Words on Marble

HLF rightly seeks to demonstrate through the projection to the public of the history of the lives and careers of its Role Models that any Nigerian willing to make the effort can reach or surpass the achievements of these role models recognized so far, and contribute significantly to making Nigeria Great.

Chief Patricia Arawore and Hallmarks of Labour foundation are doing a great job for Nigeria; so, she deserves the acknowledgement of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Those who write books are passing down history for this and generations to come.     

When we recognize the heroic in every decent principle upheld in the face of social decay, when we see the heroic in a person’s willingness to live to the high standards in every word and action as a Nigerian; then truly we would have succeeded in fulfilling the ideal and goals of the HLF. The journey to fame is long; let us set to work anew, so that Nigeria will one day truly be seen as a hallmark of what a determined and principled people can achieve despite adversity. 

The Hallmarks of Labour Foundation is doing a great job. It is doing the job of the Federal Ministry of Information, Research departments and even the National Library ought to be doing. Bust since these institutions have failed to do so, the author, Mrs Patricia Otuedon-Arawore has opted to close the gap. I urge and encourage her to carry on this very valuable contribution to the history of our Nation. I am proud to be associated with her and I will definitely continue to support and identify with her.

In its two decades of existence, the Foundation has succeeded in identifying exemplary men and women all over the country who, against all odds, have embraced hard work, honesty and integrity with lofty, enviable achievements to show for it. This has been in an attempt to “salvage the image of the country” and provide to the increasingly youthful population of Nigeria role models to follow. This has been a self-imposed and daunting service and the present situation of nauseating corruption, fraud and injustice in the country shows that the challenges before the foundation remain as formidable and intimidating as ever. 

I would like to commend the author, Chief Mrs Patricia Otuedon-Arawore on the great job she has been doing for Nigeria for more than 20 years now. Particularly, I am happy to see volume 8 of Hallmarks of Labour Book Series and I am confident that many more volumes will follow. It is a happy moment to see that women are excelling in our society today. I believe you are a great model yourself, Ma and I pray that in the very near future a book will also be written about you to the benefit of our younger generation. I shall personally look forward to it, please accept my hearty congratulations. 

This book is very interesting because it is focused on two lawyers and a doctor, but the commonality among them is that they are three literary giants. If you read Justice Eso’s judgements, you will know that his middle name “Socrates”; if you read Professor Akinkugbe’s expositions, he will be nick-named “Homer”, and Professor Nwabueze will probably be “Aristotle”. 

This is really a very important event, considering the backdrop of Nigeria today. We must continue to underline the values of those people who have genuinely contributed to Nigeria’s progress, those people with strong self-conviction — which seems to be what we are left with this day– that have driven them to the heights they have achieved.

That for 17 years such organization has been in existence, promoting — without publicity and fanfare — the values of discipline, integrity and high-quality education at all levels, is really inspirational. Nigeria is long overdue for fostering human-centred political and social development paradigms whereby its citizens are the focus of the social, political and human development which leads to universal human development. This will certainly make our dear country, the Federal Republic of Nigeria; become a polity which is greater than the sum of its parts. May the Good Lord continue to bless you and use the Hallmarks of Labour Foundation. God bless Nigeria!

In the twilight of my existence on this planet, I am humbled and honoured to be asked to chair this ceremony. I was pleasantly surprised that three important personalities were involved – personalities indeed that I have known for many years, all of them are people of integrity- whose pedigree leave no one in doubt as to their standing in the community. It will be superfluous for me to say anything more about them. The aim and objectives of the foundation as set out under The Preface to this volume are noteworthy. Once again, Patricia keep up the noble efforts you are making, knowing that all of us are behind you.

We congratulate the Author and the Hallmarks of Labour Foundation on the consistency and sustainability with which they have presented us in Volumes 1-6 as role models. We would do what we can now and in the future to continue to assist their efforts.

I want to thank Patricia Otuedon-Arawore especially and the Hallmarks of Labour Foundation for giving fulfilment to hard work, and for making us realize that our labour is not in vain and thus inspiring others to do more. God bless you, Patricia.                                                                

The heroes and heroines of the day deserve the honour bestowed on them and I salute the brains behind the Hallmarks of Labour Foundation for bringing these three personalities together in one book. This initiative must have been inspired by God.

