Emeritus Professor Umaru Shehu, CON, CFR, HLR

[December 8, 1930—October 2, 2023]

It is with a great sense of loss that the Hallmarks of Labour Foundation [HLF] formally announces the transition from this realm, of our dear Chairman, Board of Trustees, Emeritus Professor Umaru Shehu, CON, CFR, HLR at the age of 93.

 

He was an eminent Professor and Leader in Community Medicine , University Administrator ,and Nigeria’s first Emeritus Professor with several strategic appointments and postings within Nigeria and the International scene where he recorded significant impacts.

 

At the inception of the Hallmarks of Labour Foundation [HLF] in 1996, Emeritus Professor Umaru Shehu was chosen as the pioneer Chairman of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, which position he ably held for over 25 eventful years, till he passed on October 2, 2023. In that capacity, his personality, which typifies the ideals of the Foundation blended with excellent colleagues on the Board of Trustees, namely: Dr. Christopher Kolade (Vice Chairman), H.E. Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, Prof. Grace Alele Williams (Deceased), Prof. Itse Sagay, Mrs. Grace Giwa , Chief Patricia Otuedon-Arawore (Executive Secretary), to shape the Foundation into what it is today: a Non-Governmental, Non-Profits Organization set up to identify Role models for our youth to emulate and has continued to wax strong after 27 years. Professor Umaru Shehu had a hands-on approach and was visible in its programmes and events.

 

Even as failing health slowed him down, in recent years, he remained very active in its affairs — practically involved from planning to implementation stages of our programmes and projects.

 

Under Professor Umaru Shehu’s chairmanship, the Foundation has projected hard-work, excellence, and the best of Nigeria through our annual Awards to men and women who have made giant strides and value-added contributions to national development. It is heartwarming to note the HLF Awards is often described as the most prestigious Awards in Nigeria.

 

A Role Model of rare distinction, he was very humble in his ways and in that humility was majesty. He was a gentleman to the core, and when he spoke, his calm tone compelled attention. It has been a privilege to work so closely with him and tell his story in Volume 2 , of our book series, Hallmarks of Labour.

 

We are happy also that the HLF-UMARU SHEHU LIFE-TIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR CONSISTENT ADVOCACY FOR POSITIVE CHANGE WITHIN THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM, with Impeccable recipients, will remain a continuous tribute to this great Man, Academic, University administrator, Leader in Community Medicine – Nigeria’s first Emeritus Professor.

 

We at the Hallmarks of Labour Foundation will sorely miss him. We will miss his wise counsel and exemplary leadership. As we submit to the Will of Almighty God, we urge his family , the Government and people of Bornu State, the Academia and all who mourn him to take solace in the fact that he lived a fulfilled and worthy life. He was a man of great faith and a firm believer in Allah . Indeed, we are assured that the Almighty has accepted his Soul to Al-Jannah.

So we say:
“Good Night, Our Chairman , Great Nigerian, Mentor and Leader”. Sleep well.

Chief Mrs. Patricia Otuedon-Arawore

Executive Secretary Hallmarks of Labour Foundation

The post We Mourn! Emeritus Professor Umaru Shehu, CON, CFR, HLR appeared first on Hallmarks of Labour Foundation.

Book Presentation “Hallmarks of Labour Book II” : Message from AfDB President Dr. Adesina on Prof. Akinwale Bolaji Akinyemi from AfDBGroup on Vimeo.

The post Book Presentation “Hallmarks of Labour Book II” : Message from AfDB President Dr. Adesina on Prof. Akinwale Bolaji Akinyemi appeared first on Hallmarks of Labour Foundation.

I am delighted to announce the upcoming release of my next book, Hallmarks of Labour Volume 10 and the Foreword by Hon. Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, CON, CFR, GCON, DR, HLR – former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN). 

It focuses on the lives and achievements of four eminent personalities, icons of our time – two of the Legal Profession and two others from Academia:

