Dufil
Prima Foods Plc, makers of Indomie Instant Noodles, in fulfillment of its
renowned Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative for children, over
the weekend unveiled and rewarded three lucky winners who emerged at the 2014 Indomie
Independence Day Awards (IIDA) with N6
million scholarship.
The grand
event which witnessed a large turnout of dignitaries, saw some renowned
personalities namely; Group Managing Director, First Bank, Bisi Onasanya,
Senator Gbenga Ashafa, Chief Bode Akindele, Chairman Masandola group, their weight behind Indomie with similar
support, donating N2.25million, N500,000, and N1million, respectively in their
personal capacity.
With the emergence
of this year’s set of winners, a total of 21 winners have now been rewarded
over the 7 year period.
While
giving his welcome address, the Group Managing Director, Dufil Prima Foods, Mr Deepak
Singhal, said the seventh edition of the
landmark event which coincides with the 2014 International Day of the
Girl Child is targeted at identifying,
recognising and rewarding children, who have done well in distinguishing
themselves by carrying out exemplary heroic acts that have touched the lives of
others positively.
“This
event is noteworthy as it seeks to fill the gap that
exists in celebrating and rewarding the positive efforts, strong character, and
achievements of many young children who have exhibited various acts of courage
and heroism at one time or the other within the country”.
According
to Singhal, Dufil Prima Foods identified this gap in 2008
and decided to take up the challenge by not only recognizing these young
heroes, but also providing scholarship opportunities for these children whose
actions have touched lives in their immediate communities and beyond,”.
Singhal
continued saying, the success of
this event over the past 7 years, proves that it is indeed a landmark Corporate
Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative needed for the developmental growth of
the Nigerian child.
He added
that the winners indeed deserve to be celebrated for scaling the strict
standards of the panel of judges who followed laid down guidelines as has
always been the norm since the inception of the awards.
Before
the stories crossed the major hurdles to be deliberated on by the judges, they were
verified by the research team after which
eyewitnesses were interviewed to ascertain the authenticity of the stories.
While delivering the keynote address at the event, Mrs. Olufunto
Igun the Executive Director Corona Schools Trust Council Said “The
future of any nation or entity lies heavily on the children, whatever legacy we
pass on, whether good or bad could make or mar us as a nation. We therefore must rise up to our responsibility as parents,
guardians, school, and government to ensure that the right values are
inculcated in the children.”
Addressing
the winners as “the salvation for the nation’s future and the economy,” she
charged more organizations to toe the line of Dufil Prima Foods by also
contributing efforts similar to this, which is bound to ensure a more secure
and blissful future for our kids.
This winners of this year which happens to be the 7th
edition are 15year old Aniema Udokang from Cross River, helped save an accident
victim on IBB way in Calabar; 14year old Semiya Modashiru helped save the lives
of one baby by apprehending and confronting a kidnapper at a bus garage in
Ogijo while 10 yrs old Bassey Itam helped a boy bitten by a snake.
The winners in the first, second and third categories went home with
N2,590,000, N1, 980,000, N1, 430, 000 worth of scholarship respectively.
The Public Relations & Event
Manager, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, Mr. Tope Ashiwaju congratulated the winners of
this year’s IIDA awards and reiterated the company’s commitment to the
developmental growth of the Nigerian child.
Ashiwaju further said having come this
far with many success stories since inception as it relates to the children
that have emerged winners, I make bold to say that the editions to come will be
more memorable than the previous ones.
This
year’s edition which is the 7th edition had in attendance the Executive
Governor of Lagos State, who was ably represented by Mr. Wale Raji, First
Ladies, Captains of Industries, Government Functionaries, the crème de la crème of the society and people from all works of life.
Post a Comment