I profusely thank Mrs Pat Otuedon-Arawore, and her Hallmarks of Labour team For doing us this rare honour of celebrating these three great personalities from Lagos State and chronicling their lives in one book. We are indeed very grateful. 

Our nation’s youths face a very tough challenge of believing that they have a future in the light of difficulties they face in today’s society but reading about the lives of fellow Nigerians who rose above the challenges they faced becoming huge success will help inspire them to rise above the difficulties in their own lives. Writing this book helps capture in posterity an important part of our nation’s history for this, Nigerians are indebted to Patricia Otuedon-Arawore for ensuring that these accounts are never lost.

As I look at these past thirteen years, it occurred to me that the Hallmarks of Labour 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 twenty-seven great men and women who are worthy men and women who are worthy of emulation and whose records constitute a great inspiration for future generations. 

I am particularly excited about this book because it chronicles the history of some of our personalities and for this reason, I am sure that Nigerians are greatly indebted to Patricia Otuedon-Arawore and her Hallmarks of Labour Foundation for ensuring that these accounts are documented for posterity. I recommend that everybody owns a copy as they navigate the terrains of life because the book is very inspirational.

Without doubt good research. I thank the author through her Foundation for doing what has been missing in this country, which is, recognizing people while they are still living. My prayer is that Hallmarks of Labour Foundation will grow from strength to strength.”

I have watched several episodes of Hallmarks of Labour as a Television programme and it reveals that Nigeria is rich with great men and women of outstanding intellectual qualities. Hallmarks of Labour has gone further to translate what was hitherto a television documentary programme into an intellectual research document. I salute you, Patricia and I am proud that you are Deltan. What you are doing here today is in line with the aspiration of the Delta State Government to develop the people in the state, nationality and globally. These three Awardees today are people we can draw inspiration from. Hallmarks of Labour has carved out a niche for itself in the area of building up role models for the younger generation to follow and I pray that you will continue in this path.”

“Indeed a very remarkable job and the engine room of the Foundation is our dear Patricia Dede Otuedon-Arawore, who would not let you rest until she gets what she wants. She is a slave driver, hardworking, intelligent and very focused. We need many more of this calibre of people in Nigeria. She too should also be recognized now. i commend the Foundation for recognizing us today when we are here not waiting till we are gone. As they say, if you love me let me know it, this is what Hallmarks of Labour Foundation is doing.” 

“I am pleased with the Hallmarks of Labour Foundation for co-operating with other people like you in the audience to be a part of the solution to our national problem. Continue the good work so that together we can get Nigeria where it ought to be. Thank you, Patricia”. 

“We ought to know that there are people in our society who are worthy of emulation. Your work in this respect is excellent. Please bring forward those role models so that our younger generation will De-emphasis monetary gains and recognize hard work and thus make our country great."

“The concept is most valuable. In Nigeria today, there is a dire need to profile our role models. This is a wonderful job. I wish you all the best.”

“In a country where heroes are forgotten, Hallmarks of Labour has come to fill the gap. this is very inspiring. Thank you very much for a good job.”

“We ought to know that there are people in our society who are worthy of emulation. Your work in this respect is excellent. Please bring forward those role models so that our younger generation will De-emphasis monetary gains and recognize hard work and thus make our country great”

“God bless you, Patricia. You bring cheers to people and you have a commitment to virtues that we can learn from. Don’t be tired, you are in your prime and more prosperity will definitely come the way of Hallmarks of Labour foundation."

“It is heart-warming to note that your seminal television programme ‘Hallmarks of Labour’ featuring a well-reasoned choice of eminent Nigerian achievers has debuted in a book form. This is a commendable effort."

“May I congratulate your Foundation for this wonderful programme of honouring well-deserved personalities in Nigeria. Africa and the Black world."

“This is a great project indeed and I urge you not to relent in your efforts to work tirelessly for the development of our society and the welfare of our people."

”Permit me to renew the expression of my commendations to your Foundation for its passion and commitment to the task of nurturing leadership in our nation. I trust that your primary objective of promoting honesty, hard work and integrity in our society will be served through the sustained promotion of activities such as these. I urge you to keep up the good work.”

