3 Finalists For Indomie Awards

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As the countdown to the 2013 Indomie Independence Day Award (IIDA) for Heroes of Nigeria draws near, three finalists have emerged following a judges’ seating which held in Lagos recently.
The final three stories were picked after a thorough brainstorming session, which saw a select panel of Judges whose roles were to pick three finalists in the first, second and third categories, deliberate on stories totalling over 100 after which the eventual identified stories that came tops after the session will be made public on October 5, 2013.
Judges who sat for this year’s heroes of Nigeria award selection are: Mr. Martin Ayankola, Editor, Punch Newspapers; Professor Kabiru Akinyemi, Dean of student Affairs, Lagos State University; Mr. Graham Stothhard, Principal, Lagos Preparatory School; Mrs. Laja Adedoyin, Founder, Heart of Gold Children Hospice; Mr. Kunle Soriyan, Managing Director, ST Consulting and Mr. Bimbo Manuel, a renowned actor.
After the selection process, Ayankola remarked that: “I am indeed pleased to be a part of this year’s IIDA 2013 judges seating, and my reasons are not far- fetched. I am yet to see one Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative this unique with a deep attachment towards children.
“Initiatives like this should be encouraged as it would indeed go a long way towards shaping our children who are tomorrow’s leaders positively for the good of our country Nigeria. If more organizations toe the line of Dufil; it will do a lot in helping us as a nation nip social vices like cultism, rape, armed robbery e.t.c. plaguing the nation in the bud.”
In his remarks, Stothard noted that “I have been a member of this group of Judges seating for years now because it is a laudable initiative that has continued to impact the lives of children positively. The award, which eulogizes the exemplary accomplishments of children who are young but mature and have shown extraordinary courage and determination in situations that ordinarily would inspire fear, discouragement and self pity, has a strong way of inspiring and ultimately influencing a child in his or her formative stage for good”.
For Mr. Tope Asiwaju, Public Relations Manager, Dufil Prima Foods, who was visibly satisfied at the outcome, “The judges seating which is a fundamental aspect of the award and a gathering of esteemed personalities in the society identifies would-be heroes who have done well to distinguish themselves in various exceptional acts of bravery and heroism, and comes up every year just before the main event itself on October 5.”
He explained that the judges’ responsibilities included carefully going through the entries totaling 100, brought forward by the special search team designated to comb the states for unique stories after which the most outstanding three were set aside to be announced on the award day proper.
“In order to ensure better quality stories for this year’s award, which is the sixth edition of the prestigious initiative, the company has once again carefully partnered these esteemed thoroughbred individuals to help us in picking befitting heroes for this year’s award,” explained Asiwaju.
He further noted that the last five editions of the award had been tremendous and attracted commendations to the brand and the company by well-meaning individuals and corporate organizations.
According to him, the 2013 Award promises to be bigger as the search team left no stone unturned in combing 10 to 15 states of the country to accumulate the stories of potential new heroes that will be rewarded for their various acts of bravery.
“As a brand with children as our primary consumers, we believe that in every child lies what it takes to be great. However, many brave children today live extraordinary lives without ever being recognised or celebrated. We have responded to the call by many to recognise and celebrate the acts of bravery and heroism exhibited by Nigerian children. Not only the cosmopolitan and sophisticated but also those who live in obscurity, lack and insecurity,” he concluded.

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