Junior Chamber International (JCI), a membership-based non-profit organization located in over 100 countries across the globe, has commenced its search for Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the year 2017. Established in Nigeria in 1957, JCI is the first youth organization of its kind, with members across every state in the federation.
Boasting an impressive 5,000 local organizations, a vibrant community of 200,000 active citizens and millions of alumni, the organization targets citizens aged between 18 and 40, dedicated to creating positive changes in their communities.
Since 1983, JCI has formally recognized young persons who have excelled in their chosen fields of endeavour and created positive change in their communities through its annual Ten Outstanding Young Persons (TOYP) Awards.
Past recipients of the JCI Nigeria TOYP awards include such well-known personalities as Dr. Ola Orekunrin, Ray Ekpu, Sir Shina Peters, Kanu Nwankwo, John Momoh, Femi Anikulapo-Kuti, Daddy Showkey, Richard Mofe Damijo, Gbenga Sesan, Linda Ikeji, Japheth Omojuwa, and legends such as the late 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 says, ‘as an organization working towards the fulfillment of its mission of empowering the youth, JCI Nigeria recognizes young people who excel in their chosen fields, endeavors 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 explains, ‘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 also adds 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 other honourees 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 2017.
Visit: www.toyp.jci.ng to nominate your person and follow #JCINTOYP2017, and JCI Nigeria on social media for further details.