GAGE awards unveil academy of Judges for 2021 edition

The GAGE awards has officially unveiled its academy of judges for the second edition themed ‘Year of the Digital Takeover’.

The GAGE awards has become a standard for recognizing and rewarding outstanding digital work on the African continent.

Industry experts have expressed excitement at the second edition based on the credibility of the process and the dire need to encourage outstanding digital innovations in the Nigerian eco system, as they believe this will facilitate innovation and growth in the African digital space.

The 2021 academy of judges boasts of a stellar cast of individuals who have a proven track record of success and achievements in their various fields of endeavor.

In a recent release by the organizers in Lagos, the convener of the GAGE Awards reeled out the names of the judges who made the list for the 2021 edition, they include; Dr Adebola Akindele, Group Managing Director, Courteville Business Solutions, a provider of information technology, consulting, and business process outsourcing services. They are the brain behind Autoreg, a digital solution that automates vehicular registration.

Others are, Chizor Malize, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Financial Institution Training Centre (FITC). She has over two decades of professional experience leading strategic and transformational projects in the financial sector.

Moritz Boullenger, Chief Executive Officer, Pulse Nigeria, who has spent five years contributing to the growth of Pulse as the leading digital company in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Nkemdilim Uwaje Begho, Chief Executive Officer, Future Software Limited, Committee Chair, Funding Framework for the Nigerian Technology Sector and Non- Executive Director Stanbic IBTC, she is a seasoned Information Technology professional with over 15 years’ experience.

Lanre Adisa, Chief Executive Officer, Noah’ s Ark, which is a creative with over 25 years’ experience in marketing communications. He is the brain behind several successful traditional and digital campaigns in Nigeria.

Mai Atafo, Chief Executive Officer, Mai Atafo Inspired, which is an inspirational Fashion designer who left the corporate world to chase a dream in the fashion industry and created a niche for bespoke fashion services in Nigeria.

Also on the list are Gil Kemami, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, BBDO MediaEdge Kenya, Modupe Adefeso-Olateju, Managing Director, The Education Partnership Centre, which is a recognized World Bank policy expert specializing in public-private partnerships in education.

Mr Uzoma Dozie, Founder/Chief Executive Officer, Sparkle, a mobile-first platform for Nigeria’s retail Banking industry, using technology to power financial inclusion. He was also the erstwhile GMD of Diamond bank.

Banke Alawaye, CTO aCubed Limited and digital transformation specialist, she has over 20years of work experience with many businesses and helping many brands make the best of digital tools.

Dr. Adeola Olubamiji, Founder STEMHub Foundation, is a Nigerian-Canadian Advanced Manufacturing Technical Advisor with Cummins Inc, Indiana. Funke Bucknor-Obruthe, Founder/CEO Zapphaire Events, is a serial entrepreneur and is regarded as Nigeria’s pioneering event planner.

Kelechi Mbah, Founding MD/CEO ServiceDesk, she is a seasoned growth strategist with 15 years of working experience in technology, telecoms, and media industries.

Mr Jason Cumming has traversed the African continent for 19 years providing local solutions with global insights to brands operating in Africa.

He has worked with many blue chip companies mainly in management roles for international brand communications networks such as IPG, WPP, Omnicom and M&C Saatchi. He currently works as an international Business Consultant, specializing in the African region.

According to the Convener of the GAGE Awards, Mr Johnson Anorh who expressed his delight said ‘ we have gone through great length to get this collection of individuals to help select the best of some of the most technical categories in this years GAGE Awards. It has been a very interesting year in the tech space, especially now that the world has learnt to depend on digital technology due to the pandemic. The GAGE Awards ‘21 is meant to set standard for digital not just in Nigeria but in Africa”.

He continued “We understand the importance of bringing on board distinguished men and woman who are not just technocrats but also passionate men and women who love the growth of the digital space in Africa. Their passion for this growth was one huge factor in their selection. We are very confident about the value of their involvement with the GAGE Awards brand and can’t wait for how the nominations and voting will play out. I think we are in for some excitement in the next few months’.