Junior Chamber International (JCI) has announced the search for its Ten Outstanding Young Persons (TOYP) of 2017.
Since 1983, JCI has formally recognised young persons who have excelled in their chosen fields of endeavour and created positive change in their communities through its annual TOYP Awards.
Past recipients include such well-known personalities as Dr. Ola Orekunrin, Ray Ekpu, Sir Shina Peters, Nwankwo Kanu, John Momoh, Femi Anikulapo-Kuti, Daddy Showkey, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Gbenga Sesan, Linda Ikeji and Japheth Omojuwa.
Departed recipients are Bimbo Odukoya, MEE Mofe-Damijo and Amaka Igwe.
All were named before the age of 40, and before they had achieved national prominence.
Speaking on the 2017 TOYP Awards, JCI Nigeria President, JCI Senator Richard Babajide Ojo said “As an organisation working towards the fulfilment of its mission of empowering the youth, JCI Nigeria recognises young people who excel in their chosen fields, endeavours and in commitments to their communities. These young people’s stories of discovery, determination and ingenuity help inspire others to be better leaders and create better societies.”
On the nomination and voting process, the 2017 Chairman TOYP Awards, ‘Bisi Ogunwale explained, “Any Nigerian can nominate anyone between the ages of 18 and 40. A select panel of eminent and credible Nigerians from different walks will serve as judges for the nominations phase, while members of the public will be invited to vote on the nominations after the release of a shortlist in each category.”
He added that JCI Nigeria partner, KPMG, a reputable international professional services firm, will carry out verification of nominations and voting.
The 2017 JCI Nigeria TOYP Award Ceremony takes place in Lagos in September, coinciding with JCI Nigeria’s 60th anniversary.
The Nigerian Honourees will later be presented for the global JCI TOYP Awards alongside others from over a hundred JCI countries, out of which the final list of 10 global honourees will be selected and awarded in Amsterdam, Netherlands in November.
JCI is a membership-based non-profit organisation of young active citizens aged 18 to 40 in more than 100 countries who are dedicated to creating positive change in their communities.
With about 5,000 local organisations, JCI forms a vibrant global community of nearly 200,000 active citizens with millions of alumni.
JCI Nigeria is the first youth organisation of its kind in Nigeria and was established in 1957 with members across every state of the federation.
