Religion, Social Values & Empowerment Archives

CYIAC Wins 2018 UN SDGs Action Award In Innovative Category

The Creative Youth Initiative Against Corruption (CYIAC) has emerged the winner of the Innovative Category of the first United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Action Awards.

Ms. Foluke Michael, the Project Director of CYIAC in a statement said the Innovative Category top award was presented to the group in Bonn, Germany by Mr. Markus Hipp, the Director, BMW Foundation

She said the campaign that led to the awards demonstrated the extraordinary momentum towards achieving the SDGs in different parts of the world.

At the event, the Global Director of the UN SDG Action Campaign, Mitchell Toomey disclosed that the Awards ceremony was held in tandem with the second edition of the Global Festival of Action for Sustainable Development in Bonn.

Toomey added that the awards ceremony honored initiatives in the categories of communicator, connector, includer, innovator, mobiliser, storyteller, and visualizer.

In the words of Mitchell Toomey:

“These are ‘Action’ Awards because we need more than words: our winners dared to believe and act for change.

They are perfect examples of the wonderful work that’s happening around the world led by thousands, if not millions, of people.”

The Awards span over private and public sectors, as well as civil society and grassroots movements.

The winning initiatives (CYIAC) included fighting corruption in Nigeria and mobilising Belgians to implement the SDGs in their daily lives. Others were empowering children through photography and digital skills in Bangladesh, promoting human rights education in Sri Lanka and much more.

Over 700 nominations from 125 countries in 7 continents were submitted.

An expert judging panel evaluated the submissions against the degree to which actions were deemed to be transformative, inclusive and impactful.

In addition, an open vote was held on the website of the UN SDG Action Campaign, where visitors could rate their favourite among the 38 finalists to win the People’s Choice Award.

Mitchell Toomey noted that:

“Great solutions for the world’s challenges can come from anywhere.

We hope everyone is inspired by these stories and consider submitting their nominations for future Awards.

These are the first winners of a community that will continue to grow”.

Itoro Eze-Anaba Wins Commonwealth Point of Light [2018]

Itoro Eze-Anaba has emerged the 4th Commonwealth Point of Light award recipient in honour of her support for victims of rape and sexual assault, recognised and honoured by the Queen of England, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Itoro Eze-Anaba founded Nigeria’s first sexual assault referral centre in 2013 and since then has helped over 3,100 victims of rape. ‘The Mirabel Centre’ has established itself as a key service provider for victims of sexual assault in Lagos State, with an increasing number of clients accessing the centre, indicating a growing awareness amongst members of the public of the existence of the centre and the crucial services it provides.

On receiving the Commonwealth Point of Light award, Itoro Eze-Anaba said:

“I am delighted that a Point of Light has been awarded to highlight the importance of tackling rape and sexual assault. Rape is evil, degrading and dehumanizing.

On behalf of the dedicated, tireless and resolute team that is determined to give voice to the voiceless, strength to the weak and hope to the hopeless, I am sure that this award marks the beginning of a joint effort to uproot this evil that relentlessly battles for our future. This award is a reiteration of our message of NO TO RAPE!”

Each Commonwealth Point of Light receives a personalised certificate signed by Her Majesty The Queen as Head of the Commonwealth.

According to the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Paul Arkwright:

“Itoro has shown impressive dedication to supporting victims of sexual assault and rape. She has provided a safe haven for over 2,800 survivors of this heinous crime and has encouraged thousands of others to break the silence on rape and seek prosecution of perpetrators, reducing their impunity.

The Mirabel Centre is a project of Partnership for Justice where rape and sexual assault victims can access free forensic medical and counselling services.”

In the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in London on 19-20 April, volunteers across the 52 Commonwealth nations are celebrated for their inspirational acts of volunteering across the Commonwealth and help inspire others to make their own contribution to tackling some of the greatest social challenges of our time.

The Commonwealth is a diverse community of 52 nations that work together to promote prosperity, democracy and peace. The Heads of Government meeting brings together leaders from all the 52 Member countries to reaffirm common values, address shared global challenges and agree how to work to create a better future for all citizens, especially young people.

Nuzo Eziechi Wins Inaugural Nigeria Integrity Idol

Nuzo Eziechi has won the inaugural Nigeria Integrity Idol, a reality TV show, which celebrates the most honest public officials in Nigeria.

