Ugboba Monarch Bags Silent Hero Award in Traditional Leadership

By Patrick Ochei 

The amiable Monarch of Ugboba Kingdom in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State, HRM Obi Ezedimbu Emmanuel Nkebakwu has bagged the Silent Hero award in Traditional Leadership. 

The award was presented to him at the 6th edition of the Silent Heroes Award, held at the Nicon Hilton Hotel Abuja, on the 16th September, 2023.

Obi Nkebakwu was happy that he was recognised for the enormous effort he put into creating a pathway of progress and development in his agrarian Ugboba community since his ascension to the throne of his forebears, thereby giving credit of the award to his people who have continued to stand by him in all decisions taken in the interest of economic growth and advancement of Ugboba Kingdom. 

He appreciated the organisers for their keen observation that earned him the nomination for the award, wherein he promised never to disappoint those looking up to him, especially in the area of traditional matters.

Speaking at the award ceremony, the Coordinator of the Nigerian Silent Heroes Award Initiatives, Mrs. Ozioma Odita Sunday, held that the award is given to Nigerians excelling in various fields of endeavours, who have impacted humanity positively within and outside their environments.

According to her, "The award initiative was conceived to identify and recognize some silent achievers in their own rights".

She pointed out that the nominated persons numbering 25 in all, were carefully selected among hundreds of others, in view of the outstanding contributions they have made over the years in their various spheres of endeavours to add value to humanity.

She said, “In furtherance of the initiative, I like to disclose our intention to institute the Africa Heroes Award in the nearest future with a view to celebrating our unsung achievers within the continent of Africa.”

Also speaking at the event was the former Minster for Women Affairs, Mrs. Pauline Kedem Tallen who was among those recognised.

She appreciated the organisers for the recognition and said, her life has been a dedication to humanity and would continue to make a difference in the life of others.

“If you put smile on the face of your neighbour, you are putting a smile on God’s face, so we should try to make the world a better place by making those in need happy, speaking up for those who can’t speak for themselves, sharing in the plights of others because that’s the essence of life,” the former Minister stated.

In a vote of thanks by a Co-Founder, Dr. Odita Sunday, he appreciated all those who turned out for the award ceremony, saying the ideology behind the award is to inspire young people to believe in hard work even in the face of challenging times.

The highpoint of the event was the presentation of the awards to the Nigeria Silent Heroes Awardees 2023, which include: Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, Director of Public Information, Nigerian Air Force, HRM Obi Ezedimbu Emmanuel Nkebakwu, Obi of Ugboba Kingdom as Silent Hero in Traditional Leadership, Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu as Silent Hero in ICT Development, Mr. Oliver Alawuba, MD/CEO, UBA, Dr. Solomon Arase, Dr. Daniel Kolawale Olukota as Silent Hero of Faith, CP Idowu Owohunwa as Silent Hero in Policing, Mr. Ikalumhe Cornelius, Desmond Utomwen, Engr. Chichi Philip-Orioha, Pastor Jude Chukwunwike as Silent Hero in Local Government Administration, Barr. Samuel Ihensekhien as Silent Hero in Law and Advocacy, Oradea Adekunle Adedonun as Silent Hero in Medicine, Mayor C. Bolivia Osigbemhe, Mr. Frank Oshanugor, Online Publisher, Pastor Norbert A. Sochukwudinma (NAS), Hajiya Husanah Nacho as Silent Hero in Business and Enterprise, Austine Adigwe, Chief Patrick Eholor as Silent Hero in Tourism and  Hospitality, Rt. Hon. Ahmad Chindo as Silent Political Hero, Hon. Innocent Esewezie, Alhaji Musa Mohammed, Dibie Oriekose Charles, Crogamiane Global Braces LIB, and Kelvin Jombo Onumah.

Present at the event were the creme-de-la-creme of the society, which include the former Director of DSS, Sir Mike Ejiofor, former Director General of Nigeria Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), Prof (Sir) Epiphany Azinge, SAN, former Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, the Provost of Kogi State College of Health Sciences, Dr. Nuhu Solomon Anyegwu, the Obi of Ugboba in Aniocha North LGA of Delta State, HRM Obi Ezedimbu Emmanuel Nkebakwu, among other dignitaries.

As part of its achievements at the 6th edition of the Silent Heroes Award, the organisers also unveiled a Magazine and a Compendium of the Nigerian Heroes Award volume one.