“Though the task of selecting the personalities was tasking to the Author, the package may not be a labour in vain after all. it is a thorough but cautious search for those that are heroes and heroines in our national life. In order to reach her desired audience and as well as secure a wider readership, the Author employed simple language, illustrations and pictures. these are individuals who walk tall in various endeavours in life: public service, international diplomacy, academics, healthcare, commerce and industry. in order to make the work distinct and give its own character, the author includes a vox populi in which she gathers oral pieces of evidence and testimonies from family members, colleagues, friends and associates about their moral standards in society. By the time every Nigerian Child of this and future generations reads and digests these works, perhaps it will precipitate the much-desired moral regeneration the present society is lacking.”

Hallmarks of Labour have brought to this society a new orientation to the future generation. In addition, it is an effort to prevent a great catastrophic future. Never before in our long history has mankind been confronted with such an alternative of triumph or disaster.
What Hallmarks of Labour are doing is indeed astounding. We have but to continue to amplify this spirit and these methods to ensure even greater results than those, which thus far achieved.
The Hallmarks of Labour Foundation can count on me and, I am sure, on many others to support the programme in its efforts to revolutionise our thinking and our ideals. Here, indeed, is something really new in our human history.
One day, maybe long after I might have gone, I would be most pleased to hear Patricia Dede Otuedon say: “I beg to leave to add, that if the following work proves of as much utility to the youth of this county, my utmost wishes will be gratified; and I shall esteem myself happy in reflecting, that, though a woman, I have had the most real of all satisfactions – that of being of some use to my country”

Hallmarks of Labour are always a refreshing sight to see on television. In today’s environment where core moral values are a rarity, it warms the heart to see living role models. The fact that these men and women are actually real-life Nigerians gives a ray of hope for the future.
If only a few young men and women strive to emulate these personalities, Nigeria would be a much better place.

This programme is one with a feeling, a programme with a heart; that touches every aspect of a person’s life.
I pray it will continue to make progress.

Hallmarks of Labour must be acclaimed a worthy initiative in the development of a culture of heroship so lamentably lacking in Nigeria. A nation culture of heroship serves to inspire its youth to aspire to be like their leaders whose heroic achievements and noble qualities are recognised and honoured. Without this, the nation may become just a society of self-seeking individuals and money-grabbers; a society in which social values and worthiness are determined by money and other such mundane things.
That is, regrettably, part of the tragedy of the Nigerian nation. I make bold to say that Patricia Otuedon and the Hallmarks of Labour Foundation have presented us in Volume 3 of the series, with a choice that cannot be faulted, a choice of which any popular opinion poll will overwhelmingly, if not unanimously, approve. The novel and laudable initiative of the foundation must be insulated resolutely from the all-pervading propensity to pervert all institutions and standards, which has grown to such alarming proportions as to become a national malaise.

With the publication and presentation of this fourth edition, the book series “Hallmarks of Labour” has, without any doubt, come to stay, what started as a mere idea has marched through the dream process and graduated into concrete reality.
Patricia must be commended for her steadfastness, her unflinching and undiluted faith in the existence of men and women of honour and integrity who are societal role models in Nigeria.
I wish her every success as she highlights these people as inspiration to others.

In a country challenged by so many poor views of what the world should be, it is gratifying to know that there is a programme that is bringing for the Nigerian people, a proper kind of role model; a kind of people whose lives will enable us to build a better society.

“The programme Hallmarks of Labour is very interesting. Watching it provides some relief about Nigeria, which is depicted as a country of fraudsters. I believe the programme should be supported because it features men and women who have done Nigeria proud and given us something to boast of”.

“I am grateful to the organisers of Hallmarks of Labour. It gives the nation and younger elements the opportunity to see that people can really attain greatness and reach the pinnacle of their respective professions through hard work and dedication”.

“The author Patricia Otuedon is steadily in her focus showcasing role models and telling the world that they abound here in Nigeria, men and women who can rub shoulders with notable achievers in other parts of the world in all decent human endeavours – be it academic, social, political or any other work of life.”

“What every man needs, regardless of his job or the kind of work he is doing, is a vision of what his place is (and what it could be).”

“Let me say that you are embarking on a serious campaign of natural regeneration and a renaissance. If you take that as your cardinal principle then you are going, over a period, to establish democracy in this land”.

“I must commend the efforts of the Author and Publishers of Hallmarks of Labour in coming out with this series. I thank them for their belief in the Nigeria dream and for recording the achievements of our patriots for the present generation and for posterity”.