1. Hon. Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte, CON, CFR, HLR — A quintessential jurist, scholar, author, Professor of Law, and the second Nigerian to move directly from academia to the Higher Bench. He was a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria for 18 years, a Judge of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and Chairman, Nigerian Constitutional Conference, to mention a few special assignments. Hon. Justice Karibi-Whyte was a consummate judicial officer, driven by his passion for justice according to law and reputed for his integrity.                                                                                                                                                                                                      
2. Hon. Justice Isa Ayo Salami, OFR, PCA (Rtd.), HLR — A distinguished jurist, a man of great courage and integrity, and former President of the Court of Appeal, Nigeria. He rose through the mill of jurisprudence and advocacy; in the public services of the then North-Central, Kwara and Kaduna States and served variously as State Counsel, Solicitor-General, Permanent Secretary and Director of Public Prosecutions. Appointed a Judge of the High Court of Justice in 1978, he was named to the Court of Appeal in 1998 and became its President in 2009. He confronted powerful vested interests and remains one of the relatively few public officers who sacrificed their careers in their passion for justice, honour and integrity.                                                                                                                                                    
3. Emeritus Professor Ladipo Ayodeji Banjo, CON, FNAL, NNOM, JP, HLR – Educationist, Administrator, Professor of English Studies and a trail-blazer in the field of Applied English and Social Linguistics.  He is an innovative and multi-disciplinary scholar with a passionate belief in unity of knowledge.
4. Professor Allen Bankole Oladunmoye  Olukayode [ABOO] Oyediran, MD, FRCP, FRCPE, FMCPH, FWACP, FNAMed, FAcadMedS, FUI (hc), HLR – Distinguished Scholar, Physician, Epidemiologist, Administrator and a Professor of Preventive and Social Medicine.​

You will find their stories inspiringly! 

The post FORMAL PRESENTATION OF HALLMARKS OF LABOUR VOLUME 10 appeared first on Hallmarks of Labour Foundation.

Each of the schools also received the Foundation‘s cash price of One hundred thousand Naira ( N100, 000) in addition to two senior secondary Science laboratory kits each donated by the Minister for Science and Technology. Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu said that the Donation of the six science kits to the three schools is in support of the Foundation’s efforts to improve the standards of learning in schools through healthy competition. He added that such gestures will encourage the pupils and even other schools to work harder. He concluded by congratulating the awardees and commended the Executive Secretary of Hallmarks of Labour Foundation, Mrs. Patricia Otuedon-Arawore for the great work the Foundation is doing for Nigeria.

The post Minister of Science & Technology Donates Science Kits to 3 Best Performing Schools in WASCCE, 2021 appeared first on Hallmarks of Labour Foundation.

Community girl secondary school, Achina Anambra state.-Refurbishment , Decoration and furnishing of school laboratory -2020

The post Projects of HLF appeared first on Hallmarks of Labour Foundation.

Our aim is not only to celebrate these patriots but also to use their legacies as examples for the younger generation to emulate. So far, 59 distinguished Nigerians have been honoured with these prestigious awards starting from 1997-to date.

The Chairman is His Lordship

 The Honourable Justice Mariam Aloma Mukhtar   GCON, HLR

 Former Chief Justice of Nigeria

Chief Host, Professor Emeritus Umaru Shehu CFR, CON, HLR and                              Dr Christopher Kolade CFR,HLR

We look forward to a glorious event.

 AWARD CATEGORIES AND THE CRITERIA

1. HLF LIFE-TIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR EXEMPLARY/ COURAGEOUS SERVICE TO THE ADVANCEMENT OF OUR LEGAL SYSTEM

Criteria: This award recognizes men and women with proven track records in upholding truth and justice and/or whose services in the legal profession have contributed significantly to the advancement of the Nigerian legal system — through advocacy, adjudication, writing or academics.

2. HLF-UMARU SHEHU LIFE-TIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR CONSISTENT ADVOCACY FOR POSITIVE CHANGE IN THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM

Criteria: Nominees must be academics who have been consistent in their advocacy for:

• Improvements in the standard and quality of learning in the University System.
• Enabling the University System to be a catalyst for National Development.

3. HLF-EMEKA ANYAOKU LIFE-TIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD TO NIGERIA’S OUTSTANDING INTERNATIONAL ICON

Criteria: Nominees must be internationally-recognized Nigerians who have held strategic positions in global institutions and have impacted greatly on Nigeria.

4. HLF ROLE MODEL AWARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR LAND-MARK DECISIONS IN THE JUDICIARY

Criteria: Nominees must be Judges with notable and forthright decisions despite prevailing circumstances, and/or have established precedence in the advancement of the law and/or the legal profession.

5.HLF-ROLE MODEL AWARD OF EXCELLENCE IN LEADERSHIP AND GOOD GOVERNANCE IN PUBLIC OR BUSINESS SECTOR.

Criteria: Nominees should be Entrepreneurs, past or serving State Governors, Federal Ministers, Speakers of the three tiers of Government who have significantly conducted public affairs to enhance the well-being of the people in their areas of jurisdiction.

6. HLF ROLE MODEL AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS IN THE FIELD OF MEDICINE

Criteria:

1. The awardee should have made a scientific contribution of internationally recognized standards which has been shown to be of important benefits to a large number of the people of the world transcending national boundary.
2. The awardee should have made successfully an application of a body of scientific knowledge to the benefits of a large number of the people of the world transcending national boundary.

