Some seven years ago, the Nigerian Silent Heroes Awards (NSHA); a project of the Silent Heroes Awards Initiative, made its debut in the public space with a declaration of filling the gap in the long neglected areas of recognition in various sectors of the economy with respect to the achievements or unique contributions of personalities in those areas. Simply put, the Nigerian Silent Heroes Awards (NSHA) is an idea conceived ostensibly to bring to light the hidden unique contributions of persons or institutions to humanity which invariably make such persons or institutions worthy of recognition and honour.
Since its maiden edition in December, 2019 which was held in the city of Asaba, Delta State capital, the Silent Heroes Awards has become an annual event many discerning members of the public are looking forward to, as it has continued to bring to the attention of the public, the contributions to the society of those who over time have remained unsung obviously because they have chosen not to engage in self-praise or buy honor with money as many others would want to do.
With the traction recorded since its birth, the Silent Heroes Awards has unarguably become one of the leading ‘AWARDS’ in the country as the quality of recipients in the past editions could clearly show. It is no by means a pedestrian affair as nomination and selection are transparently done in a manner that those ultimately selected are worthy of honour in their own right. From inception till date, no fewer than 200 persons have been honoured with one award or the other in different categories. Like in the previous edition, the annual award begins with nomination into the various categories. Nomination of potential award recipients for the 7th edition is hereby declared open.
These categories include Policing and Intelligence, Human Rights Advocacy, Journalism, Image Management, Business and Enterprise, Politics, Medicine, Motherhood, Faith, Good Governance and Infrastructure Development, Management, Journalism (broadcast) ICT/Tech Development, Public Service, Transparent Banking Culture, Tourism Development and Private/Industrial Security. Other categories include Aviation Development, SME Development, Military Image Management, Police Image Management Real Estate & Housing Development, Human Resource Management, Shipping & Maritime, Oil & Gas Development, Agricultural Development & Farming and Maritime and Blue Economy Initiative.
In these various categories, Nigerians with impeccable pedigrees have often been nominated and those finally selected are usually worthy of the honour in their different spheres of life. It is interesting to note that some past Silent Heroes Awards recipients include Prof. Muhammadu Shafi’U Abdullahi (Silent Hero in Education), Assistant Commissioner of Police Olumuyiwa Adejob (Silent Hero in Police Image Management), Canada based Mrs. Judith Ogunleye (Silent Hero in community Development & Philanthrophy, Dr (Mrs) Awele Elumelu (Silent Hero in Medicine), Mr. Emmanuel Onwubiko (Silent Hero in Human Rights), Ebaide Queen Omiunu (Silent Hero of Climate Change & Social Impact) Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu (Silent Hero in ICT Development), Dr. Daniel Kolawole Olukoya (Silent Hero of Faith), Prof. Adedokun Adebayo Adekunle (Silent Hero in Medicine) and Barr. Samuel Ihensekhen (Silent Hero in Law & Advocacy.) There are many other award winners.
Apart from the maiden edition of the Silent Heroes Awards which was held in Asaba, Delta State, subsequent editions have taken place in Abuja. The organizers thought it expedient to shift the venue to the nation’s federal capital, in line with their vision to make the awards take a national outlook as recipients are usually drawn from various states of the federation. In that light, this year’s 7th edition of the Silent Heroes Awards would also hold at the nation’s federal capital.
Usually, the annual award series come with a lecture on any chosen theme considered topical and relevant to contemporary issues. Such topics, as a matter of rule, are usually assigned to those whose cerebral status are distinctly outstanding and capable of creating new ideas that would help in advancing our nation’s socio-economic and political development frontiers. The 7th Edition’s lecture theme is THE POWER OF SELFLESSNESS. As usual, the lecture would be delivered by a personality of repute with a mastery of the essentials derivable from the theme.
Lead organizer and initiator of the Nigerian Silent Heroes Awards (NSHA) series, Dr. Odita Sunday-Udemagwuna, is a seasoned journalist currently heading the defence and crime beat of THE GUARDIAN newspaper, a flagship in Nigeria’s print media parlance. Over the years, he has traversed the length and breadth of defence and crime reporting both within and outside of Nigeria. The exposure garnered over time in several places he had travelled to, unarguably contributed largely to his vision for an award series that would recognize hard work particularly by those who have remained humble and consistent in their endeavours to make our world a better place to live. He obviously expects that nomination for this year’s awards would also be anchored on hard work, humility and outstanding achievements.
Ostensibly founded to reward excellence, the Nigerian Silent Heroes Awards unlike some pedestrian awards that dominate the media space, comes with no strings attached. It is given on merit to those whose carrier or life trajectory clearly comes with outstanding achievement that impacts and adds value to humanity. It could be in education, politics, business or in any of the recognized categories earlier mentioned in this write up. The important thing remains the fact that in whatever sphere a potential awardee is coming from, his or her achievements would be outstanding and not a run of the mill kind of achievement.
Judging from the packaging of the previous editions of the Silent Heroes Awards, one would safely infer that the organizers have carved some niche for themselves and the Initiative itself as every edition comes with a unique top range branding that inspires any attendee to participate in future editions. Interestingly, the uniqueness of the Silent Heroes Awards series is gradually bringing some redefinition in the manner and raison detre behind certain awards in the public space. The attempt of its organizers to keep positioning it as award of honours that are not tied to pecuniary status of a potential awardee is already causing a rethink in some quarters by those who before now had seen award of honour as a cash and carry affair.
Even though so much financial commitments go into the planning of the annual Silent Heroes Awards, its promoters’ vision over the years has remained the search and recognition of those regarded as silent achievers in various corners of our plural society where ethnicity is often times, a dominant factor or criterion in choosing who occupies what position. To the glory of God, Silent Heroes Awards Initiative takes a more honourable route by recognizing and honouring selected awardees based on their individual merits and not where they come from.
The award is not based on quota basis and would never take that route. This year’s edition promises to improve on the previous six editions and as usual, many Nigerians are looking forward to participating in it.