern European Financial Institutions before moving to focus on Financial Institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa. Prior to joining Goldman Sachs, Fope obtained a MEng in Chemical Engineering from Imperial College, London where she served as the Chairman of the Chemical Engineering Society after serving as the Vice Chairman prior to that. She is a sponsor for Educational Opportunities Scholar, which helps under-priviledged kids by connecting them with mentors (sponsors).

Adedayo Osholowu, 27

An International Olympic Committee (IOC)-certified Sports Physician, in 2009 he became a member FIFA Football Medicine Network and was the National Team Physician to Nigerian National Hockey Team (2009 African Hockey Nations Cup). He has been a health columnist with Business Day’s Health Business and Living Section, as well as NEXT newspapers. He was Lead Researcher, Special Olympics Nigeria/Dept. of Public Health Uni. of
Lagos Medical Students Research Program and Reviewer in the British Medical Journal he has been invited to 2010 FIFA Football Medicine Conference, and won this award next year.

Ifeanyi Chukwudi Ajuluchukwu, 29

He is the Relationship Manager and head of the Aviation Unit and Asian Corporates Group of Access Bank Plc. For 7 and half years, Ajuluchukwu has managed the bank’s relationships with clients in the Aviation Industry and with customers of Asian Origin. In 2009, he performed various functions some of which included analysing financial statements of large and mid-size companies in the Aviation Industry and Asia Corporate writing detailed credit appraisals, analysing the risks of lending to each customer, and structuring various forms of credit facilities ranging from Finance leases, Import Finance, to revolving credit facilities for financing Working Capital requirements.   In the past year, he has also been part of an Aviation Finance (Euromoney Training – UK).

Ifunanya Obianuju Maduka, 27

Funa Maduka is the Dean of Students of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls for 3 years. She created a management structure of the division as inaugural Dean of Students at the academy. He has also served as special projects manager to Oprah Winfrey, and has been recognised as a Future Leader by the Nigeria Leadership Initiative, section of the Aspen Global Leadership Network, 2009. She is a former Wall Street financial analyst on the Goldman Sachs trading floor with the firm’s International Sales Desk has worked with Former President Clinton’s HIV/AIDS Initiative in the Caribbean.

Oladipo Fabian Okuribido, 25

He has been working for 2 years as a legal practitioner. In 2009, working with Banwo & Ighodalo (B&I), he worked on legal research, preparation of legal opinions, preparation and review of legal and commercial agreements, conducting due diligence investigations, statutory reviews, legislative drafting, and preparation of reports. He actively co-led several key assignments in the firm and has also made key presentations and was part-time researcher for the Justice Research Institute and the Coalition for Change. He was B&I Best Lawyer – December 2008 and was B&I Next Gani Fawehinmi (Most Radical) – October 2009.

Aneto Okonkwo, 24

In 2009, Okonkwo has led client teams for sales, operations and IT architecture in retail banking, airline, pharmaceutical and education sectors and successfully designed a data system for the California Dept of Education in coordination with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Hewlett Foundation. He also designed a new sales force for a retail bank in Nigeria and saved a failing airline hundreds of thousands of dollars in equipment negotiations. Most remarkably, he was selected from hundreds of applicants to serve on the Obama Presidential Transition Team for Technology Innovation and Government Reform (TIGR).  His role on the team was to write implementation plans for the technology policies of the new administration and conduct research for the incoming US Chief Technology Officer and Chief Information Officer, who he worked closely with to draft their final Presidential Briefing Memos and wrote technology proposals on a variety of topics ranging from medical claims processing to immigration reform. Several of his proposals have launched including Data.gov, an initiative to make government data more accessible and transparent to the public, ensuring that his work has impacted policy at the highest levels. He is currently CEO of City Network Yellow Pages Project. a small business based out of Enugu that has provided directory and advertising services to businesses in the Eastern region since 2003.  The company has over 5,000 business listings and relationships with hundreds of advertisers.  As part of the company, he am leading a new joint venture with MTN (the largest mobile carrier in Africa) to offer Mobile Directory Assistance services nationwide with a pilot project kicking off in Q1 2010.

Ismoila Alli- Balogun, 25

Ismoila is an Investment Banking Mergers and Acquisitions analyst at Renaissance Capital’s first Africa office in Lagos, Nigeria.
Ismoila studied at York College in New York for two years, and then transferred to Baruch College, where he graduated in 2008 with a degree in Economics and African American Studies. At Baruch, he was: Founding President and Chief Executive Officer of the first Africa-focused business club, the Zicklin Africa Business Club; Vice President of the Investment Banking Club; and Senior Staff Writer for the Baruch College Newspaper, The Ticker.

