In fulfilment of its renowned Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative towards children, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, makers of Indomie Instant Noodles has unveiled three lucky winners for this year’s Indomie Independence Day Awards (IIDA) and rewarded them with cash prizes worth N2.25 million.
Mr Haresh Aswani, Chairman, Dufil Prima Foods during the presentation of the awards in Lagos said it was targeted at identifying and rewarding children whose heroic acts touched lives but were often ignored due to their age.
“This event is significant because it is rooted in the recognition of those whose best efforts are very often overlooked by the society. On a daily basis, our beloved Nigerian children perform thousands of heroic acts at great personal risk to themselves. In 2008, we decided to take up the challenge by not only recognising these young heroes, but also providing them scholarship opportunities since their actions have touched lives in their immediate communities and beyond,” he noted.
For Divine Toruemi, Mohammed Kenubu and David Adekunle who placed first, second and third respectively, the awards could not have come at a better time since they never knew their acts of bravery would someday be rewarded. They were picked by a distinguished panel of judges from an initial shortlist comprising 14 children for this year’s edition of the event. Toruemi who resides in Port Harcourt rescued a drowning boy; while Kenubu from Kano helped find a missing baby and Adekunle, a Minna-based 8-year-old, got robbers arrested through his ingenuity. They got N1 million, N750,000 and N500,000 respectively for their heroism.
Toruemi, 14, said her recognition by Dufil Prima Foods Plc was an encouragement to always go the extra mile for others. “If I hadn’t done what I did that day by saving the drowning boy, I probably wouldn’t be here for this award. My message to children out there is to help save lives whenever they can. I’d like to say a big thank you to Dufil Prima Foods for the cash prize which will be very helpful to me and my family,” she said.
