Indomie strengthens consumer bond, rewards IIDA winners
In fulfilment of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative towards children, Dufil Prima Foods plc, maker of Indomie Instant Noodles, has rewarded three winners of this year’s Indomie Independence Day Awards (IIDA) with cash prizes worth N2.25 million.
The winners, who performed different acts of heroism, were Divine Toruemi from Port Harcourt, who won the first prize of N1 million, followed by Muhammed Kenubu, a seven-year old boy from Kano, who won N750,000. The third prize went to David Adekunle who won N500,000.
Explaining the rationale behind the yearly event at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos venue of the event, Haresh Aswani, chairman, Dufil Prima Foods, said it 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 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.
Aswani, who said the CSR initiative was key because it had encouraged children to aspire to greater heights over the past five years, added that the winners deserved celebration for scaling the strict standards of a panel of judges to emerge the Indomie Independence Day Heroes for 2013.
Guests were treated to comic sessions and live performances, as well as a documentary tagged ‘IIDA: The Journey So Far’ presented by the Dufil Prima CEO, Deepak Singhal, who assured that the company would always celebrate children who serve as change agents in their respective communities.
“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,” said human rights activist, Joe Odumakin, in her keynote address tagged ‘Children as Agents of National Transformation’ at the event.
By: Shalom Oshindele