Simidele Olatokunbo Dosekun, 27

As chief operating officer of Kachifo Limited, owners of Farafina Books, for about 2 years, she has managed all aspects of the daily operations of the company and staff of up to 20 – in Accounts, Credit and Stock Control, HR and Adminstrative, Sales, Marketing, IT, Graphics and Editorial departments. As Managing Editor, Dosekun has also managed production of company books and other printed material from text to print stage, including assessing manuscripts, editing, proofreading, and vetting design and layout. She wrote, designed and published the children’s book, ‘Beem Explores Africa’ and was member of ‘Future Leaders’ Class, Nigerian Leadership Initiative, October 2008.

Jesse Garba Abaga, 25

An artiste and head producer of Righteous Era productions (Loopy Records/Chocolate City) which began in 2000. He won “Producer of the Year” – Hip Hop World Awards, produced a track for Mode 9 which got an award for “Lyricist on the roll” – Hip Hop World Awards, and was nominated for this award last year. He was also Best Producer – Hennessy Artistry. He has done work for Djah Djah, spoken word poet on Def Jam and is presently working with “Proverb”– a South African artiste. He has worked with M.I, Iceprince, Banky W, El dee, Kel, Whiz kid, Timi Dakolo, Eric, Waje, Kennis St Brown, Dekunle Fuji, 2 Shotz, Sauce Kid, Silver Saddih.

Kponu, Ifieya Clement a.k.a DJ klem, 25.

The resident producer at Knighthouse creative and sound design consultant/supplier for SO&U Saatchi and Saatchi, in 2009 he worked as part of the Knighthouse production team and produced songs for Mo’Cheddah, Chase (featuring M.I.), Mode 9, Sasha P, Pype, Emphirical, Efa, Wizkid, Willy Bang, Dipp, Eva, T-wizzle, Ice Prince, Chuddy K and Ibiyemi. He worked on the Sprite triple slam campaign for 2009 and 2010, the Sprite freedom
from thirst radio campaign and has been selected as one of the 60 participants (and the first Nigerian participant) for the red bull music academy holding in London 2010.

Ayorinde Ilori Faboro, 24

Known as Dr. Frabz, he has in the past year worked on Omawumi’s Album, Banky W’s ‘Lagos Party’, Weird MC, Chudddy K’s ‘Slow Slow’, Naeto C ‘Akomitipoju’, YQ and Da Grin ‘Efimilie’, 9ices album, and for Wande Coal (co-production). He was nominated for the Sound City Music Video Awards (SMVA).

Martins Oke Justice, 28

Known as J Martins, the performing artiste and producer, in 2009, worked with PSquare, Backet, Banky W, 2face, Waje, Timaya and 9ice. He is currently working with Ignite (Port Harcourt based artiste), on Timaya’s new album, for Bracket, for his new album and the video of EVA. He was Mode Men Artiste of the year, City People Artiste of the year and has won the Nigerian Entertainment Award, Catholic Church Youth Peace Awards, Friend of Children Awards.

Osonwa Derek a.k.a Dekunzy, 26

Producer, Artiste and C.E.O Dekunzy Entertainment Record label, he has worked on Nigga Raw’s latest album, Desperate Chicks’ album, Bracket’s album, his album ‘Who get that thing’, Flows Dog, and for Charlie Boy and Dr. Alban’s albums. He is currently working on Desperate Chicks’ new single, MTN Project fame winner Michael’s singles, Ill Bliss’s ‘Dat Ibo Boy Remix’, Bracket’s ‘Yori Yori Remix’ and Soul E’s new single.

Gabriel Amanyi a.k.a. Terry G, 23.

He is an artiste and beat maker responsible for many hit tracks on rotation. He hit the spotlight after producing 2 shots’ “In case you never know” featuring Timaya. His love for the reggaeton beat has seen him retain that style though he seems to imprint his own style strongly on every track. He’s laced beats for a lot of majors, and recorded some of the most successful collaborations this year including “Pass me your love” by A.Y.com , “Aye Po Gan”  by Illbliss, “One by One” by Side One among others.

Solomon Oyeniyi a.k.a Ksolo, 29

A producer and artist, he is CEO Soundbakery Studio, Igberaga Record with Klever Jay and Ajasa signed unto it. Has been working in the music industry for approximately 10 years and in 2009 worked with Kefee, Timaya, KleverJay, Charly Boy, Sunny Neji, Black Tribe, Mr. Kool, Muma Gee, Alariwo, Paul Play, Twin X, 2 Shot, Oriri and Duncan Mighty in songs like Kokoroko plus all songs in Timaya’s Album, all songs in Klever Jay’s album etc.  He is currently working on his solo album and then the albums of MTN project fame winner, Iyanaya, Da Pulse, Essence, Jaywon, Kcpresh, Dem Mama Soldier, KSB, Niga Raw, Zee Don, Hman, Klever Jay, Ajasa, Jahborne etc..

