Indomie honours Nigerian Heroes, reward them with N2.25m

IN what has become a trademark of excellence, Dufil Prima Foods, makers of Indomie Instant noodles, rolled out the drums recently to mark their annual Independence Day awards. The Indomie Independence Day Awards for Heroes of Nigeria (IIDA) is a Corporate Social Responsibility initiative of the company and the the awards which began in 2008 and is in its 8th edition is geared towards recognising children between the ages of 1 and 15 who have exhibited extraordinary acts of heroism in the face of danger.

Three children, who demonstrated outstanding courage and bravery, have been adjudged winners of the 2015 Indomie Independence Day Awards for Heroes of Nigeria. The winners were selected after a rigorous process amongst thousands of entries.

The three winners are Abbas Naifarya Ibrahim 13, Innocent Yamawo 5 and Naja Nuhu 12, who emerged first, second and third place respectively. The three winners carted home the sum of N1 million, N750,000 and N500,000 respectively.

The winners were presented with their awards at an elaborate event at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. Top government officials, captains of industries, traditional rulers, members of the diplomatic corps, celebrities as well as students graced the event.

Notable personalities that were present include Senator Gbenga Ashafa, Chief Opral Benson, Joseph Sanusi, Tolu Ogunkoya, Agatha Amata, Tunji Bamisigbin, Sunny Nneji and the president of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) Pretty Okafor, amongst a host of others.

Yemi Sodimu, who was the host of the event, kept guests suitably entertained through out the evening. Senator Gbenga Ashafa, who represents Lagos East, was so impressed by the heroics of the winners that he went on to personally donate the sums of N300,000, ₦N200,000 and N100,000 to the three winners respectively.

Kazaure, 2015 IIDA overall winner, was rewarded with N1m scholarship. Nairfaya, an indigene of Kano state, was awarded for the courage and exemplary act she performed when she alerted authorities of a suspicious object she noticed beside a mosque. Her actions and sense of responsibility saved scores of people from an imminent bomb blast.

Commenting on the award, Naifarya, who was overwhelmed by emotions, said, “I feel extremely proud of myself. I thank Dufil for finding me worthy of this award. I intend to go to the American University of Nigeria, Yola to study medicine, so I can help people”.

Innocent Yamawo, a seven-year-old boy whose story of heroism evoked compassion from the audience, was adjudged second place winner. Innocent, in a bold attempt to save his baby sister from an inferno, which engulfed their house, sustained third degree burns, which has left him partially deformed. Although he was able to bring the sister out of the inferno, she was long dead as a result of excessive smoke.

Young Innocent, who says his dream is to become a pastor, was awarded a scholarship grant worth N750,000. In addition, Dufil also announced that the company would provide funds for him to have a reconstructive surgery.

At third place is 12-year-old Naja Nuhu, whose brave heroics and courage saved her family and led to the arrest of armed robbers who had invaded their house. Naja was rewarded with a scholarship grant worth N500,000 for her show of courage in the face of grave danger.

Each winner was further gifted with the sum of N500,000 and Chief Bode Akindele also supported the Dufil’s initiative with the sum of N1m.