16-year-old Ammar Habibu, a pioneering hydrogen gas cooker innovator, was among the recipients of awards at the third edition of the Arewa 30 Under 30 Stars Award (ASA) held at the Tahir Guest Palace in Kano.
The event was organized by Arewa Agenda, a subsidiary of Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR) which publishes PRNigeria and Economic Confidential, in collaboration with Daily Nigerian.
Jury Chairman, Mr. Sanusi Bature revealed that 457 nominations were received from the 19 Northern states. The diverse demographics included secondary school students, university undergraduates, career professionals, and social entrepreneurs.
“The selection process was competitive. Initially, three nominees were shortlisted for each of the 30 categories, totaling 90 candidates in the first round. Based on their drive and impact, the judges then selected the ultimate winner in each category,” he said.
On the panel of judges were an academic, Dr. Auwal Khalil, development filmmaker Ameen M. Auwal, leadership coach Amina Ibrahim Idris, journalist Aisha Lawal and public relations expert Adnan Mukhtar Adam.
Umar Audu, whose investigative work exposed fake certificate syndicates in Cotonou, Benin Republic, won the Media Category; Lawan Bukar Maigana won the Humanitarian Award for relief efforts during the Maiduguri flooding disaster; Auwal Dankode won the Honesty and Integrity Award for returning a missing $10,000.
Saidu Abdurrahman won the Excellence in Photography Award for achieving a Guinness World Record; Mohammed Idris won the Engineering Award for innovative contributions to electric motorcycles; Muhammad Bello Buhari was awarded for social activism; Auwal Adam Sansan was named Social Media Influencer of the Year.
The Youth Society for the Prevention of Social Vices and Infectious Diseases (YOSPIS) was recognized for its peace and youth development initiatives; Amb. Adesuwa Udo, President of EL’s Empowerment Foundation, was honored for her developmental efforts across Northern Nigeria.
Other awardees: Hafsat Gambo Lawan (Entrepreneurship); Umar Aminu Umar (Education); Ali Ibrahim Musa (Agriculture); Fatima Shehu Kafanchan (Hospitality); Umar Sanusi Garba (Legal); Dr. Sharu Rabiu Ahlan (Youth Development); MGK Healthcare (Health Impact) and Dala Foods (Excellence in Service).
In a presentation titled “Artificial Intelligence and Sustainable Development,” Dr. Musa Sufi emphasized the potential of AI across various fields, such as medicine and education, while calling for localized research to address challenges associated with its application.
In his remarks, IMPR CEO/Editor-in-Chief of PRNigeria, Yushau Shuaib, articulated the purpose of the event: “This gathering is to honor young talents from Northern Nigeria who are making significant contributions in their respective fields.”
ASA convener, Mohammed Dahiru Lawal, highlighted the significance of recognizing individuals and organizations that exemplify dedication, innovation, and excellence. “Today, we celebrate their remarkable achievements and unwavering commitment to making a difference,” he said.
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