Tee-Y Mix, 26

He has worked on Kel’s ‘You too fine’, most of the songs of Darey’s album, Banky W’s ‘No be lie’ (new album) and 50% of Inyanya’s album.

Ibukun Jegede, 22

Jegede began modeling aged 16 now has a contract with Mahogany Models UK. He is winner of Britain’s Next Top Model of Colour and Best Male Model of the Year UK 2009. His fashion shows include the London Fashion Week, London Alternative Fashion Week, Wimbledon Fashion Week, Croydon Fashion Week, Mahogany Bridal Show, AD Fashion Show Paris, X Factor finals 2009. Editorial jobs include: Podium International Magazine, D101 Magazine, Mode Men Magazine, Proyfle Magazine. He was declared one of Nigerian top 10 international models in the world and appointed a councillor with the Labour Party in Sherwood and member of Nottingham East Constituency. He won for Best Male Model of the year 2009 (BEFFTA AWARDS).

Omotayo Sharon Ishola, 18

She began modeling at age 15 and is now a model with Zhongyi Anna Company in China. She was Nigeria’s representative at the 21st Miss Model of the World 2009 and presenter for Fashion Network Africa showing on HITV and Ben TV, UK. She has also been the lead option for Bank PHB TV commercial in South Africa. Her fashion shows include the 2008 Nigeria’s Next Super Model, and the Wonderbra Lingerie fashion show in South Africa.
Olubunmi Ademokoya, 20

She started her career in 2007 and in 2009 modeled in the Paris Fashion week, New York Fashion week, and the South African Fashion week. She has had contracts with ISIS Models, Johannesburg, ICON New York Model Management. Apart from being the only black girl in a fashion show in Paris, she was invited to Bulgaria to crown the winner of Best Model of the World 2009. She was Exquisite Model of the Year 2009 and won this award last year.

Ogunlaja Owobowale Jimi, 26

Started modeling 2003 and in 2009 featured in major shows like the South African fashion show summer collection, men’s health fashion show SA, True religion jeans fashion show, Audi Jo’berg fashion week, first face at the Fabiani show in January, was in a TV commercial for Bank PHB etc. Had contract with G3 modeling agency, has also modeled for charity and won Best male model 2008 with several nominations.  Modeled at the Arise Africa fashion week, Status Kadichi fashion shows, SA fashion 2010 summer collection 2010 and Cape Town fashion week.

Adebisi Sowemimo, 25

She started her career at 18 and in 2009 participated at the Millan fashion week, ARISE fashion week, South African week, AUDI fashion week. She holds contract with DAS Models Millan, Ice Models South Africa and the Nigerian Model Awards 2009.

Warebi Martha Ebigbabor, 27

She started modeling at age 20 and in 2009 worked at the Johannesburg fashion week, ARISE fashion week, New York fashion week, GT Bank commercial and Edgars commercial. She is signed on to Lion Agency New York and Ice Models South Africa.

Isi Atagamen, 28

She was at the Arise Fashion Week in Johannesburg, the Sanlam Fashion Week, a few private shows, the New York fashion week and recently got signed into major model management in New York. She has done 14 photo shoots in 2009 with photographers like Christine Galiantine, Don Broodie, Demi and Ajani Simmons.

Aminat Oluwaseun Ayinde, 22.

The former contestant on Tyra Bank’s America’s Next Top Model, she was the Winter 2008 face of Omo Naija Magazine. A full time model in New York, she has featured at the Thisday Arise Fashion Show at the New York Fashion Week, the Boston Fashion Expose, and presented a special fashion segment on BET’s 106 and Park show. 

Applause Magazine

 A 9 year old magazine focused on young and vibrant Nigerians in different regions, it circulates mostly on Nigerian campuses, the United States, London, Ghana and South Africa. It also increased its print run and circulation, publishing 3 editions in 2009.   The magazine was also part of the working committee in The 2009 Nigerian Reunion in Maryland USA, Nigerian Entertainment Awards in New York. 

Soundcity Blast

The 3 years old magazine is a quality and original music/entertainment/lifestyle news magazine targeted at the sophisticated Nigerian youth audience. With an average age of 30 as editors, Soundcity Blast is published and financed by the Soundcity Music Channel circulating primarily in Lagos, and other major cities across Nigeria. In the past year, it has interviewed Tuface, MI, Banky W, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Kiki Kamanu, Dagrin, Sah Ngaujah, Seun Kuti, Naeto C, Rooftop MCs, Omawumi, Timi Dakolo, Lagbaja and Nneka and was finalist for this award last year.

