Indomie Kicks-Off 2017 Multi Million Naira Independence Day Heroes Award

Dufil Prima Foods Plc, makers of number one instant noodles brand in Nigeria has announced the kick-off of the 10^thedition of its Multi Million naira corporate social responsibility initiative; tagged Indomie Independence Day Award (IIDA). The award is geared towards the recognition of children who have against all odds exhibited extraordinary acts of bravery in the face of danger/societal challenges.

Left: Product Manager, Indomie, Mr Onome Asagbra; Group Public Relations and Events Manager, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, Mr Tope Ashiwaju; Head of Marketing, Indomie, Mr Manpreet Singh and Managing Director, BD Consult Ltd, Mr Tola Bademosi during the 2017 Indomie Independence Day Heroes Award Press Conference in Lagos

Cross section of the press

Speaking to the newsmen at the national press conference in Lagos to kick-start the commencement of the search and call for entry for the prestigious award for deserving Nigerian children, the Group Managing Director, Dufil Prima Foods Plc. Mr. Deepak Singhalwho was represented by theHead of Marketing, Indomie, Mr. Manpreet Singh said, “This year’s edition of the award will mark the 10^thyear of the noble initiative which has affected lives of many Nigerian Child. As a way of commemorating the 10^th year edition of the award, 10 winners will be rewarded with millions of naira worth of scholarship as against the usual threewinners in previous editions. This means that, 10 winners will be awarded from the three categories of the award - Physical bravery, Social bravery and Intellectual bravery.”

In his address,Group Public Relations and Events Manager, Mr. Tope Ashiwaju pointed out that the 2017 edition which marks the 10th edition of the laudable initiative is going to be grand as the company is set to award educational scholarship worth the sum of over 10million naira to the heroes that will emerge during this year’s award ceremony.

Speaking on the Award Categories, Ashiwaju explained that the Physical Bravery category will acknowledge kids who at great personal risk, saved lives or by their actions prevent extensive damage to property or others. He added that the Social Bravery category will celebrate kids who work against social evils such as child marriage, illiteracy and environmental concerns etc. in a sustained manner while the Intellectual Bravery category will recognize children with innate ability and have performed remarkably despite physical, mental, emotional or financial limitations.

Shedding more light on the selection process, Ashiwaju expounded that the search and nomination process is largely researched based with the aim to source for heroic stories, hence the need to commission an independent research agency working on the field in select locations across the six geopolitical zones followed by the screening of the stories based on criteria which will lead to the verification of the selected stories with simulation to aid Judges selection for the finalists.

Babatimelehin Daomi, 2016 winner of the intellectual bravery category

Applauding the initiative, Barrister Daomi, father of one of the 2016 winners, Babatimeleyin Daomi expressed appreciation to Dufil Prima Foods Plc for awarding his son and said that the cash scholarship has been judiciously used for theson’s educational advancement. He further urged the Nigerian Government to encourage Dufil on this initiative to make it more distinct in the interest of the Nigerian child.

Princess Esan, the third place winner of the 012 edition

Previous winners of the award present at the press conference include: Treasure Obasi, the second place winner of the 2010 edition who is now a student of the University of Lagos and also one of Indomie campus ambassadors. Babatimelehin Daomi, the winner of the intellectual bravery category of the 2016 edition of the award and also Princess Esan, one of the 2012 edition winners.

Treasure Obasi, the second place winner of the 2010 edition

The Indomie Independence Day Award Initiative is a national event which extols the exemplary accomplishments of children who have shown courage and determination in situations that ordinarily would bring fear. The award also encourages excellence, rewards merit and stirs in other children the act of bravery.