by Akintomiwa Agbaje

For 6 consecutive years, Dufil Prima foods, makers of Nigeria’s no 1 noodles brand, through its laudable corporate Social Responsibility, Indomie Independence Day Heroes Award (IIDA) has relentlessly shown utmost love and appreciation to exceptional children who have in one way or the other, made extraordinary selfless sacrifices/contributions that have been immensely impactful in the aid of others.

This noble initiative designed by the company in identifying and celebrating the unique acts of bravery of children from ages 15years and below has done well, over the years in creating a new generation of role models in following the emergence 18 IIDA awardees who other children now aspire to emulate.

In essence, the impact of the Indomie Independence Day Award initiative and the strong level of values that has since rubbed off on kids  and by extension adults alike, has been immeasurable and difficult to quantify as our the future of the society is being shaped for good in the process.

In encouraging the acts of heroism in the Nigerian child, Indomie, which is no doubt the number one noodles brand in Nigeria, with well over 70 percent brand preference by consumers seeks to make a lasting impact with this initiative recognizing and celebrating the “acts of heroism” in the Nigerian child, with ample hope that in the nearest future, the celebrated kids, will do well to greatly improve the fortunes of Nigeria immensely.

Since the inception of the Indomie Independence Day Awards (IIDA) in 2008, it has since witnessed the emergence of 18 heroes who exhibited exceptional acts of bravery & leadership worthy of celebrating. Who have all benefited with the rewarded of monetary scholarship worth of N1, 000,000(1^st prize), N750,000 (2^nd prize) & N500,000 (3^rd prize)

As the 7^th edition which is slated to take place this October is around the corner, one might then ask how these heroes come about, how are they selected, and on what basis you might ask?

Stipulated criteria have been put it place as a guide in selecting the awardees. Children within the ages of 15 years and below, have risked their lives to save others, demonstrated exceptional courage, leadership traits and skills, surely stand a great a chance.

In the 2^nd quarter of the year, an Independent research team is contracted to comb the nooks and crannies of the country in search of stories of exceptional acts of bravery/ heroism, unique inspirational/ leadership skills exhibited by children within the age bracket, and stories of youngsters who have struggled to survive amidst societal challenges.

Eventually, credible panel of judges selected from all walks of life, thereby sit to deliberated on the collated stories to determine the 3 awardees that best meet the set criteria. Who will eventually be specially invited& hosted at the award ceremony along with guardians.

Looking back at the remarkable strides Dufil Prima Foods has made so far, in impacting lives through the annual award, the first edition in 2008 produced a first prize winner, 14 year old Khalil Bala from Kano State who succeeded in saving a little girl at the expense of his life by jumping into a burning, but never got lucky himself as he suffered a third degree burn.

Another courageous act was rewarded in the second edition in 2009 which saw 15year old Terkimbir Chia from Benue State presented with the first prize Award for rescuing 5 passengers alive out of the 18 passengers on board the ill fated military aircraft in 2006. Same year, 15 years old Chukwudi Ibobo was also presented the 3rd place prize for his ability to produce prototypes or toy vehicles, such as sports cars, trucks of different sizes, helicopters, caterpillars and robots of different sizes.

14 year old Mariam Umar from Gombe who was born physically challenged without arms emerged first in 2010 edition. She beat the odds of physical deformity by improvising with her feet to do everything possible that others do with their hands. So impressed were the audience that Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora presented her with additional N 1,000,000.

Ajila Wehbe, the second prize winner in the 2011 edition acted as midwife in the delivery of a baby in the middle of the night at the absence of a doctor or midwife.

Once again, preparations are now in top gear, for the 7th edition of the prestigious award, which commenced recently with the search and call for entries of deserving Nigerian heroic children.

The announcement was made by the Head of Marketing, Dufil Prima Foods, Manpreet Singh, at the national Press conference held at Silverbird Galleria, Victoria Island, after taking media correspondents through a 15minutes documentary as has always been the tradition, at the cinema.

According to Singh, ““Our motivation rests firmly on the fact that a lot of kids out there do the extraordinary day by day, yet these wonderful selfless acts go uncelebrated, that is why Dufil has resolved that every year the company would not relent in its search across the nation to reward children who have exhibited unique and notable acts of bravery/ heroism, worthy of celebration”.

Also speaking at the press conference, the Public Relations and Events Manager, Dufil Prima Foods, Mr. Tope Ashiwaju stated that the last six editions of the award have been immensely successful, attracting strong commendations from various quarters across the nation. Indomie believes that in every child lies what it takes to become great, however, many brave children today live an extraordinary life without ever being recognized or celebrated”.

Spurred by this fact and the remarkable successes coupled with the lives we have touched, who have continued to be role models to other kids, Dufil is now more than motivated to make this 7th edition which is a unique number, an even more memorable one for all”.

“Indomie Independence Day Award for heroic children of Nigeria has so far recorded huge success in the last six editions producing a total of 18 winners in all who have been rewarded with scholarship prizes ranging from N1,000,000 , N750,000 and 500,000 for the first, second and third winners respectively.

For more information/ to send in entries visit: www.heroesofnigeria.com, email- nominations@heroesofnigeria .com or call 08142688780 or 07013104636

 

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