Inaugural Arewa 30 Under 30 Superstars Emerge
Thirty youngsters from northern Nigeria who are under the age of 30 have been honoured by Arewa Agenda a publication of Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR) – publishers of PRNigeria and other titles in a collaboration with Daily Nigeria for their outstanding success in various areas which include innovation, arts, technology, sports, entertainment, activism, humanitarian work, social media impact etc.
Tagged “30 Under 30 Arewa Stars,” the maiden award ceremony was held in Kano on Saturday to celebrate the best brains from the North who are making impacts and inspiring others.
The 30 superstars were selected from over 300 nominees by a team of judges led by Dr. Kabir Sufi and made up of scholars, senior journalists, business leaders, and tech icons assembled by the organisers.
Speaking at the colourful ceremony, PRNigeria’s Head of Investigation and chairman of the organising committee, Mohammed Dahiru Lawal, told the audience that the essence of the ceremony was not only to honour greatness and inspire Arewa youths but also to create a point of convergence for potential mentors and mentees of northern origin so that more young people can find their ways to the top.
The event also witnessed a presentation by Aisha Bashir Tofa, the Founder of Startup Kano, who spoke on Convergence of Technology for Youth Enterprise.
Aside honouring the best 30 under 30 Arewa youths with different awards, the event also witnessed musical and comedy interlude, motivational sessions and an interactive panel discussion that focused on how to elevate the thinking capacity and living standard of the the Arewa youth.
Here are some of the winners:
Innovation: Mustapha Abubakar Gajibo
Gajibo is a young entrepreneur with knack for technological development. Determined to showcase his skill in technology, the Kanuri-born prodigy has blazed a trail by producing electric vehicles. Gajibo plans to produce his electric vehicle en masse and export same to other Arican countries.
Public Health: Dr Khalid Sunusi Khani
Dr Kani is a public health expert who was recognize by the United Nations Youth Envoy as one of the Young Inspiring Leaders that is working fervently on curbing the spread of COVID-19 in 2020. He also advocated and championed the implementation of Tertiary Institution Social Health Insurance Program (TISHIP) in Bayero University Kano at the time he served as the Students’ Union Government President. (2018).
Dr Kani has Influenced Politicians and Philanthropist to sponsor Medical Outreaches in Rural Communities within and outside Kano State (Zaura Medical Outreaches, Prof Hadiza Galadanchi Medical Outreaches, Zaura Maternal Day, Walin Kazaure Medical Outreaches, e.t.c (2019-2022).
Media: Zainab Bala
Bala is a Journalist with over ten years of experience. She is the Team Lead documentaries at Trust TV she is also the founder of the Scoop storytelling initiative an innovative platform revolutionalising how community-based stories are told for sustainable development.
She is the 2021 Winner of the International Centre for Journalists Micheal Elliot award for excellence in African Storytelling, an International women’s media foundation Howard G. Buffet fund for women journalists grantee, a US department of state-sponsored Mandela Washington Fellows and a Finalist of the Wole Soyinka award for Investigative reporting.
Social Activism: Salim Yunusa
Yunusa is a freelance journalist, bilingual writer, translator, and social activist who is using literature to inspire younger generations for social development. He is the founder of Poetic Wednesdays Initiative, an organization that promotes literary activities in Northern Nigeria.
A graduate of Urban and Regional Planning ABU Zaria who has delivered a TEDX Speech, Yunusa is a serial award winner and has been a guest, and poet performer at many Books and Arts festivals.
Social Media Influencer: Dr Naima Idris
Naima is a thoroughbred physician, and health communicator of sterling repute and acclaim.
She is the Founder and Creative Director of Girls Talk Series, and the SheWin Foundation — providing unique online and on-site solutions to the barriers of Healthcare inclusion and access to over 20 million women, children and girls in vulnerable communities. Her work and impact is of national and international note, being the recipient of several awards and honors including the US Department of State Young African Leaders Initiative Certificate and the Mandela Washington Fellowship
Engineering: Sagir Koki
Sagir Koki is the Founder and CEO of Forte GCC Innovative Solutions Limited. He is a graduate of Master of Engineering from the University of Surrey. During his university years, he served as the professional and academic executive of the Civil Engineering Society between 2015 to 2016.
Engr. Khalil Sagir Koki also attained the APM Project Fundamental Qualification from the Association for Project Management. He is currently member of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), Institute of Highways Engineers (IHE) and the Association for Project Management (APM) in the United Kingdom.
He has worked with Highways England and CCECC and now runs a successful engineering firm in Nigeria.
Interior Decoration: Bello Ahmed
Ahmad is a young Nigerian Graduate of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria who ventured into online businesses during his undergraduate days. Ahmad initially focused on fashion accessories and later diversified into interorior decoration, founding Deco Studio in Sub Section of Red Cabana Interior, one of the best interior companies in Kano State. He currently employs at least 10 persons in his company and has mentored over 30 youths on the business.
Fintech: Abdulrazak Rogo
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Rogo is an accomplished Creative Designer, Software Developer and young entrepreneur. He focuses on empowering small businesses by building tools that solve their most pressing challenges. He has (co)founded three startups from zero to one.
He has been the mastermind behind several startups including Ontrack Business App (ontrack.ng), Bluepage Softwares LTD (bybluepage.com), EasyLife Creative Studio (easylifestudio.com.ng) and several others.