Dynamix

 The 9 years old youth driven and focused lifestyle, educative and entertainment magazine is run by editors with an average of 25 year olds. In the past year, in addition to the magazine, it has established a youth inclined TV programme in Nigeria with standard editing, visual quality and up to date content. It has over 20 staff in production, editing, presenting and correspondence, and worked with the 2009 – Etisalat youth segment launch, collaborated with Guinness to organise 250 celebration and had pre-awards concerts for its 2009 Dynamix Awards in University of Abuja, OAU, Redeemers, Leadcity University etc.

Tripz

The 4 years old entertainment magazine has the average age of editors at 21. In March 2009, the magazine celebrated 101 most celebrated dudes in Nigeria, and in November it put together Nigeria’s first ever tattoo beach party also supporting major events across the country. It has interviewed Kel, J Martins, Kaha, Aki & Pawpaw, Redstract, AY.com, dagrin. sheyman, Bez, Banky W, Xproject, MI, Bigiano in 3 editions.

Gennexx

The 3 year old information, education and entertainment magazine boasts of a strong celebrity endorsement offering partnership for student’s week on 21 campuses and entrepreneur TV projects. The average age of the editors is 28 and publication has expanded across West Africa with 80% copies sold in 10 editions. It has interviewed Banky W, AY, Jimmy Jatt, Koffi, Sauce kid, Ofunneka, Timi Dakolo. The publication has given birth to the Street University Bombshell Party, amongst others.

Revealed

The one year old news and entertainment magazine is sold in Lagos and Abuja. Average age of editors is 25 working. Published in partnership with IFT Communications, they also act as publicists for upcoming acts like Beverly Naya, Da legion and Entaprise and their Facebook group page currently has 3,600 fans. In 2 editions, Wande Coal, Shank, Soul E, Kween, Kel, Tuface, Dakore, Mode 9, Goldie, Isio Wanagho, F. Shaw and others have been interviewed. They also worked with Icons Production to do “All Nigerian Secondary School Awards 09” and with GoodLife productions to do “Aqua Select Model Search”. 

Ace

This is a 17-month old lifestyle, health and youth magazine with editors aged 19 that circulates across Lagos, private universities, Ghana and the UK. In 2009, they successfully hosted an academy event outfit in Yola Adamawa state, an event with musician Kel in Redeemer’s University, a Michael Jackson autograph session and Michael Jackson special with Silverbird. Celebrities interviewed in the last year are P-square,  Banky W, Kel, MI, Whizkid, Neato C, Wande Coal, Bobby Taylor, Eldee in 6 editions. They have got 4 Awards in different universities.

Ogunseye Oluwatoyosi Esther, 25

Investigative journalist at The Punch Newspaper with a minimum of 4 news stories published weekly, her major report in 2009 was investigating the debtor companies published by the Central Bank of Nigeria to discover some of the companies were fictitious. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission took up the matter and conducted further investigations that revealed that some of the companies belonged to the sacked chiefs.  She was 1^st runner-up, Young Journalist Award (2008), Business and Social Responsibility Reporter of the Year, Peak Media Award (2008) and Judiciary Reporter of the Year, Dame Media Award 2009.

Chinedu Oluwayomi Iroche, 29

The entertainment editor of NEXT Newspapers, he has been responsible for the daily entertainment pages since the daily launched in August this year, and some of his major stories include his Michael Jackson @ 51 and Jay-Z @ 40 stories.

Agbroko Aruona Jennifer, 27

Investigative journalist at NEXT Newspaper on the Socio–Political desk.  She also wrote 7 articles on Bilharzia in Ogun State 5 articles on demolition in Port Harcourt, and her job involved writing 1 story per day, 30 stories a month. She was selected as a participant in the Chimamanda Adiche and British council writing workshops, is a fellow of Nigerian leadership initiative future leaders’ seminar (2009)

Aminat Alhassan, 30

Alhassan is a journalist at Daily Trust Newspaper with published stories from various sectors ranging from womanhood, investigative report, health issues e.t.c. One of her major stories reported in 2009 was on the series of impact NBG project – a woman interest story (investigation).  6-8 of her stories are published per edition. She has been awarded Reporter of the Month three times in Daily Trust.

Afolabi Oyekoya, 30

The entertainment editor of City People magazine has in the past year conducted exclusive interviews with several Nollywood stars including K1 (on his health), the NURTW boss, 2face women, Sumbo Ajaba, and Fathia Balogun  and a story on how young guys have gone into money ritual(yahoo plus). Oyekoya has been recognised in Ireland, and as the UK entertainment Journalist of the Year (Media Nite Out Awards). He was Outstanding Entertainment Journalist 2009 at the 4^th outstanding achievers award.

