Indomie CSR evokes emotions, 2015 Heroes edition not exception
In the last seven years, the Indomie Independence Day Award for heroes, a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative of Dufil Prima Foods Plc, makers of Indomie noodles designed to reward brave children has always evoked emotions in the guests at the yearly ceremony and the 2015 edition was not an exception.
Each year, when the three finalists are called and the staged video of their brave event is played, visitors at the event always display emotional feelings in wonder that such kids could brace up to such unsolicited tasks without fear.
The feelings were not different in the 2015 edition held at Federal Palace Hotels last weekend when 13 year old Abbas Nafarya Ibrahim who averted a disaster and saved Muslims from bomb planted within a mosque premises by a woman that she saw earlier within the mosque. Nafarya was awarded first position for her courage.
Seven year old Innocent Yamawo who got second position for his bravery in trying to rescue his younger sister from fire and got himself burnt but his sister did not survive the fire. Innocent with burnt scars last week lost his father. Najah Nuhu Al-Masih got the third position for her boldness to confront robbers and prevented robbery.
While Nafarya got N1m for her courage, Innocent and Nuhu received N750,000 and N500,000 schorlarships respectively for their heroism.
That is not all. Gbenga Ashafa, member of National Assembly who was touched by their acts and bravery rewarded Nafarya with N300,000, Innocent with N200,000 and Nuhu with N100,000. Further touched by Innocent scares, Dufil Prima foods promised to take care of him.
Nafarya, 13, said her recognition by Dufil Prima Foods Plc was an encouragement to always go the extra mile for others. “If I hadn’t done what I did that day by being observant, I probably wouldn’t be here for this award. My message to children out there is to help save lives whenever they can. I’d like to say a big thank you to Dufil Prima Foods for this scholarship prize which will be very helpful to me and my family,” she said.
Speaking at the event, Group Managing Director, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, Deepak Singhal said the Heroes award was targeted at identifying and rewarding children whose heroic acts touched lives but were often ignored due to their age.
“This event is significant because it is rooted in the recognition of those whose best efforts are very often overlooked by the society. On a daily basis, our beloved Nigerian children perform thousands of heroic acts at great personal risk to themselves.
In his comment, the Public Relations Manager Dufil, Tope Ashiwaju said this CSR initiative was key because it had encouraged children to aspire to greater heights over the past eight years, adding that the winners deserved celebration for scaling the strict standards of a panel of judges to emerge the Indomie Independence Day Heroes for 2015.
According to him, “In 2008, we decided to take up the challenge by not only recognising these young heroes, but also providing them scholarship opportunities since their actions have touched lives in their immediate communities and beyond,” he noted.
Ashiwaju assured that the company would always celebrate children who serve as change agents in their respective communities.
In her address, Founder, LEAP Foundation, Ndidi Nwuneli said, “I would like to commend Dufil Prima Foods Plc for rekindling the hope of the Nigerian child with this enviable initiative which rewards unique acts of bravery and heroism in our children, thereby inspiring them to aspire to greater heights.”
According to her, “The future of every nation is dependent on the youth, many of whom are children. Hence, it is pertinent for a nation that wants to grow to make conscious efforts to provide a better future for them as the nation’s destiny lies in their hands and this is the challenge Dufil put upon them.”
Daniel Obi