7. 7. CHRISTOPHER KOLADE AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN LEADERSHIP AND PROFESSIONALISM IN THE MEDIA

Criteria

Nominees will be men and women who have registered a verifiable track record of exemplary leadership, and added eminent value in professionalism in Communication Media in Nigeria.

The post HALLMARKS OF LABOUR CELEBRATES 23RD ANNIVERSARY/ROLE MODEL AWARDS appeared first on Hallmarks of Labour Foundation.

It was a glorious evening on Sunday, September 23, 2018 when Hallmarks of Labour Foundation [HLF] brought together distinguished Nigerians from all works of life, to celebrate nine great Nigerians who by dint of hard-work and moral uprightness have implanted their foot-prints on the sands of time. They are men and women whose achievements have become shining examples for the younger generation to emulate. The occasion was the celebration of the Foundation’s 22nd Anniversary and Great Nigerian Role Model Awards.

In his welcome address, Vice Chairman of the Foundation, Dr Christopher Kolade, congratulated the awardees and thanked them for being such worthy examples for our younger generation to emulate. In his words, “Being here to witness this great event tonight is proof that Nigeria has plenty to celebrate, these are men and women who have put their footprints on the sands of time for which the whole World can be proud of. Indeed, our Foundation is proud to have the privilege of celebrating their achievement tonight”.

The Chairman of the Occasion, Professor Ibrahim Gambari congratulated the board of trustees for their ability to sustain the great work of the foundation for twenty two years, and more importantly for keeping to the tradition of honouring great people, the best and the brightest in our society. This shows clearly that the members of the board of trustees are truly committed to the aims and objectives of the Foundation. I salute them! Professor Gambari concluded by saying “Indeed, by honouring the achievement of these great men and women, we are celebrating Nigeria and humanity in general”.

Dr Christopher Kolade, CON, Vice Chairman HLF Board of Trustees,

Professor Ibrahim Gambari, CFR Chairman, HLF 22nd Anniversary/Great Nigerian Awards 2018

A cross Section of guests at the HLF 22nd Anniversary 2018

Nine great Nigerians were presented with the Hallmarks of Labour Role Model award (HLR), under the following categories:

CATEGORIES                                                      WINNERS

HLF LIFE-TIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD                      Hon. Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte

For Exemplary/ Courageous Service to                                   

the Advancement of our Legal System                                    

HLF LIFE-TIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD                      Hon. Justice Isa Ayo Salami                                   

For Exemplary/ Courageous Service to                                   

the Advancement of our Legal System                                    

HLF ROLE MODEL AWARD                                               Professor Bolaji Akinyemi

For Outstanding Contributions to

Nigeria’s International Relations  

HLF-EMEKA ANYAOKU                                                 Professor Joy Uche Ogwu

LIFE-TIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

To Nigeria’s Most Outstanding

International Icon

HLF ROLE MODEL AWARD                                               Chief Dr. Onikepo Akande

For Outstanding Contributions to                                             

Corporate Governance

HLF-UMARU SHEHU LIFE-TIME                                     Professor Shehu Galadanci

ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

For Consistent Advocacy for Positive

Change within the University System

HLF ROLE MODEL AWARD                                             Professor Ayodeji Banjo

For Outstanding Contributions to                                                  

the Field of Education.

HLF ROLE MODEL AWARD                                            Professor Olukayode Oyediran

For Outstanding Contributions in                                            

the Field of Medicine.                                                                   

HLF ROLE MODEL AWARD                                            Professor Uche Amazigo   

For Outstanding Contributions to                                            

the Field of Public Health.    

HLF YOUNG ACHEIVERS AWARD                                      Christ the King Catholic College

For Best-Performing School in the WASSCE, 2017                  ,Odolewu, Ijebu-ode, Ogun State

22ND ANNIVERSARY

HLF Young Achievers’ Awards For the Best-Performing School IN WASSCE, 2017–Christ the King Catholic College, Odolewu, Ijebu-ode, Ogun STATE.

In line with our main objective, to nurture confident youths positioned to lead the change for a greater Nigeria; the Foundation continues to recognize outstanding young Nigerian achievers and institutions. The purpose of this exercise is to promote excellence, hard work and healthy rivalry within our schools Nationwide. Christ the King Catholic College, Odolewu, Ijebu-ode, Ogun State, received the foundations donation of eight desktop computers complete with accessories, for emerging as Nigeria’s overall best performing school in the WASSCE 2017.  

The Special Guest of Honour, Minister for Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, also donated a science kit to the school in support of the Foundation’s efforts and in recognition of the schools excellent performance in their examination, adding that such gestures will encourage the pupils to work harder. He concluded by congratulating the awardees and the Executive Secretary of the Foundation, Mrs Patricia Otuedon-Arawore for the great work they are doing in the nation.

