After breaking new ground with our 1st exciting edition and getting rave reviews from the public, the team behind Y! magazine have gone all out in this second edition – setting a brand new standard!

The second edition is a line-up of Nigeria’s biggest stars and role models not just featured, but also as writers. “This is the first time this has ever been done in Nigeria. It’s a truly historic edition!” says associate editor, Jade Osiberu.

The 2nd edition is a Special Collector’s Item celebrating young people for Nigeria@50! For this Commemorative Edition, we have selected 50 of the most influential young Nigerians under 35, who have had had the most sustained impact and are most relevant in the moment as role models.

Working with the model of Time magazine’s Most Influential 100 – this edition got highly distinguished role models in the Nigerian public to write a short essay about these young leaders.

The roll call of essayists for this special cover: Obiageli Ezekwesili, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Prof. Pat Utomi, Audu Ogbeh, Nkoyo Toyo, Betty Irabor, Adesuwa Onyenokwe, Mo Abudu, Ndidi Nwuneli, Toyin Subair, Obi Asika, Fela Durotoye, 2face Idibia, Dare Art-Alade, Ohimai Atafo, ‘Gbenga Sesan, Dayo D-One Adeneye, Charly Boy, Ebuka-Obi Uchendu, Lara Geoge, Timi Dakolo, Sasha, Yinka Davies, amongst many other exciting names. Non-Nigerians who write for this issue include Indiasho, whose work has shown at the New York Fashion Week amongst others.

“We are so excited about what we managed to achieve! We are keeping our promise that every edition of the magazine is beyond just a magazine; it is a media event,” says the managing editor, Adebola Williams. “That is why this took us more than three months to put together – I mean; getting an article out of the busy Managing Director of the World Bank is a full time job! Because we say to ourselves, every edition must push the envelope, must capture the new spirit of setting new standards. Every edition must capture the essence of the times that we are in and must drive the popular dialogue.”

The special edition will be launched on September 30 as part of the launch of The Future Awards Season 6 (Y! is the official media partner), tagged #TheAuthenticCelebration and the full list of the 50 selected will be unveiled at the event.

“Innovators and pioneers, thinkers and speakers, scientists and engineers, entrepreneurs and professionals, artists and entertainers,” says Osiberu. “It’s a fine crop of Nigeria’s new establishment showing us what it truly means to be a young Nigerian and we can’t wait to unveil them!”

The magazine will not be available to the general public until Wednesday, October 6 2010. It will be available across the country, and in Lagos will be available at the Silverbird Lifestyle Stores, The Hub, Terra Kulture and others.

For information on where to buy Y! and how to be a Gold Subscriber, well it’s on this site – the one stop centre for all things Y!

Oluwapelumi