10th August, 2015
At least 50 Nigerian youngsters have emerged winners of the 4th edition of the annual Nigerian Teen Choice Award in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2015 edition of the award, held on Sunday night at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, recognized teenagers who were into music, fashion, comedy, sport, media and entrepreneurship.
Mr Nelson E. Williams, founder of the award, said it was a platform to recognise and honour young personalities in Nigeria who have done well in various fields.
“It is to encourage and develop young Nigerians to reach the height of whatever they choose to do.
“It started in 2012, and it’s my own way of developing talents in Nigeria.
“The award has gained popularity and this 4th edition is bigger in terms of participation and awards, as we are giving 52 awards tonight.
“We received over 10,000 nominations and we had to screen them and reduce the numbers to about 600, as we have 50 categories of the award,” he explained.
Williams also told NAN that since the number of awardees increase yearly, there was need for well meaning Nigerians and corporate bodies to support the project.
Some of the recipients who spoke to NAN expressed happiness for emerging winners of such highly competitive award.
Efe Oraka, 16, who came first in the Choice Female Artiste category said, “I feel very happy because I really wanted this award.
“I have been singing since I was nine and released my first album at 11.
“Though I did not think I stood a chance of winning, I am very proud to be named the winner.”
A recipient of the Afro-beat star award said: “It all started from dreaming it, and today I am actualizing it.
“This, to me is a recognition of my hard work, and it is going to serve as a springboard to my next level in music.
“I specially dedicate this award to my father for his support and encouragement.”
Obina Obitaris, who won the Choice Stylist award, told NAN of what earned him the award.
“I style celebrities and beauty queens, and I do this passionately.
“I was nominated and I sent messages to people to vote for me and that got me this award tonight.
“This award is a call to more hard work, and I am going to do just that.”
Rev. Osoba Otaigbe, CEO of Centre for Cultural Savvy and Leadership Development (CCSLD), Nigeria, pledged that the organization would offer free Leadership training to the awardees, to enable them succeed in their career.
“We are offering all the awardees free mentoring, coaching and strategic leadership development, and that is our own way of empowering the Nigerian youths.
“To excel in their career, they need other soft skills beside technical competence.
“They need emotional and cultural intelligence, strong character, integrity, perseverance and can-do mentality.
“A lot of them know what to do, but how to do it is a bit of a struggle, so our aim is to mentor and strategically guide them,” he said.
NAN reports that the annual award offers online platform where people participate in nomination and voting in the various categories of the awards.