Art and Printing: Usman Usman
Usman is a creative and passionate Artist with about ten years of experience in Project Coordination and Art Exhibition. Having received the Director General’s Award of Art and Scholarship, he became the representative of Gombe State University in Nigerian Universities Arts Exhibition (NUXART) and the African Arts and Cultural Exhibition in Kenya.
His experience earned him the position of a coordinator for the Naija@60 Arts Exhibition, Jewel Arts and Cultural Exhibition and Northern Entertainment Week Art Exhibition. Usman is a proud Art Promoter and Founder of TECTOPI NIG. LTD.
Legal-Law: Ahmed Rufai Maiyaki
A Private Legal Practitioner, working with Prime Alliance Law Firm. A litigator (Criminal, Civil and Shari’a Law) with relative experience in Realty and Corporate Practice. Ahmad has appeared and actively led in over
90 cases within the space of my 5 years at the Nigerian Bar.
Event Manager: Amina Umar
Amina Umar is a Young and passionate event manager Based in Kebbi State, Nigeria.
Born on 1st May, 1999 miss Umar holds a Diploma in event management from Kebbi State University. She has managed more then 500 events in less three years of practice including the wedding ceremony of the daughter of the present minister of justice and attorney general of Nigeria Abubakar Chika Malami SAN
Politician: Adnan Muktar Adam
Adam is a Journalist and Political PR Consultant. He writes for POLITICS DIGEST and is the Manager of PRNigeria Centre in Kano. His foray into politics by contesting the seat of House of Assembly to represent Nassarawa Constituency under the United People Congress which came 4th with a total of 603 Votes breathed life into the Not Too Young to Run Bill which was signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari in May 2018.
This movement will later inspire the young politician to write an epistle titled, “Not too young to run: My personal experience.”
Entertainment: Josiah Innoccent
known as Jolex Gonzalz he was earthed in the city of Jos raised in the crocodile city of Kaduna. In 2021 He dropped a four track Ep tittle ( PACIFIC) the tape Gained attention from few cities and was nominated twice on the North satisfied award 2021/2022 under the category Lyricist on a roll and was also recognised by #JTHHA J Town Hip Hop Award 2022 under the category New male Hip Hip artist of the year
Jolex Gonzalz is a son to a clergy man.
Architecture: Ibrahim Datti
Datti is an architect of repute who has proven himself to be a young practitioner in his profession. He’s called “small but mighty” by his clients despite his age. His architectural skills have been lauded and appreciated by his lecturers and mentors which has earned him a lot of recognition. He has participated in highly competitive design both locally and internationally.
Education: Lawan Mu’azu
Lawan Muazu is a poet, novelist and playwright
In his prime, he is the author of three books including Fantasies, Son of a Bastard and lot more stories underway. Despite being an undergraduate, Mu’auzu is proprietor of a private a private primary school in Kuta, Niger State.
He attended Obah Primary School, Obah-Kuta and Government Day Secondary School, Kobwa-Kuta. He obtained his N.C.E in English and Primary Education Studies from National Teachers’ Institute, Kaduna (Kuta Study Centre). He is currently undergoing his Bachelor of Arts (B.A English) Degree at Bayero University, Kano.
Entrepreneurship: Yusuf Dauda Kargi
Kargi was born into the family of Mr. and Mrs. Yusufu Yahaya Dabo on the 13th of June, 1994. He started his Agro business with a seed capital of just N50,000. Today, he produces and supply thousands of food crops with business chains across the nation. He has used his business to engage small farm holders.
Humanitarian: Aishatu Alhaji Kabu
is the founder and Executive Director of the Zenith of the Girl Child and Women Initiative (ZEGCAWIS), a girls’ and women’s rights organization that promotes gender, social and economic justice, and promoting meaningful inclusion.
Born in september 1997, Aishatu founded ZEGCAWIS in northeastern Nigeria in 2016 at the age of 19 and get it officially registered with cooperate affairs commission in 2018 at age 21 to respond to the Sexual and Reproductive health, equity and rights and Gender Based Violence prevention, mitigation and response needs of women and girls affected by an ongoing humanitarian crisis that has displaced many people to host communities and informal settlements.
Actress: Zpreety
Zuliahat Ibrahim known as Zpreety is a fast rising Kannywood actress, model, dancer in Nigeria. She is well known for her dancing skills that wows her audience.
Zpreety was born on 24 March 1997 in Kano State.
Zpreety is a professional Kannywood actress who has featured in many roles with different characters. Her acting roles have so far made her a household name in the North and Nigeria by extension.
Sports: Salahudeen Muhammed
Saluaudeen is a young sports talented who was born to Muhammed’s family in 1997. He has used is sporting skills to encourages younger generation with different sports records .
His ACHIEVEMENT include:
Barnawa United Football Club: U-form 2009
Barnawa United Football Club: U-15 winners 2010
Barnawa United Football Club: U-18 winners 2012
Assist leader, Peace Cup 2012.
Player of the tournament, KadPa Competition 2014
Barnawa United Football Club: Best Player of the year 2015-16
Barnawa United Football Club: Captain 2018
Handcraft: Aminu Dauda Barau
Barau is a professional craftsman, with focus on production and distribution of qualitative shoes for both male and female gender. Has works have been distributed nationwide and is widely acclaimed for its high quality, reliability and affordability.
Fashion: Sulaiman Musa Daitu
Detu is an outstanding fashion designer operating in Kaduna State. He has been an icon in entrepreneurship and a role model for upcoming entrepreneurs in the fashion industry across the northern region of Nigeria. He uses his fashion business to mentor, train and upskill young people in the industry thereby activating them for self-sustainability.