Segun Adeoye, 29

Adeoye is a Staff writer of TELL Magazine and also Special Correspondent for Broad Street Journal. He anchored the cover story on the “Dawn of a New Lagos”, which turned out to be a huge report on the transformation in Lagos. He was elected Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, TELL Chapel, was a recipient of 2009 Joel Belz International Media Fellowship, a 2009 alumnus of The Fund for American Studies, which sponsored him to the 1^st Nigerian on a week journalism training to the European Journalism Institute, in Prague, Czech and a member of the International League of Young Journalists group based in Russia. He was also a 2009 Nominee of the Nigeria Media Merit Award in the Environmental Reporting Category.

Rachel Ogbu, 25.

Ogbu is a Senior Staff Writer at Newswatch Magazine and News Extra columnist who perhaps predicted the death of Michael Jackson in a story; “Is this a Suicide Mission?” in March 2009.  She has also written cover reports on Michael Jackson and an exclusive interview with Mohammed Fawehinmi, son of the late Gani Fawehinmi. She reported on the economic crisis “On Death Row” and chased a government convoy in a salon car from Bayelsa to Imo to report the exclusive story of Forest Whittaker finding his ancestral roots in Imo State and Danny Glover. She is a 2009 MA Media Student at the University of Bedfordshire, UK and was in2008 nominated for this same award. In the same period, she also reported for the Bank PHB Inspired Magazine, CNN ireport and NEXT.

Funke Adetutu, 29

Winner of this award last year, she moved from assistant editor to editor of the Business Life desk at Business Day Newspapers in the one year period, making her the paper’s only female editor.   She was winner of a 2-month Fellowship from the Netherlands government to attend a course on Internet for Journalist at the Radio Netherlands Training Centre (RNTC). In 2009, major reports included ‘A generation of Female Potters’, ‘Once Upon a Generation of Oloola,’ ‘Shomolu’s Multimillion naira Printing Slum,’ ‘Shylock Landlords, Helpless Tenants,’ ‘Lagos Renewal Projects and the Plights of the Displaced’ among others. She also started the weekend column called Sstarters and interviews of people like Fela Durotoye, Ade Bantu, Kate Henshaw-Nuttal, Peace Anyim-Osigwe of AMAA, among others.

Jumoke Verissimo, 30

In the past one year, Verissimo has been promoting poetry and reading – releasing a poetry collection: “I am memory.” She participated in exhibitions like the Struga Poetry Nights in Macedonia, gave a Visual Introduction to the Berlin International Festival audience and has received an Honorary Mention-Association of Nigerian Authors.

Onyeka Nwelue, 21

Nwelue’s success as author of “The Abyssinian Boy” (DADA Books, 2009) established him as a strong new literary voice leading him to give talks and presentations at universities and colleges across India, like University of Kurushektra, Delhi University and NSS College, Ottapalam.  The Abyssinian Boy is also being made into a film by Lasse Lau of KRAN Film Collective, Belgium.  2009 Visiting Fellow, Centre for Public Policy Research, Kochi, Kerala, India and benefactor of the 2008 Institute for Research on African Women, Children and Culture (IRAWCC) Grant.

Ovbiebo Richardson, 27

A passionate sculptor who won the 1st Prize – Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria and African Artist Foundation Exhibition, Lagos in November 2009 and 1^st prize at the Nigerian Breweries and African Artist Foundation in December 2009. Also, participated in various exhibitions and workshops in 2009 including the Old News Project No. 6 – Centre for Contemporary Art, Lagos, October Rain – National Museum, the Artlaw Training Workshop on Principles and Practice of Copyrights and Trademarks among others. Fellowships include: Society of Nigerian Artists, Centre for Contemporary Art and African Artist Foundation, Lagos. 

Yaaka Celestine Okpokpong, 18

Involved in graphic design, web design and digital art, his clients the Akwa Ibom State Government, Davinchi, The Clement Isong Foundation, Howfar Magazine, K-Otix magazine, Nature Udoh & The Gang, Pheonix Environmental Services, Naeto C, Wheels Entertainment and UNIUYO.

Andrew Esiebo, 31

A photographer, he was commissioned to take part in The World in One City- an ambitious public project which forms The Photographers’ Gallery’s (UK) celebration of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London. He was also selected as one of the World Press Photo African All Stars to tell African stories through football during and after the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. He has participated in various exhibitions like the Group 2009 Havanna Bieannial, Havanna, Cuba, Bamako , Mali and Dhaka, Bangladesh. 

