Sixteen-year-old Ammar Habibu, a pioneering hydrogen gas cooker innovator, was among the esteemed recipients at the third edition of the Arewa 30 Under 30 Stars Award (ASA).
The ceremony, held in Kano, was organised by Arewa Agenda, a subsidiary of Image Merchants Promotion Limited, publishers of PRNigeria and Economic Confidential, in collaboration with Daily Nigerian.
Mallam Sanusi Bature, Chairman of the Award Jury revealed that 457 nominations were received from across the 19 Northern states, representing a diverse range of demographics, including secondary school students, university undergraduates, career professionals, and social entrepreneurs.
“The selection process was both competitive and rigorous,” Bature noted. “Initially, three nominees were shortlisted for each of the 30 categories, totaling 90 candidates in the first round. Based on their drive and impact, our judges then selected the ultimate winner in each category.”
The panel of judges featured an array of professionals, including development filmmaker Ameen M. Auwal, leadership coach Amina Ibrahim Idris, journalist Aisha Lawal, and academic and public relations expert Adnan Mukhtar Adam.
Among the notable awardees was Umar Audu, a journalist acclaimed for his investigative work exposing fake certificate racketeering syndicates in Cotonou, Benin Republic, who won in the Media Category.
Lawan Bukar Maigana earned the Humanitarian Award for his relief efforts during the flood disaster in Maiduguri, while Auwal Dankode captured the Honesty and Integrity Award after returning a missing $10,000.
Saidu Abdurrahman received the Excellence in Photography Award for achieving a Guinness World Record, and Mohammed Idris was honored with the Engineering Award for his innovative contributions to electric motorcycles.
Other winners included Muhammad Bello Buhari, recognized for his social activism across the continent; Auwal Adam Sansan, named Social Media Influencer of the Year for mobilizing citizens; and the Youth Society for the Prevention of Social Vices and Infectious Diseases (YOSPIS), awarded for its leadership in peace and youth development initiatives.
Ambassador Adesuwa Udo, President of El’s Empowerment Foundation, was also honored for her commitment to development across Northern Nigeria.
The awardees spanning various sectors, included Hafsat Gambo Lawan, Entrepreneurship; Umar Aminu Umar, Education; Ali Ibrahim Musa, Agriculture; Fatima Shehu Kafanchan, Hospitality; and Umar Sanusi Garba, Legal.
Honorary awards were also presented to several distinguished individuals and organizations, including Dr. Sharu Rabiu Ahlan for Youth Development, MGK Healthcare for Health Impact, and Dala Foods for Excellence in service.
In a thought-provoking 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 localised research to address challenges associated with its application.
Alhaji Yushau Shuaib, CEO of IMPR and Editor-in-Chief of PRNigeria, said the event was to honor young talents from Northern Nigeria making significant contributions in their respective fields.
The convener of the award, Mohammed Dahiru Lawal, expressed gratitude to the attendees, highlighting the significance of recognising individuals and organisations that exemplify dedication, innovation, and excellence.
“Today, we celebrate their remarkable achievements and unwavering commitment to making a difference.”
The Arewa Stars Awards serves not only as a platform for recognition but also as an inspiration for aspiring young leaders across Northern Nigeria.
PRNigeria