Best-Performing School in the WASSCE 2017, Christ the King Catholic College receiving their plaque from HE Dr Ogbonnaya Onu while Chief Patricia Arawore,  Professor Ibrahim Gambari and Dr Kolade watches on

Principal, Christ the King Catholic College, Reverend Father Peter Onabamiro responds   

The post HALLMARKS OF LABOUR 22ND ANNIVERSARY appeared first on Hallmarks of Labour Foundation.

The post 22ND ANNIVERSARY INVITATION CARD appeared first on Hallmarks of Labour Foundation.

Professor Emeritus Umaru Shehu, CON, CFR, HLR

Chairman, Board of Trustees,

Hallmarks of Labour Foundation

Bismillahi Rahmani Raheem.

Your Excellency, the chairman of this occasion and a worthy recipient of the Hallmarks of Labour Role Model Award, Chief Eleazer Emeka Anyaoku, Your Lordship, former Chief Justice of the Federation,  Mariam Aloma Mukhtar, My Lords, spiritual and temporal, respected awardees, members of the press and distinguished ladies and gentlemen.

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, management & staff of the Hallmarks of Labour Foundation, I heartily welcome you to our 20^th Anniversary Celebration and I thank you most sincerely for coming to rejoice with us today. May we always have cause to celebrate.

The Hallmarks of Labour Foundation is twenty years old, and as I look back at these past twenty years, it occurred to me that the Foundation has done quite well, particularly in our quest to re-orientate Nigerians from a culture of crass materialism and primitive wealth acquisition, to that of honesty, integrity and commitment to service of our community and the nation in general.

To this end, we have identified several great men and women who are worthy of emulation and whose records constitute a great inspiration for future generations. In other words, we have been able to give our younger generation, an opportunity to make a choice on which way to go as we continue to provide them with worthy inspiration.

From our role model awards, we successively ventured into the publication of the Hallmarks of Labour book series [now in its 8^th volume], scholarship scheme for secondary & tertiary students, youth & women empowerment programmes, community development, and excellence awards for deserving individuals & institutions.

Our modest attainments have been made possible largely with the active support of quite a number of individuals and corporate bodies, some of them are represented here today. We thank you for believing in our vision and for your continued demonstration of solidarity.

Today’s programme is not only designed to mark our twenty years of operations, but also to celebrate another set of role models who have distinguished themselves in their fields of endeavour and strengthened our resolve that our country, Nigeria is far from being a lost case.

We congratulate them all, they are indeed worthy ambassadors for Nigeria and Africa. I have no doubt that the people of Nigeria are indeed fortunate to be blessed with all of them within this same generation.

It is our earnest expectation that it would be worth your time and energy to spend this evening with us, and we wish you all God’s blessings and a safe journey back to your destinations.

You are all most welcome.

The post Welcome Address by HLF Chairman Board of Trustees appeared first on Hallmarks of Labour Foundation.

The chairman of occasion, Prof. Oyewole Tomori in his opening address extolled the many interventions of the Hallmarks of Labour Foundation in ensuring that the less privileged also get opportunity to quality education.

Shortly afterward, Her Excellency, Pirjo Suomela Chowdhury, Ambassador of Finland delivered a keynote address shedding light on the finnish education system and what Nigeria can learn from it.

Setting the tone for the Awards, was The International School, Olabisi Onabanjo University recognized for their outstanding performance in the 2013 WASSCE while Mr Ogunfolaji Oloruntoba was recognised for being the best student in WASSCE in year 2013

Founder of LEAP Africa Mrs Ndidi Nwuneli, MFR gave a motivational address encouraging the student to be all they can be by having the right attitude as well aw reaching for excellence however challenging the environment is assuring them success is often the result of hard work

A panel discussion moderated by a foremost legal luminary Chief Tony Idigbe SAN comprising of past recipient of the HLF Young Achievers awards, a parent of one of this year’s recipient as well as representative of the Commissioner for Education n Lagos State.

The High point of the Awards ceremony was the recognition of Nigeria’s youngest Ph.D holder, Dr. Hallowed Oluwadara by Hallmarks of Labour as a young achiever.

The Special Guest of Honour, our amiable Firstlady of Lagos, Dame Abimbola Fashola gave the students present at the event a once in a life time opportunity to ask her any question to which she gladly obliged and responded.
The students were eager to learn and benefit from the first lady’s wealth of experience.

The Executive Secretary, Mrs Patricia Otuedon-Arawore gave the vote of thanks, appreciating all the dignitaries and student present.

Find Images of Event below

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”2″ gal_title=”Young Achievers Award 2014″]

The post The HLF Young Achievers Awards and 18th Anniversary appeared first on Hallmarks of Labour Foundation.