Olanrewaju Oluwemimo Oluwafemi, 30

Oluwafemi is the chief executive office and director of Lafem Animation, a registered and two-time award-winning classical 2-D animation production studio/company located in Lagos with 10 animated short-subjects of which two of them have won awards in Nigeria and Ghana. Some notable filmography of 2009 were “POLICE REPORT” and the award winning “LAGOS SANITIZER” and NATIONAL CAKE EMBEZZLEMENT.” His clients include the STB-McCANN Advertising Agency with the Lagos State Internal Revenue Services which turned out to be his biggest project in 2009.

His works have been exhibited and screened in Ukraine, Spain and Canada.

Ogunnubi Babadeji, 29

‘Deji has has experience working with Paintings, Mosaic and Marble designs for Royal P.O.P Ceiling, Swimming pool and stone sculpture designs. His biggest project in 2009 was a N7.6million private home interior and exterior design with   royal P.O.P ceiling, marble floor, swimming pool design and construction. His 2009 work was exhibited at D YETTYD FASHION MEETS ART SHOW in London and at  UCL/DoSomethingPositiveAfrica fashion, art and culture exhibition.

Adekunle Samuel Owolabi, 24

Co-founder of Kstunt Media, a creative agency based in Johannesburg & Cape Town. Working with Paintings, Graphics & Multimedia Designs, Animations, Journals, Photography, Videos and Storytelling, he has exhibited works at the Aluta Premiere, S.A 1.Township Film Festival, Africa fashion Week, Johannesburg. Clients include FPA Agency Johannesburg, Yetty D London, Kunle Ayo-South Africa, JTON-New York. In 2009, Owolabi was  Creative Director of the African Drum Festival International 2010, Kaya FM & Joe Nina Vintage Tour Johannesburg & Durban, Designer, GROWING PAINS- Panos London, and  Feature Writer, 234 Next Nigeria amongst others. Has also designed over 50 websites.

Ayodele Arigbagbu

The 29 year old owns the one year old Dream Arts & Design Agency: a creative enterprise with interests in 1.) Design and Architectural consultancy through a professional division called Dream Arts & Design Associates, 2.) Publishing through their imprint – DADA books. They also plan to venture into other divisions for film, animation, music publishing and interactive media in a couple of years.

The agency consults for Children And The Environment (CATE), Crown Troupe of Africa and the African Artists’ Foundation, founded a magazine in 2008 called Design Pages and collaborates with other magazines in a quest to enliven and inform the Nigerian creative space through cutting edge design journalism, and works with an average of 10 people at any time.

Facing challenges of undercapitalization, understaffing and the absence of an established distribution framework, the company has still managed to use goodwill, outsourcing, volunteers and collaborations to publish three titles in the past 13 months: I am memory by Jumoke Verissimo, The Abyssinian Boy by Onyeka Nwelue, and A fistful of tales by Ayodele Arigbabu. The three books have been well received locally and internationally. It is also in advanced stages of pre-press on two other titles: The Land of Kalamandahoo by Ruby Igwe and The Search by Kanmi Olatoye. Both books will be introduced into the market in the first quarter of 2010. The company has also consulted in a creative capacity on programming, marketing communications, etc for the African Artists’ Foundation (AAF), Crown Troupe of Africa, and Children And The Environment (CATE). The company can boast of a turnover of N 1, 500, 000.00

Its architectural division has worked for two different clients on luxury apartments in Lekki (Lantana International Limited) and Parkview Estate, Ikoyi (a private client), both projects currently under construction. They have also also developed design proposals for Mainframe Productions and The Hubert Ogunde Estate in Ososa, Ogun State.

Oghenekaro Kevin Agono

The 29 year old owns Tremor Perfect, which he calls a “Live Sound Reinforcement Company that provides equipment rental and audio management for mostly corporate organizations. They also do consulting and acquisition for other organisations including churches and event management firms.

5 years old now, they have 8 full time staff and several contract staff based on the project or event and have worked in the past one year for the MTN Innovation Day featuring Les Brown, the Silverbird Man of the Year, Flytime Promotions (Wande Coal Album Launch/Rhythm Unplugged), Magic Moment (Spelling Bee), Alibaba Again, Rise Networks, Pepsi Footvolley Competition, the Dangote Logo Relaunch, HITV (Koko Mansion), Coca Cola(launch of the Rebranded 5 Alive), The Quadrant Company, GTBank End of Year party, the Etisalat 9jillion concert, the Ovation Red Carol, 001events (Gani Fawehinmi’s Funeral in Akure) and the American Women’s Club (233rd Independence celebration).

