Hyacinth Chinweuba
The first lady of Bauchi state, Niger Delta Junior Minister, Festus Keyamo, Odita Sunday, a journalist with The Guardian Newspaper among other notable Nigerians were at the weekend awarded with the prestigious award of Philanthropy by organizers of Nigeria Philanthropy Award.
The award which held on Saturday, September 14 , 2019 at Ladi Kwali Hall, Sheraton Hotel, Abuja was themed “UNSUNG PHILANTHROPISTS EDITION”.
Nigeria Philanthropy Awards has been described as a defining honour for gold hearted Nigerians and a foundation for the establishment of the philanthropy community of Nigeria.
In his inauguration address at the award ceremony, the project Director for the Nigeria Philanthropy Awards and initiator of the Nigeria Philanthropy Community (PCN), AMB. Emma Bricks Oko commend the interest of the awardees in philanthropic activities because they are seeing to the welfare of others.
Bricks said, the awardees deserves an accolades because there are many wealthy Nigerians who cannot accumulate their wealth, yet no single person can be empowered through them but the Philanthropists in their little earnings found it necessary to put a smile on the faces of others.
“I am happy that all our recipients who were carefully selected from the nominations will be remembered by their donations to mankind, not just in cash but either in good governance advocacy, leadership/policies, CSR and selfless services to humanity. 
“I personally see philanthropy as a kind of business venture. It’s an investment for God that you will only reap after now and I urge you to not relent in your quest to making the world a better place for us all.
He also note that the Nigeria Philanthropy Awards is not just the handover of awards plaques to individuals but it will also serve as an induction into the Philanthropy Community of Nigeria, (PCN) for all awardees.
“The PCN is a coalition of philanthropists who would work as a team to help in the fight against poverty and hunger in the land.
“NPA recognizes that philanthropy work must start with individuals who invariably make up the family unit, so we must strengthen and support the family if we must build good communities and have a more peaceful world to live in.
“There are changes we dream of as individuals. There are changes we want to see in our clubs, in our communities and in our world. NPA is charging you today to continue to be the agents of positive change we envisage in the world, and continue to do things differently and contribute to the improvement of lives through your philanthropic activities in our communities, ” he said.
The project coordinator, Bricks also salute President Muhammedu Buhari for the creation of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster management and social development ministry head by Hajiya Sadiya Faruk, saying , it is a great proof that a families in different parts of the country who, it is no fault of theirs that they are sent into an untold hardship through any form of occurrence would henceforth be easily attended thereby reducing the numbers of people who roam the street without shelters due to unforeseen circumstances we go through as a country.
Mr Bricks is however worried that philanthropic service providers in Nigeria are not celebrated, he said that individuals bring out their hard earned resources and time to put smile on the faces of the underserved without the hope of being rewarded by anyone but for God.
He argued further that such persons should be given a special place like their counterparts in other parts of the world.
According to him, “The biggest killer disease today is not Stroke or Diarrhoeal as opined by world Health Organization but rather the feeling of being unwanted, uncared for and deserted by everybody. The greatest evil is the lack of love and charity, the terrible indifference to our neighbour. At the hour of death, when we come to face God, we are going to be judged on Love-not how much we have done but how much Love we have put into our actions, he said.
Bricks called on the 9th Assembly to with immediate effect sponsor a bill where a considerable percentage of recovered looted funds from corrupt Politicians to be earmarked for Philanthropy in Nigeria.
He noted that, philanthropy can only complement the programs and services of the government for the welfare of its people and not replace its obligations, and if the government do it’s part, the work will lessen for the philanthropists and the vulnerable will be largely attended to.
Also speaking at the occasion, Mr. Odita Sunday, a Crime Correspondent with The Guardian Newspaper who was awarded as the Philanthropist Journalist Of The Year for his contribution through an initiative known as ‘BACK TO SCHOOL PROJECT FOR ORPHANS’ under his NGO Anioma Youth Network for Dev.(AYND) said he is motivated to do more
He said: I am delighted to have been recognized as a philanthropist journalist through my little effort of assisting the less privileged people with my income. This award is also a motivation to do more for people in the society.
“God alone own and deserves all glory, I am inspired to take the ‘Back To School Project’ to other part of the country with the help of God.
While dedicating the award to his late mother, Mrs. Mary Utomi Sunday, Odita further note that the death of is mother at a tender age remains a major force behind the establishment of his NGO which take cares of orphans.
“Growing up without a biological mother is my motivation to reach out to the motherless and orphans in the society.”
Other notable Nigerians awarded as Philanthropists include, More Names:Gov. Yahaya Bello, Hon. Micah Jiba, Hon. Ned Nwoko, Isaac Balami, Hon. Mojisolaoluwa Alli-Macaulay, Amb. Queen Stephanie Onozasi (Little Miss Nigeria Africa) to mention to a few.