Spotlight on Nigeria’s Silent Heroes 

For their service to humanity, Nigerians excelling in various fields of endeavours were recently recognised for impacting humanity positively within and outside their environment. Chiemelie Ezeobi reports that at the fifth edition of the Nigerian Silent Heroes Award, NSHA, the spotlight was on 25 of such heroes drawn from the security services to captains of industry, clergy, farmers, judiciary, lawmakers, civil servants, traditional rulers, technocrats, businessmen and women, and even the media

The fifth edition of Nigerian Silent Heroes Award (NSHA) was last year marked at Abuja Continental Hotel, formerly known as Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Abuja. At the event, honoured for their service to humanity were individuals from the security services, to captains of industry, clergy, judiciary, lawmakers, farmers, civil servants, traditional rulers, technocrats, businessmen and women, and even the media. 

Organised by the NSHA Initiative, a non-governmental organisation, the annual event  recognises humanity with an award that expresses the gratitude of society for their kindness towards fellow individuals, families, community and environment and their silent heroic service to country.

The initiative, which was conceived by the Coordinator, Mrs. Ozioma Odita Sunday, had in attendance former Director of DSS, Sir Mike Ejiofor; former Director General of Nigeria Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) Prof (Sir) Epiphany Azinge, SAN; the Provost of Kogi State College of Health Sciences, Dr. Nuhu Solomon Anyegwu; the Obi of Ugboba, in Aniocha North LGA of Delta State; former Minster for Women Affairs, Mrs. Pauline Kedem Tallen, among other dignitaries.

Meanwhile, Dr Nuhu Solomon Antegwu was also invested as the Patron of the Silent Heroes Award Initiatives.

Concept of NSHA

Speaking at the ceremony, the coordinator said the initiative was conceived to identify and recognise some silent achievers in their own right.

She pointed out that the nominated persons were carefully selected among hundreds of others in view of the outstanding contributions they have made over the years in their various spheres to add value to humanity.

“In furtherance of the initiative, I like to disclose our intention to institute the Africa Heroes Awards in the nearest future with a view to celebrating our unsung achievers within the continent of Africa.”

Project Coordinator, Mrs Ozioma Odita-Sunday said: “Through this award, we look forward to inspiring more persons to become Silent Heroes. This year’s edition is the fifth in the series. We have recognised farmers, artisans, technocrats and uniformed people oiling our nation’s wheel of progress, as well as deliberately and silently shaping our nation for our next generation”.

Nigeria Silent Heroes Awardees

Recipients of the award include: Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, Director Public Information Nigerian Air Force;  Silent Hero in Business and Industry award to Deacon Sunday Chukwumanjo Umeoduagu, CEO of GABJANE Global Resources Limited; His Royal Majesty, Agbogidi Ezedimbu Emmanuel Nkebakwu 111, the Obi of Ugboba, in Aniocha North LGA of Delta State, Silent Hero in Traditional Leadership; Dr Ebenezer Onyeagwu, Silent Hero in ICT Development; Mr Oliver Alawuba; Silent Hero in Transparent Banking Culture; Dr Solomon Arase, Silent Hero in Integrity and Good Governance; Rev Mercy Ezekiel, Silent Hero of Faith; AIG Idowu Owohunwa, Silent Hero in Policing; Dr Daniel Olukoya, Silent Hero of Faith; and Cardinal James, Silent Hero in Leadership. 

Others include Mayor Bolivia Osigbemhe, Silent Hero in Music Industry; Desmond Utomweh, Silent Hero in Journalism (New Media); Engr. A. Chichi Philip-Orioha, Silent Hero in Education Development; Pastor Jude Chukwunwike, Silent Hero in Local Government Administration; Barr. Samuel Ihensekhien, Silent Hero in Law and Advocacy; Dr. Adebayo Adedokun, Silent Hero in Medicine; and Mr. Frank Oshanugor, Silent Hero in Journalism (Print Media and Book Publishing).

Not left out were Hajia Husnah Nacho, Silent Hero in Business and Enterprise; Austine Adigwe, Silent Hero in Gospel Music; Chief Patrick Eholor, Silent Hero in Tourism, Hospitality Development; RT. Hon. Ahmad Chindo, a Silent Political Hero; Hon. Innocent Esewezie, a Silent Hero in Integrity and Good Governance;  Alhaji Musa Mohammed, a Silent Hero in Trade Facilitation; Dibie Charles, Silent Hero in Farming and Food Security; and Haidar Daik, another Silent Hero; and Pastor Nobert Sochukwudinma, Silent Hero in Leadership and Grassroot Politics. 

Compendium of Nigerian Silent Heroes

The organisers also unveiled a Magazine and a Compendium of the Nigerian Heroes Award volume one. 

According to the organisers, “In our larger society, there are men and women who are silently working assiduously behind the scenes to oil our nation’s wheel of progress. 

“These people are SILENT HEROES in their own right but have largely remained unsung and under-celebrated.  Believe it or not, they are the reason our nation has made the modest progress recorded in different spheres in contemporary times.

“The book, “NIGERIA’S SILENT HEROES volume 1” is a documentation of some of the milestones of such hardworking individuals. Their achievements cut across diverse fields like Education, Security, Journalism, Industry, Oil and Gas, Real Estate, Governance etc. 

“This compendium provides the reader with some insight into the rich profiles of these quiet Nigerians who have paid their dues to humanity. 

“The spotlight on these “great” countrymen and women is intended to inspire upcoming young people to know and believe that hard work, integrity and consistency still have their dividends.”

In a vote of thanks, Dr. Odita Sunday appreciated all those who turned out for the award ceremony saying the ideology behind the award is to inspire young people to believe in hard work even in the face of challenging times.