YNaija.com today is launching a new column called NEXT.

It continues in its tradition of presenting the best and most impactful voices from young Nigeria.

“In this case, we decided to be just a little bit cheeky,” says Isime Esene, managing editor of Y!/YNaija.com. “The millennial set is typically those born after 1980. But we think for the Nigerian experience, there are two distinct realities within that broad global bloc.

“Our New Voices project, launched last week, spotlights a more composite sampling of the spectrum. But NEXT focuses on the younger end of that spectrum, young Nigerians under the age of 24. We think this is a deeply important voice that is underserved and under-heard and whose narratives (mostly towards the dying years of military rule in Nigeria) must be heard, consistently. We call them the ‘authentic millennials’.”

The media age of our NEXT shelf of columnists is 20 – and all are undergraduate Nigerian students from across the world. Their voices are strong, their perspectives are unflinching; their insights are fresh.

These are the writers:

Tamilore Oladipo: Tamilore is a Mass Communication student at Pan-Atlantic University with interests in blogging, digital marketing and music.

Isoken Aruede: Isoken is an undergraduate of the Pan-Atlantic University; currently studying for a degree in Media & Communication. She has always been interested in creative writing and from the age of 6, and has written a vast number of poems, public speeches, newspaper articles, and short stories. She won the 2013 National Essay Competition organised by the YSCC (Youth Support Counseling Consult) along with the opportunity to tour the U.K upon her victory.

Eyiamoni Apeji: Eyiamoni is a 19 year old student of Media and Communication in her 3rd year at Pan Atlantic University. She is a creative writer and poet, and was the editor (and features writer) of her College Magazine (Atlantic Noise) in June 2016. She has an interest in advertising and marketing and has recently completed an internship programme with the Digital Marketing Agency, Sponge Limited.

Nene Henshaw: Nene is an avid learner with a very active imagination, who has a hunger for new knowledge and creativity. She is a fast, innovative and flexible writer. Nene is also a resilient worker who does not to give up until the task is completed. She thrives well under stressful situations, is able to interact and is open to as many views as possible. Nene is conversational in English, Efik, Igbo and Yoruba.

Osasogie Omoigui: Osagie enjoys copywriting and content marketing. She has keen interest in writing Fashion and Lifestyle topics.

 

Their columns will be published twice a month, starting today. To join them are two other NEXT wildcard writers who will be unveiled on Friday.

– To join the series in January, 2017, please send your profile with date of birth and articles you have written to [email protected] titled NEXT columnist. Five new voices will be selected.

Isime Esene