Adebola Olufemi Lewis

The 30 year old owns Yvent Kouture, an events decorating company, which “strength lies in highlighting elegance and style in simplicity.” 2 years in February 2010, the company has shown a capacity to comfortably handle 2 events of 1,500 guests in different states simultaneously and has 10 full time staff and about 30 contract staff. Some companies they worked for in the past one year are: BGL securities, Visafone, Cornerstone Insurance, KCOBA, NLI, the Lagos State Judiciary, and social events include former governor, Bola Tinubu’s 57^th birhtday, former governor Abubakar, Audu’s son’s wedding, Senator Omilani’s daughter’s wedding, amongst others. They have also

A finalist for this award last year, they have had a quantum leap in the period, launching a training school, developing its pyrotechnics department, partnered with 3 more youth development and charity organizations (Brand it Nigeria, Sisi Oge peagent, & Inside Out communications) in addition to the two they already partner with (Rise Networks and The Future Awards). They also successfully hosted FACING THE GIANTS, their 1^st annual events training seminar geared at encouraging and empowering youth in self employment.

They have won 2 awards: Decorator of the year 2009 by the wedding planner magazine and also the Best Nigerian Wedding and Event decorator by the WEAN (Wedding and Events in Nigeria) Awards and intend to fully build up the training school by January 2010, with an intention to have trained 40 seasoned decorators by the end of next year: 10 every 3months.

Hassan Rilwan

This 27 year old owns Focal Point Publishing Limited, a 4 year old company, which publishes the monthly Sardauna Magazine and organizes the annual Sardauna Excellence and Leadership Awards. He also manages Focal Point Laundry Limited (machines under production in Italy) and Focal Point Constructions Limited. From a total amount of about N25, 000 the business now has an average annual turnover of up to N100 million, with 26 staff (from 16 when he was finalist for this award last year) and up to 40 depending on the project.

Despite disappointment from major awards sponsors leaving them with a deficit of 55 million 30 days to the last edition and inability to deposit for the production of the machines for the laundry outfit, they have successfully commenced monthly publication from our December edition by beefing up the editorial team and synchronizing production time table and then hosted another successful award ceremony despite the deficit by taking the huge risk of borrowing from bank and individuals and just carrying on till the very last minute for the break. They had to sell our seats at a prize of N103,000 and N250,000 for reserved seat. This was a huge risk which only paid up two days to the event. They also built up the image of the award which also justified the amount, by bringing together a former Prime Minister of New Zealand and former DG of the World Trade Organisation, a representative of President Yaradua, 20 ambassadors, 6 governors, several senators and corporate CEOs like the UBA MD amongst others. They have also successfully deposited for their grade A laundry equipments and are targeted to commence operations in March 2010.

The magazine has also started selling in major cities in the north and Lagos, with increased staff salaries and welfare package: monthly salary outlay stands at N1.7 million from about N500,000 last year, and they have also had as clients, Peugeot Automobiles Nigeria Limited, the Federal Road Safety Commission, the NERC, UBA Plc, MTN, NIPOST, FinBank Plc, Union Bank Plc, Intercontinental Bank Plc, First Bank of Nigeria Plc, SMEDAN, Dangote Group, Access Bank Plc, the National Action Committee on Aids, and the Bank of Industry. They also offer  I.T Consultancy to the National Assembly. Amongst other things, Mr. Rilwan is the founder and financer of the Sardauna Media Child Destitution Eradication Foundation: which constructed a school and hostel to house 21 almajirais (northern child destitute) to be educated and taken care of up till university level.

Erefa Temitayo Fynecontry 

28 years old, Doheney Services Ltd is a Human Resource Consulting outfit set up in November 2004. The Firm is a one- stop firm providing specialized and in depth human resource consultancy services across several key industries. Some of the industries we cover include Oil & Gas, Telecommunications, Banking & Financial Services, Transport & Logistics, manufacturing, FMCG and Food Industries etc

They have 10 staff, and routinely work with facilitators for their trainings, consultants for projects and their foreign partners Abeceder for trainings and HR Consulting projects. Despite the fact that, with the global economic crisis, banks stopped giving credit and their clients have had to cut their hiring and training budgets, they have managed to develop other streams of income like immigration process documentation (since they provide expatriate recruitment services, they now manage the whole immigration process for the companies they recruit them for) and having a GTA partnership, which allows their sell insurance to friend’s families and some of their clients. They also introduced a new arm; Doheney Drivers, a driver’s scheme where they provide trained and certified drivers. 

In the past year, they have trained 20 station managers for the Lagos Internal Revenue Service, trained trainers for Sahara Group, recruited for First Guarantee Pensions, recruitment and training for Adata C Track, Bell Oil & Gas, and Dragnet. They also handled recruitment, training, immigration documentation process & HR – Reengineering Process for Raeanna Nig Ltd, and HR structuring and management for the Blue Water Group.

