More than twenty personalities have been honoured with awards in different categories.


They were been honoured at the second edition of Nigeria’s Silent Heroes Award, NSHA, in a colourful event that attracted personalities from various walks of life in Abuja.


The Silent Heroes Awards which is an annual awards had its maiden edition last December at BestWestern Elomaz Hotel, Asaba, Delta State.


The over twenty Silent Heroes Awardees were identified men and women of integrity, distinction who are role models and torchbearers in their own right and deserved to be celebrated by all Nigerians.


It was a gathering of titans, the sage, rich, poor and people of all walks of life as the organisers of the “Nigeria Silent Heroes Award celebrated some living legends at the Ladi Kwali Hall of Sheraton Hotels, Abuja.


The event which kicked off in the evening, saw people pouring encomiums on the organisers for remembering not only the well-to -do, but also the unsung.


In his opening remarks, a former Director-General, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Professor Epiphany Azinge says heroes needed to be recognised in any country whether by medals of honour in the armed forces for heroic achievements in war time, or by institutions and organisations trying to change the narratives in the country.


He noted with dismay that success in Nigeria is defined by wealth, political attainment, intellectual accomplishments, local recognition by traditional authorities, solidarity of business empire and crass flamboyant lifestyle or undignified showmanship.


According to him, proper heroes are more often than not, relegated to the background of national or societal recognition.


The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) while describing the event as one of the best of its kind in Nigeria, advised people to always be conscious of their characters as they do not know who would be watching them.


The erudite scholar was therefore full of praises for the giant steps taken by Nigerian Silent Heroes Award organisers to recognise and honour those considered to have impacted positively on humanity in their different ways even as he emphasised that “the main trust of today’s event therefore is to give vibe and vitality to deserving Nigerians who by their works are eminently qualified to be celebrated as heroes and heroines.”


He stated further that “in pursuit of higher ideals and values, these deserving Nigerians have opted to silently and consistently continued their work far removed from klieg light, the media and the public space.”


Earlier in his welcome speech, the initiator of Nigeria Silent Heroes Award NSHA, Odita Sunday-Udemagwuna said the event was divinely planned as a way of victoriously ending the Covid-19 pandemic.


According to him, this because the initiative to identify and recognise some silent achievers in their own right within our plural society, as we are about to witness today, could have died at the level of conception if not that God has a hand in the initiative.


In his words, “it is interesting to say that NSHA is anchored on a process of identification, recognition and celebration of those whose life activities have positively impacted humanity within or outside their own immediate environment.


He says it is interesting to say that the NSHA is anchored on a process of identification, recognition and celebration of those whose life activities have positively impacted humanity within or outside their own immediate environment, saying those who were celebrate were carefully nominated among millions of others in view of the outstanding contribution they have made over the years in their various spheres to add value to humanity.


Odita said the awardees of today in their individual capacities and activities, particularly in public space, have remained humble and not audacious in self-praise, inspite their outstanding achievements; hence we have chosen to honour them as silent heroes.


He said the NSHA has come to stay as an annual event. In furtherance of the initiative, I like to disclose our intention to institute the ‘Africa Silent Heroes Awards’ in the nearest future with a view to celebrating our unsung achievers within the continent of Africa.”


The front line journalist used the opportunity to appreciate individuals and organizations like the United Bank for Africa, Zenith Bank and others “for their encouragement and support.”


Speaking also at the event, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Inspector of Police Intelligence Response Team, Abba Kyari; a Deputy Commissioner of Police described the event as one of the best organised in Africa. Said he: “I have gone round the world and attended many awards ceremony but I am yet to see this kind of initiative where unsung heroes are being celebrated.

“This is good and people should key into it, as it is a reminder that even the low and the weak are being watched and acknowledged by people.


According to a guest, Patrick Nnaji, the event is one of the best because the organizers did not only remember the rich or policticians but they recognised those who did not have the inklings that they would ever be appreciated. I saw awardees expressing surprise that they were being recognized. This will make others, especially our youths to be more dedicated in whatever they are doing as they are now conscious that they may become silent heroes. This type of event should be recognized by the government at all levels to encourage people to do more and be dedicated in all that they do”.


“Understandably, success in Nigeria is defined by wealth, political attainment, intellectual accomplishments; local recognition by your traditional authority, solidarity of business empire and crass flamboyant lifestyle or undignified showmanship.


On his own, Nigerian Navy Public Relations Officer, Commodore Suleman Dahun, who was also a guest, said, “I will advise the youths to be very conscious of what they do and tilt towards hard work as it is the only way to succeed. It is not negotiable. We should embrace the virtues of hard work and must show patriotism in all that we do.”


An awardee, a gospel musician, Austin Adegwe, who performed at the event said, “I am proud of the the organizers of this event because I just started music not up to a year, yet I was nominated for this prestigious award. I am wondering why I was picked out of the rich, wealthy and popular artists. This is incredible and it shows that the organizers are impartial. What I owe them is prayers. The sky will not be their limit. The award has really shown me that I must be conscious of my daily activities and it has spurred me to do more and be more creative”.


There were also advice and motivational words of encouragement as the Nigerian Silent Heroes Awards honoured some unsung achievers from the media, police, military, business community, agriculturists and so many personalities.