Premium times reporter, Idris Akinbajo, was on Sunday named The Future Awards Young Person of the Year 2012.

Akinbajo beat nominees Banky W, D'banj, PSquare, Chinwe Njoku, and Linda Ikeji to clinch the top prize.

Speaking at the award ceremony in Port Harcourt, Akinbajo dedicated his award to colleagues at Premium Times and the defunct NEXT newspaper.

Akinbajo who was an investigative journalist at NEXT newspapers, is currently Head of Investigation at Premium Times. He won the African Investigative Journalist of the Year, the Nigerian Investigative Journalist of the year 2011, best Nigerian investigative story in print, and second best Nigerian investigative story (Online) at the 2011 Wole Soyinka Investigative Reporting Awards.

He was also a finalist at the 2012 CNN/Multichoice African Journalist of the Year Awards held in Lusaka, Zambia.

According to Akinbajo, such nominations are his motivating factors to continue to do well in journalism. "Journalism is the best channel available for me to push for change and growth in my country," he said.

Also speaking at the awards, Tony Elumelu, the Chief Executive Officer of Heir Holdings said, "The world is at your feet. This generation should indeed do much better. It is always tough, but out of tough times, great ideas and thoughts come up."

In his address, Chude Jideonwo, Executive Director of The Future Project called on the Nigerian youth to have faith in the country.

"It is difficult to have faith when you look at the young people. It is herculean to believe in it. This ship has been sinking, but it has not yet sunk. Let us handle Nigeria the way a mother handles a child with drug addiction. Let us keep the faith. If we stumble, let us rise. Let us keep changing until we tear down these walls. Because we can," Jideonwo said.

The 2012 edition of the annual The Future Awards took place last night, for the first time outside Lagos, in the garden city of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Sponsored by the Rivers State government and Access Bank, and hosted by Tinsel star, Gideon Okeke and R&B singer Waje, the winners include, Don Jazzy, for the Entrepreneur of the Year (Entertainment); Wizkid for Musician of the Year; and Tonto Dikeh for Actor of the Year among others.

The award which is centred on Nigerian youths that have outshone in various ventures had several categories of awards to that effect. There was an initial green carpet event showcasing an assortment of celebrities and public figures in the likes of former World Bank Vice President, Oby Ezekwesili, and Rivers State Deputy Governor, Tele Ikuru for photographs.



http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/journalist-wins-young-person-year

Men this young person doesn't look so young o!



How old is he?

lol

I'll ask him and let you know