Indomie rewards young innovators, others
This year’s Indomie Independence Day Awards (IIDA) put a smile on the faces of 10 children who displayed physical, social and intellectual bravery.
For intellectual bravery, 13-year-old Paul David from Markurdi was honoured for inventing a radio station along with 11-year-old Emmanuel Adebisi, also from Markurdi, who exhibited various inventions; and 14-year-old Joel Clement from Kano who constructed an incubator for hatching eggs.
In the physical bravery category, 14-year old Zulka Mohammed from Adamawa State got the prize for saving a group of children from a terrorist attack; 14-year-old Ubong Akpan from Akwa Ibom State saved the life of a nursing mother; while Adejorin Oluwatobiloba, 15 years, rescued a girl from kidnappers.
For social bravery, 15-year-old Olarenwaju Oluwafemi from Ibadan used football competitions to campaign against crimes; 12-year-old John Blessing from Ogun advocated against child abuse; and eight year old Wealth John from Nasarawa saved a girl from child marriage.
Chibuoyim Nnakwe, an 11-year old who saved a mother from impending death won the award for the most outstanding bravery act for the year.
The young ones were recognised at a glamourous ceremony organised by the Dufil Prima Foods at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos last Saturday.
The number of awardees was scaled up from three to 10 in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the Corporate Social Responsibility initiative.
Delivering the keynote address, Mr. Graham Stothard, Executive Director, The Caleb Group of Schools, Lagos, described the winners as “the wealth of the nation” whose roles as children were fundamental.
“Childhood is a spring of life; the Genesis; It is the age of discovery and dreams. They have the power to transform this nation into a better place. The role of the youth in preserving Nigeria is so basic yet fundamental and crucial, because they are problem solvers who can have positive influence on other young people and potentially Nigeria,” he said.
Group Managing Director, Dufil Prima Foods, Mr Deepak Singhal, said the initiative was a source of pride to the company and a demonstration of its commitment to children’s welfare.
“As a company, we have sustained this initiative over the years owing to our commitment to continuously impacting positively on the lives of our consumers most importantly the children who represent the future.
“Now marking a decade, IIDA stands to identify and celebrate 10 great children who have displayed an unmatched physical, intellectual and social bravery in the face of hazards and unfavourable conditions, and it is all in a bid to encourage and inspire more those who would tomorrow hold various leadership positions in our dear country.
“I am extremely proud of everything we have achieved in the last 10 years with IIDA. Our CSR credentials are an important part of our company’s DNA. It is critical to who we are and what we stand for,” he said.
Also, Chief Operating Officer, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, Girish Sharma, said: “The success of IIDA’s philosophy remains true today, and is evident in the many and varied selfless effort and commitment we have taken at ensuring the success of the IIDA over the past nine years.
“By celebrating 10 winners, Nigerians can better understand the capabilities and how valuable these exceptional children mean to us.”
In her goodwill message, Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Senator Aisha Jummai Alhassan, praised Dufil Prima Foods for sustaining the IIDA for 10 years.
Other dignitaries at the event included: the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina; President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dr Nike Akande; wife of the former Lagos State governor, Dame Abimbola Fashola; Former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Femi Pedro; and wife of the Edo State governor, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki.
