By Patrick Onuoha
No fewer than 229 stories were received for this year’s edition of the Indomie Independence Day Award (IIDA). The heroic stories were recorded from States across the six geo-political zones of Nigeria.
A breakdown of the stories gathered revealed that majority of the stories came from the South East geo-political zone with 55 entries; followed by the South-West (53 stories), South-South (50 stories), North West (30 stories), North East (29 stories), while the North Central has the least entries with a total of 12 heroic stories.
Speaking on the concluded nationwide search exercise/call-for-entry, the Brand Manager, Indomie Instant noodles, Mr. Amber Yadav, stated that the progress report which the brand has received from the search team right from the commencement of the search which kicked off three months ago has once again proved that Nigerian kids across several parts of this great nation exhibit several outstanding and heroic acts on a daily basis which should be rewarded.
“So far we have received 229 entries through our search team that has been on the field for about 3 months and through other dedicated means of entry. I can guarantee everyone that from what we got this year,several great acts which should neither go unannounced nor unrewarded are exhibited by several kids on a daily basis; and as a firm, our duty through the IIDA is to not only search for these kids, but also appreciate their effort, and reward them for their ingenuity.” Yadav said.
While commending the search team for a job well done, the Group Public Relations and Events Manager, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, Mr. Tope Ashiwaju expressed delight at the heroic kids that have once again been discovered. He said “This year’s edition of the IIDA which is the 9th in a roll, promises to be the best so far, as the quality of entries received no doubt shows that Dufil Prima Foods was on track when it kicked-off the IIDA 9years ago.”
Emphasizing on the importance of the search exercise, Ashiwaju said “The main objective of the search is to collect true stories and experiences across different locations about kids who at one time or the other have performed any act of bravery, as well as, seek out thoroughly and check for cited events, persons and places for the acts of bravery in order to get deserving individuals (children) for the award. Also, to verify and authenticate the stories by asking neighbors, teachers and friends’ basic questions about the child concerned.”
On the essence of the award, Ashiwaju 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 challenges and limitations of the society.”
He noted that this year’s edition have been reformed to fit the newly created three categories – physical bravery, social bravery and Intellectual bravery so as to reward more kids. Hence, three winners will be going home with 1million naira worth of scholarship each in the 2016 award.
It could be recalled that the Indomie Independence Day Award for Heroes of Nigeria has so far produced a total of 24 winners in the last eight years whom were rewarded with scholarship prizes worth several millions of naira. The 2016 edition of the award is supported by DAAR Communications