Nuzo Eziechi, an official at the Bureau for Public Enterprise (BPE) emerged overall winner of the 2017 Nigeria Integrity Idol amongst four other finalists, 150 nominees and over 11,000 votes. The four other candidates featured in the final were: Igbolo Magdalene, Ogumelen Justina, Yemi Kale and Tubokenimi David.

On receiving the prize, Nuzo Eziechi said:

“We all have to be integrity idols and do the right things, even when no-one is watching.”

Eziechi was chosen for her honest and responsible approach to work, ensuring standards even in challenging circumstances. Eziechi says she refuses to take bribes from anyone. Nuzo Eziechi serves at the Bureau of Public Enterprise, Abuja where she carries out her duties (HR policies and Business Strategy alignment, workforce planning, learning and development) dutifully and has become a role model to many in her work environment.

According to her:

“I live by the values my parents taught me; not to play by my own rules or take shortcuts in everything I do”.

Blair Glencorse, who is the founder of Accountability Lab — the NGO behind the initiative said:

“It was fantastic. Huge amounts of positive energy and a real women’s power feel with four of the candidates female.”

Integrity Idol started in Nepal in 2014. The competition is now conducted by volunteers in Liberia, Pakistan, Mali and South Africa.

The event is based on “faming, not shaming.” Instead of focusing directly on corruption, they highlight integrity.

Blair Glencorse believes that:

“The more we can show that government officials can be celebrated for doing the right thing, the more it will help the public understand what they should expect from them.”

Each country narrows down five candidates who are filmed and interviewed for national television and radio. Throughout the week citizens vote online and via SMS.

Captain Robert Emmanuel Hayes Wins 2017 Karis Award

Nigeria’s first pilot, Captain Robert Emmanuel Hayes, has been bestowed with the Karis Award at the G.R.A.C.E. 2017, for his contributions to the country’s aviation industry and aeronautical education sector.

The event, which was held at the Household of God Church, Ikeja, Lagos, was pioneered by the General Overseer, Pastor Chris Okotie, and was chaired by Gen. Esio Obada (Rtd), a former member of the Supreme Military Council.

In his opening remarks, maritime lawyer, Mike Igbokwe (SAN), said GRACE, an acronym for God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense, was established in 1990, for donations of cash and support to charity organisations.

He explained that the purpose of the Karis Award is for the recognition of, and giving of an award along with cash reward to any Nigerian living or dead, who had distinguished themselves through their contributions to the development of Nigeria.

In the words of Mike Igbokwe:

“The Karis Award is borne out of patriotism, and the need to foster national unity and zeal, but it is without any religious, political, geo-political, tribal or social bias. This is one of the Church’s ways of giving back to the society, recognising those who have contributed to national development, and also to encourage patriotism and excellence in national development.

It is a social/charity event to celebrate God’s grace, encourage patriotism and support the needy and the poor. Nigerians from different walks of life, different faiths, tribes, political leanings, geo-political zones and social backgrounds, had been conferred with this award in the past.

In some cases, the governments and other Nigerians had followed suit in honouring the Karis Award recipients.

For instance, after Mrs. Margaret Ekpo became the Karis Awardee in 2001, the Government named the Calabar Airport after her, after Mr. Taiwo Akinkunmi was honoured in 2003, he was given a National Honour; Chief Gani Fawehinmi SAN, who was honoured in 2010, had gardens and monuments named after him by the Lagos and Ondo State Governments, among others.”

Speaking about the awards, Pastor Chris Okotie said:

“We are motivated by love; we are actuated by Christ likeness to do what our master has mandated us. In a world where there are political imbalances, and economic instability, we still have people who believe in love, who believe in community, who will look after their neighbour, and be their brother’s keeper. We are saying it very clearly that God, who so loved the world gave Jesus Christ to us, and that same spirit is what has brought all this.”

In his response, 82-years old Karis Awardee, Captain Robert Emmanuel Hayes, expressed appreciation to Rev. Okotie and the Church for the award.

In the words of Captain Robert Emmanuel Hayes:

“Today is one of the unique days of my life. I have never been so honoured. I thank you all sincerely.”