Doheney Services launched a Graduate Finishing School Scheme in 2008 where they train graduates for a month preparing them for the labor market and subsequently placing them at a fee, they reviewed this in 2008 and started again in 2009 at no cost to the graduates apart from the cost of the Dragnet test which they have now also reviewed and the training will be at no cost to the graduates  from January 2010, as they now have sponsors for the program like dragnet etc. They then place them to organisations at no cost to the organisations as well.

Henry Nnamdi Orajiaka 

25 years old, his company Motomedia provides advertising and marketing solution to companies by developing; implementing a range of impressive technologies to

 create advanced advertising solutions, futuristic interactive information displays and fully enhance the Street-level Billboards and TV concept. 3 years olf now, they have 8 staff, and 14 other contract staff.

Despite the challenge of companies cutting down on their advertising budget, they have successfully deployed their advertising solutions in high profile places such as Murtala Mohammed Airport (MMA) Terminal 2, Silver

 Bird Galleria, Mega Plaza and e-center, expanded our territory by deploying they advertising platform in Tanzania for clients like Zantel/Etisalat, partnered with Advertange Media to further market their advertising platforms in Nigeria and won a mega contract to handle Globacom lamppost advertising yearly which gives them the room to get concession of each location for a period of 10 years by the Lagos state government.

They also designed and deployed the navigation campaign interactive content for the Nokia E71, 6710 in MMA2 and Silver-Bird Galleria,

 and deployed the Nokia “on line as it is Touch screen” N97 campaign in Silverbird, Mega Plaza, E-center using Motomedia interactive touch screen to bring to live the key feature of the phone which is the ability to customize phones simply by touching your screen. They delivered the Yo Yogurt campaign for Nutricima successfully using their street level TV platform in MMA2 and other prime locations in Nigeria; this is despite the yearly contract to install and maintain 361 scroller type lamppost on street light for Globacom in 4 major roads annually

They did the digital display for the Today’s Nigeria.com in the airport using our wall interactive platform, they delivered the PimpJuice interactive floor in 2 locations in Murtala Mohammed Airport 2 for Fillmore Brewery’s brand PimpJuice during their launch period in Nigeria, and worked hand in hand with MediareachOMD, Mediacom, Advertange media in making each of these campaigns successful. They are also involved in the importation of Pimpjuice, Toys and Hot Air Ballon Advertising service and are the sole distributors for Nelly’s premium energy drink (PimpJuice) in West Africa.

Sylvester Olusola Adade

The 22 year old owns Pearl Creations (a Subsidiary of The SKA Group), which he started two years ago, after moving to Canada in August, 2006 to complete his tertiary and medical education at McMaster University. This company essentially makes two (2) products: Button-Badges and Lapel Pins. It provides button-badges for personal use, effective advertising and marketing of Companies, goods and services; promotions, campaigns, special occasions, holidays and international events

Pearl Creations, which has 3 employees, is based in Ontario, Canada, but§ also operational in Lagos, Nigeria. Despite poor credibility due to his race, rejection letters from comic stores, film companies, theatres, and cinemas when who he approached for contracts to make buttons he now supplies buttons to groups and organisations within Hamilton, and supplies buttons to individuals, international Events and Companies within Canada, the PR of China, United States, Nigeria, Mexico and England, in the past one year working with The Invisible Children, the 2010 Business Network for Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, and Cure Canada. He has also had as clinets, the Hope for David Charity Show [Hamilton, ON, Canada], i-Rep Fashion Show [Hamilton, ON, Canada],  Ontario Universities’ Competition for Hip-Hop (O.U.C.H.) 2008 Dance Off [Hamilton, ON, Canada], the University of Lagos Engineering Faculty [Lagos, Nigeria], the  University of Windsor African Union [Windsor, ON, Canada], the Legacy Festival’s B.H.M. Event [Toronto, ON, Canada], the McMaster African Students’ Association (M.A.S.A.) [Hamilton, ON, Canada] and the Erindale College African Students’ Association [Mississauga, ON, Canada].

The Parent Company of Pearl Creations is The SKA Group; and it will be starting up “Suave Clothing” soon which will be making Dress Shirts, Suits and Ties; and selling classic Watches (partnering with LR Watches), Cufflinks, Tie Clips and Belts from Reputable Designers and Jewelers like Cartier, Dior and Yves Saint Laurent.

Uyi Omokaro

The 27 year old’s company is into advertising and brand building and began in June 2006, now having 9 full time staff and 6 contract staff.

Despite cut advertising budgets, they handle 360 campaigns for Mouka Foam, Sprite, Schweppes, Interswitch, Acorn Petroleum and have also done work for ARM Investments, Marion as well as brokered sponsorship deals For Celebrity takes 2 with Platform for Skye bank.

Its client Mouka was nominated for brand of the year 6 times last year and won 5, especially with its animated TV ad.