FROM THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
Twenty-Five Years – a Quarter of a Century – is a long time in the life of an NGO; what with the challenges of the operating environment. Particularly, we have no external funding either from the Government or any international agency.
When the project Hallmarks of Labour began in 1996, followed by the birth of the Hallmarks of Labour Book Series in 1999, we were confident, then and even more so now, that Nigeria is a reservoir of people; men and women who — against all odds — have embraced hard-work, with lofty achievements and dignity that can match or excel their contemporaries elsewhere in the world.
Our list of Award Winners [HLRs] is a testimony to this fact.
In 2019, the Foundation celebrated its 23rd Anniversary and The Great Nigerian Awards. What a Re-Union it was for our Role Models! The event was memorable and well attended.
Then came the Corona Virus [COVID-19] Pandemic that has ravaged the world for two years now. Indeed, the disease has constrained a great deal of our programmes and activities, but happily did not put the Foundation to sleep.
In the midst of the challenges, the Foundation refurbished and equipped a library for an indigent public school in Anambra State — Community Secondary School, Achina, Aguata Local Government Area. We are pleased to inform you that Foundation has named the library after one of Nigeria’s finest Scientists, Professor Uche Amazigo, HLR who hails from Achina.
On a rather sad note, we regret to state that the Foundation lost a number of its eminent and active Role Models in the last two years:
- Francesca Yetunde Emmanuel, CON, HLR — First Female Federal Permanent Secretary in Nigeria.
- Professor Oladipo Olujumi Akinkugbe, CON, MD, NNOM, HLR — Youngest Professor of Medicine ever appointed by an African University.
- His Excellency, Brigadier Mobolaji Johnson [Rtd.], HLR — First Governor of Lagos State and ‘Architect of Modern Lagos’.
- His Excellency, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, HLR — ‘The Action Governor of Lagos State’.
- Professor Adetokunbo Oluwole Lucas, OFR, HLR — A Leader in Global Medicine.
Though these Great Nigerians have passed on, they lived fulfilled lives that have impacted positively on society. They have certainly earned eternal rest in the bosom of Almighty God. Amen.
We appreciate the resilience of the Board of Trustees, Management & Staff of the Foundation over the years. We also gratefully acknowledge the solid support of our Role Models, Corporate Partners and Sponsors in enabling the Foundation forge ahead.
May Almighty God continue to use them as channels of blessings to human society.
Welcome, once again, to our Anniversary Celebrations and Conferment of Role Model Awards.
Chief Mrs. Patricia Dede Arawore