Nominations are being accepted for the Bermuda Junior Chamber's 1995 Outstanding Young Person of Bermuda awards.

The two eventual winners, who are to be honoured at an awards banquet and ceremony at the Princess Hotel on May 20, will automatically be eligible for the worldwide Outstanding Young Person prize of the Junior Chamber International.

That award, which is open to recipients from the business and service organisation's more than 100 member groups around the globe, will be presented at the JCI's world congress in Glasgow in November.

"All of the winners will be invited to come to Scotland,'' JCI president David Oji said during a whirlwind visit to Bermuda last week to launch this year's awards.

Mr. Oji, a Tokyo-born businessman who lives in Yokohama and was elected to the JCI's presidency at its congress last November in Kobe, has been travelling the globe since he officially assumed his post on January 1 in an effort to keep up with the activities of international members and spread his message of good will.

"President Oji's ambitious goal is to lead JCI toward the future by setting a course of action one step ahead of other service and professional organisations,'' a JCI statement said during his visit, adding that "he has pledged this in these key areas of global citizenship: protecting the environment, promoting the global economy and business growth and -- (the president's) primary focus -- the advancement of the future of children by providing them with the tools to prosper.'' During Mr. Oji's travels -- he estimated he would be spending more than 300 days of 1995 on the road -- the 40-year-old president will meet with Junior Chamber members, heads of state and community leaders on six continents.

While in Bermuda -- it was the president's first visit to the Island -- Mr.

Oji paid a courtesy call on Youth, Sport and Recreation Minister the Hon.

Pamela Gordon and Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan.

The Premier, Mr. Oji pointed out, has long been and remains a strong supporter of the JCs.

"I had a very interesting meeting with Sir John,'' Mr. Oji told The Royal Gazette . "He is a past Junior Chamber member.'' Added local JC president Linda Simons, who hosted Mr. Oji in Bermuda: "He (the Premier) is a JC senator, one of the highest standings a person can attain as a member of the Junior Chamber. And in fact, he said that the Junior Chamber provided him with the guidance and foundation that he needed when he came back from university. It provided him with his leadership skills.'' In many ways, Mr. Oji told The Royal Gazette , the need among today's young people for a group like the JC -- the largest international organisation for that sector in the world -- has never been greater.

Pointing to the Japanese religious sect that is suspected of staging the recent deadly gas attack in the Tokyo subway system, Mr. Oji said that many of today's youth are susceptible to all sorts of social manipulation, and can only benefit from an organisation that stresses independent thinking, intelligent experience and active membership in the global community.

"There's a real confusion in many of today's societies,'' the president said.

"And JC, which is open to members aged 18 to 40, provides a very healthy environment for young people.'' Indeed, the track record of the organisation, which works closely with the United Nations and especially its youth and culture wings, UNICEF and UNESCO respectively, generally speaks for itself.

In Bermuda, past winners of the Outstanding Young Person award that have gone on to assume prominent leadership roles in the community, Ms Simons said, include businesswoman Valerie Young and Shadow Health and Social Services Minister Nelson Bascome.

This year, the five-member panel of judges who will choose award recipients is to consist of Ms Young, Deputy Opposition Leader Ms Jennifer Smith, author and Dellwood Primary School principal Mr. Dale Butler, tourism official Mr. Randy Horton and Four Star Pizza owner Mr. Maurico Thomas.

The closing date for nominations -- which can be tendered in a variety of fields, including business, academics, culture and technology -- is May 8.

Nomination forms have been circulated throughout the Island, and can be dropped off by interested parties in ballot boxes at the Bank of Bermuda's head office, the Bank of Butterfield's headquarters and post offices in Hamilton, St. George's and Somerset.

"Five finalists will be chosen in total,'' Ms Simons said of the judging process. "All will be honoured at the awards dinner, though only two will be selected as OYPs.'' Unfortunately, President Oji added, he will not be able to be on hand when the awards are handed out.

After his interview with The Gazette , he was off to the Airport to embark on a three-day visit to Junior Chamber world headquarters in Miami and a one-month tour of JCs in South America.

ON THE ROAD -- Elected at the organisation's world congress in Kobe last November, Junior Chamber International president Mr. David Oji will spend more than 300 days of 1995 outside of his native Japan.