The Nigeria Prize for Difference and Diversity, endowed by the co-founder of human flourishing company, Joy, Inc. and host of #WithChude, Chude Jideonwo has announced the ten finalists for its maiden edition. The finalists are set to attend the one-week workshop scheduled to hold from October 12 – 17, 2020.
The finalists are all young people below the ages of 30 who are creating safe, warm spaces for diversity, inclusion and equality.
These are the 10 finalists:
- Queer liberation activist, Ani Kayode Somtochukwu
- Emotional & mental wellness Yoga coach, Michael Nwah Ernest
- Therapist, Toluse Dove Francis
- Founder of the Let Cerebral Palsy Kids Learn Foundation, Oluwatobiloba Ajayi
- Autism educator, Adelola Edema
- Human Rights advocate, Michael Nwielua
- Founder of Boys Quarters Africa, Solomon Ayodele
- Human Rights activist and journalist, Sada Malumfashi
- Senior Editor of Zikoko.com, Daniel Orubo
- Editor in chief of ANastyBoy.com , Vincent Desmond
The list of finalists and their profiles can be viewed on www.diversity.ynaija.com.
The finalists were graded and selected by a distinguished panel of judges including actors Nse Ikpe-Etim and Eku Edewor, consultant psychiatrist Dr. Gbonjubola Abiri, decorated journalists Kiki Mordi, Harry Itie, fashion designer Adebayo Oke-lawal, CNN African Voices’ Arit Okpo and consultant Ndukwe Igbokwe.
“The mission of the prize is to open up the voices, hearts and spirits of young people across Nigeria,” says Jideonwo. “For them to embrace their true identities and accept their uniqueness without feeling suppressed, oppressed or misunderstood.”
The finalists are set to attend a one-week workshop – to be held virtually due to Covid-19, where they will be coached and mentored by a faculty of the brightest minds across media, human rights and governance.
This will be followed by the announcement of the winner in December to commemorate World Human Rights Day, where the overall winner will receive N1 million endowed by Chude Jideonwo who has been at the forefront of diversity and difference storytelling and activism across the continent.
The prize is co-presented by The Future Project and Joy, Inc.