Dr. Ahmed Adamu Named Among 100 Most Influential Young Africans

100 Most Influential Young Africans

Africa Youth Awards, the continent’s biggest honour for young achievers with annual participation from over 140 countries has announced its inaugural list of 100 Most Influential Young Africans.

The list which has representation from 27 African countries has a gender equity of 62 men and 38 women with the youngest being 14, considering the age limit of 40.

Selecting 10 of the most influential across 10 distinct categories, the number 100 represents the force of young people who are creating change and making sure it translates into making the lives of other people better.

Making the list is Dr. Ahmed Adamu, the Pioneer Global Chairperson of the Commonwealth Youth Council and a University Lecturer at Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina, Nigeria. Dr. Adamu who was previously voted as the “African Young Personality of the Year for 2015” was honoured to be on the list for his consistent commitment in Youth Development.

Dr. Adamu expressed his profound gratitude for being nominated and selected to be among the 100 most influential Young Africans. “I am filled with humility and happiness, and I would like to sincerely thank those that nominated me for this great honor, and I would like to appreciate the Africa Youth Award for honouring me once again. Having won “The African Youth Personality Award for 2015, which is one of the highest Youth Award in the continent, and now being listed among the 100 most influential Young Africans, it gives me great courage to do more in making difference in other people's lives. Dr. Adamu said.

He added “Appreciating others who are doing amazing works is very rare in our culture, that is why we have to recognise the Africa Youth Awards for sacrificing everything to appreciate others, they too should be appreciated. I am extremely happy for this award, because, I did not give money to earn it, it was by God grace that enabled me to have unconditional and unyielding passion for Youth development, which I do without expectation of a reward. And I want to encourage other Youth to do the same. We should do things without expecting appreciation from others.”

Dr. Adamu concludes “Finally, I would like to use this opportunity to call on Young People to think of what they can do for themselves, not what others can do for them. Young people should count their richness by the lives they were able to touch. They should not blindly follow the so called “Godfathers”, those old generation have tendency of using the Youth and dump them later. Young people must take responsibility and demand for their rightful positions in leading the African continent and the world at large.”

The list of 2016 100 Most influential Young Africans was compiled in consultation with a jury made up of young Africans based across the globe after weeks of public nomination represents hope for the continent and exhibits the potentials Africa has to become a global phenomenon.

Prince Akpah, President of the Africa Youth Awards, reiterated the need for the continent to be inspired by its own success stories and hope the list will provide a great reference of motivation for most young people to take a step in creating a great future for themselves and Africa.

The list comes with a publication which features Profiles and other details of the 100 Most Influential Young Africans accessible for download on www.africayouthawards.org  

Partners for the ranking included Avance Media, My Naija Naira, Dream Ambassadors Foundation GH, Global Skills Exchange, Project Know Thy Self International, ACME Consult, Afro Lynk, with the support of various Media Organisations across the continent.

Arranged in Alphabetical Order, below are the 2016 100 Most Influential Young Africans

1. Abraham Attah
2. Ahmed Adamu
3. Ahmed Musa
4. Alain Nteff
5. Alek Wek
6. Alengot Oromait
7. Amira Yahyaoui
8. Anas Aremeyaw Anas
9. Anthony Mutua
10. Arthur Zang
11. Ashish Thakkar
12. Ashley Uys
13. Ato Ulzen-Appiah
14. Aya Chebbi
15. Baba Rahman
16. Barkha Mossae
17. Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu
18. Bitania Lulu Berhanu
19. Blessing Okagbare
20. Bogolo Kenewendo
21. Bright Simmons
22. Byrite Asamoah
23. Chancel Mbemba
24. Chidiogo Akunyili
25. Chimananda Ngozi
26. Christian Ngan
27. Christopher Ategeka
28. Clare Akamanzi
29. Diamond Platnumz
30. Emmanuel Makandiwa
31. Eric Kinoti
32. Eunice Jepkoech Sum
33. Farida Bedwei
34. Franklin Cudjoe
35. Fred Swaniker
36. Habsana Jallow
37. Hadeel Ibrahim
38. Henok Wendirad
39. Heshan De Silva
40. Ik Osakioduwa
41. Issam Chleuh
42. Jama Jack
43. James Mworia
44. Jamila Abass
45. Jim Iyke
46. Johnson Sakaja
47. Julius Malema
48. Kansiime Anne
49. Kelvin Macharia Kuria
50. Kennedy Odede
51. Khaya Dlanga
52. Landry Ndriko Mayigane
53. Landry Signe
54. Lina Ben Mhenni
55. Linda Ikeji
56. Ludwick Marishane
57. Lupita Nyongo
58. Makosi Musambasi
59. Maletsabisa Molapo
60. Mamadou Touré
61. Mark Essien
62. Mfonobong Nsehe
63. Minoush Abdel-Meguid
64. Mmusi Maimane
65. Moustapha Ben Barka
66. Murtala Mohamed Kamara
67. Mustapha Mokass
68. Nadeem Juma
69. Nelson Oduma
70. Nima Elbagir
71. Nkechikwu Nkeiruka Valerie Azinge
72. Ola Orekunrin
73. Omojuwa Japheth
74. Omotola Jalade
75. Patrick Ngowi
76. Peace Hyde
77. Phiona Mutesi
78. Pierre Emerick Aubameyang
79. Rapelang Rabana
80. Richard Nyong
81. Riyad Mahrez
82. Rosebill Satha
83. Saadatou Mallam Barmou
84. Sadio Mane
85. Samuel Malinga
86. Sangu Delle
87. Sarkodie
88. Serge Aurier
89. Simbarashe Mhuriro
90. Siyabulela Xuza
91. Sophie Ikenye
92. Suleiman Sani Bello
93. Thato Kgatlhanye
94. Tom Osborn
95. Tonye Rex Idaminabo
96. Trevor Noah
97. Vincent Aboubakar
98. Vusi Thembekwayo
99. Wizkid
100. Zuriel Oduwole

Africa Youth Awards is Africa’s most prestigious award scheme with the prime aim of appreciating the works of young Africans in Africa and the Diaspora.