Child-Heroes Rewarded For Bravery
Winners of the Indomie Independence Day Award (IIDA) have been rewarded with multi-million naira scholarships.
Joshua Agboola (12) from Lagos won the Intellectual Bravery category for developing an app which helps physically-challenged students learn better. The app reads out topics at the click of a button. He started coding at six years, and has built capacity in the use of HTML, CSS, Javascript, Jquery, Bootstrap, Java, Python, C++, C#, PHP, Laravel, Love 2D and Unity.
Elijah Emenka (11) from Akwa Ibom State was adjudged winner of the Physical Bravery category for sustaining bodily injury while trying to get his sister’s inhaler. His left eye was cut by a louver blade and he is today partially blind.
Favour Sunday (14), from Lagos State, won the Social Bravery category because she decided to positively transform lives by dedicating her time to teaching children in her community. She believes that if children in her community have access to early childhood education, they would have a solid foundation to build on.
IIDA is a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative of Dufil Prima Foods, makers of Indomie Instant Noodles. The award, which began in 2008, is to recognise and celebrate children, below 15 years, who have exhibited extraordinary acts of heroism in the face of danger or societal challenges. The initiative has benefited 42 child-heroes since inception.
Chief Executive Officer of Dufil Prima Foods, Adhi Narto, in his welcome address, said: “IIDA reflects the importance and belief of our company in the extraordinary qualities of the Nigerian child, which must never be ignored, but rather celebrated and rewarded. This is in consonance with our core values and deep-rooted belief that in every child lies the seed of greatness; a belief that the child- heroes we are celebrating have reinforced once again, having pushed the limits of courage and performance to a new level.
“As a brand, we feel the need to celebrate our unsung heroes – Nigerian children – who are doing the extraordinary without being celebrated.”
Frontline workers – Dr Iorhen Akase, a Consultant of Infectious Diseases and Head of the Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Medicine, and the Isolation Ward at the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Idi-Araba, Lagos, and Mrs Rachel Awolumate, a registered nurse in the Infectious Disease Unit of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), were rewarded for their contribution towards the fight against COVID-19.
Mrs. Olajumoke Otitoloju of Iyaniwura Children Care Foundation was also rewarded with N1 million for her services as an advocate for the rights of children, especially children with disabilities
Late legendary musician Olanrewaju Fasasi (Sound Sultan) was also recognised post-humously and awarded N1 million.
– The Nation
