Organiser of the Heart of Gold Award and Publisher of Eve Afrique reading her welcome address at the 15th Edition of the Eve Afrique Red Ball and awerd ceremony which held in Abuja on Sunday.
By Victoria Onehi
The 15th Edition of Eve Afrique Red Ball and Heart of Gold Award has held in Abuja.
The event with the theme ‘Restoring the Pride of the Niger Delta’ also featured presentation of the Heart of Gold award to eight sons and daughters of the region for their contributions to the cause of the Niger Delta region.
In her address, the organiser and publisher Eve Afrique Ivy Davies Etokakpan, said the yearly event was organised to celebrate the milestones and impact the Red Ball for charity Initiative has had on the Niger Delta and the society at large.
She said: “The Prestigious Heart of Gold Award is to individuals who have made significant strides in areas such as human rights protection, peaceful dispute resolution, sustainable development in the Niger Delta region and governance.”
One of the recipients and Managing Director of Abuja Investment Company Limited (AICL) Mrs Maureen Tamuno, said the award was a call to do more for the youth and people of Niger Delta.She pledge her continued support to the cause of the people of Niger Delta and continued collaboration with programmes of Eve Afrique.
Guest Speaker and an awardee at the event, Stella Fubara who spoke on the theme of event “Restoring the Pride of the Niger Delta.” said the pride of the region was not stolen overnight but eroded by decades of neglect, exploitation, division and disillusionment. ” I believe in our capacity to restore the Pride of the Niger Delta. It is something to stand for. But here is the truth,A Pride can be lost so it can be reclaimed. I make a call for integrity,for excellence and hardwork because that is what it will take to bring our Pride back.”Fubara said.
Another Guest Speaker Yibo Koko, said vision is key to reclaim the Pride of Niger Delta. He said: ” If you lack vision,then you can’t see.The whole idea is to see and if we can’t see the beauty of the region,then you can’t be brilliant enough to bring it back. So,what Eve Afrique Red Ball is doing is create an avenue for us to see and then reclaim it.” Koko said.
Another speaker Dr Kaine Chinwah urged the people of Niger Delta to focus on environmental preservation and sustainable development. She stressed the need for individuals to take ownership of the region’s future through hard work and active participation.
The chairman of the Eve Afrique Advisory Board and Awardee,Alabo (Dr) Emi Membere-Otaji said restoring the Pride of the Niger Delta is a call to return to the values, identity and collective strength that define them as a people. ” It is about showing the world that the Niger Delta is more than it’s challenges.It is rich with history, beauty, culture, resilience and potential.” he said.
Other recipients of the Heart of Gold Award are Asu Ekiye fondly known as the “Prince of the Niger Delta,Mrs Tonye Briggs Oniyide,a trail blazer in culture, tourism and public service.Others are Otunbress Timi Peggotty Dumbo,a multifaceted entrepreneur and Philanthropist,Hon Boma Iyaye, Executive Director ( Finance And Administration) Niger Delta Development commission. Others are Dr Daere Akobo an entrepreneur and Philanthropist,Mr Idaere Gogo Ogan, a boardroom guru . Others are Samy Nasreddin ,Mr Richard Akinaka and Tantita Security Service Nig.Limited.
