IIDA 2019: Organisers receive over 500 bravery stories from children

The nationwide search and call for entries for the 2019 edition of the Indomie Independence Day Award (IIDA) has finally come to an end, with over 500 inspiring and heroic stories received from different states and locations across the six geo-political zones of the country.

IIDA is a national award event that identifies, celebrates and rewards the exemplary accomplishments of children who have shown courage and determination in situations that ordinarily would bring fear to anyone. The award also encourages excellence and diligence in children.

A breakdown of the stories gathered revealed that majority of the stories came from the field search exercise with 403 entries. The Southwest geo-political zone had 99 entries, followed by the North-West (85 stories), South-East (77 stories), South-South (74 stories), North central (68 stories) while the online and social media platforms matched with 102 entries, totalling 505 inspiring stories.

Speaking on the exercise, Group Public Relations and Events Manager, Dufil Prima Foods, Tope Ashiwaju, stated that the progress report, which the brand has received from the search team, has once again proven that children across this great nation exhibit several outstanding acts on a daily basis.

“I can guarantee everyone that from the entries we got this year, we came across several stirring, inspiring and altruistic acts exhibited by these children. As a company, our duty through the IIDA is not only to search out these kids but also to appreciate their effort and reward them for their ingenuity,” he said.

Appreciating the search agencies, Mark Analytics and Research Services Ltd and BanahGrace Research Agency and also the project management agency, BD Consult for a job well done, Indomie Brand Manager, Nikhil Das expressed delight at the heroic kids that have once again been discovered. Ashiwaju went on to add that “This year’s edition of the IIDA which is the 12th in a row promises to be the best so far, as the quality of entries received no doubt shows that we are on to something when we kicked-off the IIDA 12 years ago.”

Emphasizing the importance of the search exercise, Das said “The main objective of the search is to collect true and reliable experiences across different locations about children who at one time or the other have performed selfless acts of bravery, combing thoroughly for cited events in order to get deserving children for the award. The search process also includes authentication of identified stories through a thorough verification of witnesses, neighbours, teachers and all primary parties associated with the acts.’’

Speaking on the essence of the award, Das said “IIDA is a platform designed to identify, celebrate and also reward Nigerian kids who at one point or the other have shown exemplary courage in difficult situations, saved lives, stood against societal limitations and displayed ingenious brilliance.”

The award has so far produced a total of 40 winners in the last 11 years who were rewarded with scholarship prizes worth several millions of Naira in three categories of physical bravery, social bravery and intellectual bravery. This year, three winners will each be going home with N1 million worth of scholarships and other gift items.