“Nigerians need to tell the rest of world who we are and provide a clear perspective of what Nigeria truly is. We should tell our own story and this programme will help to do that for Nigeria and Nigerians”.

I congratulate you on this innovative and original idea; something which I think will be of great benefit to society in an effort to change their values.

For one thing, our young and aspiring generation needs role models. The young are ever hero-worshipers. HALLMARKS OF LABOUR is attempting to supply them with those to emulate and imitate.

“One day, maybe long after I might have gone, I would be most pleased to hear Patricia Dede Otuedon say: “I beg to add, that if the following work proves of as much utility to the youth of this county, my utmost wishes will be gratified; and I shall esteem myself happy in reflecting, that, though a woman, I have had the most real of all satisfactions – that of being of some use to my country”.

Let me say that you are embarking on a serious campaign of natural regeneration and a renaissance. If you take that as your cardinal principle then you are going, over a period, to establish democracy in this land.

Hallmarks of Labour is a fantastic idea that Nigerians will definitely benefit from and I must say that when I look at the quality of the Nigerian which you have selected so far, I cannot help but congratulate you and I hope that you keep it up.
This is an inspiration to all of us. We do not celebrate enough, the success f our heroes. It is a magnificent programme and I hope that more volumes will come out. I believe also that there are quite a few female Nigerians who also deserve to be honoured.

I must commend the efforts of the Author and Publishers of Hallmarks of Labour in coming out with this series. I thank them for their belief in the Nigerian dream and for recording the achievements of our patriots for the present generation and for posterity.
It is important that we give necessary encomiums to our heroes whilst they are still living and not wait until they are gone. By so doing, we might be able to encourage others to follow suit.
As I wish the Author and Publishers the blessing of almighty Allah, I call on all of you here to lend your weight in order to keep the series going.

I am happy to note that, in this volume, you have featured three of our eminent statesmen as role models. We pray that their examples as models will benefit our youth, thus transforming our nation into a God-fearing one. We commend your efforts and may God continue to guide and speed you.

On behalf of the people of Borno State, I once again express my gratitude and sincere appreciation to all those who have contributed to the production of “Hallmarks of Labour”, for all that you have done for the people of the state in featuring the achievements of our illustrious son alongside his equally deserving compatriots.

My interest is sharpened by the efforts of the Author, Patricia Dede Otuedon to set up this role models series. In expanding the initiative of the Television programme to a book series, you have taken a bold step to establish a fascination. I have also seen a few of the television programmes and I must say they are very interesting and enriching. I commend this wonderful initiative.
I believe this publication is a must-read for every literate Nigerian and will serve to remind us that service to our country and society is not a wasteful effort. It also draws attention to the basic fact that whatever we do will be recorded against our names.

The effort of the Author and publishers involve considerable resources in research, writing and production to achieve the book we have before us; so, I implore all of you to support and encourage them.
I also call upon corporate organizations to take up sponsoring of the television series. That way, we can be certain that this noble idea and initiative will not die.

The author, Patricia Otuedon is steady in her focus of showcasing role models and telling the world that they abound here in Nigeria, men and women who can rub shoulders with notable achievers in other parts of the world in all decent human endeavours – be it academic, social, political or any other work of life.
Going the extra mile, the author has added value to the credibility of the personalities featured in her books by obtaining testimonies as the strength of character of her role models from equally eminent personalities such as the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Dr Kofi Annan; former President Shehu Shagari; former Secretary to the Federal Government, Mr Allison Ayida and Nigeria High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr Christopher Kolade.
Though not a biographical series, “Hallmarks of Labour” certainly is a testimonial of achievements.

“Hallmarks of Labour” is a very serious publication because it highlights some very important aspects of public service in present-day Nigeria. Our youths believe that nobody can make it through hard work, but “Hallmarks of Labour” has shown to us that there are people who sweated through hard work to make their mark in Nigeria today.
Hard work is hardly rewarded in Nigeria. I want to commend the initiative of the author. She has done very well and I think more of it should come. However, I must also warn her not to compromise on the standards which she has set.

I am here to recognize what is called “Quality”; quality in the right sense. I particularly want to thank the Author. With this type of publication, we can begin to show the world and younger generations of this nation, that there was once quality in the country, and this must surely return.
I congratulate you Patricia [author], Philip [Asiodu], my ‘egbon’ Michael Omolayole and Shehu [Umaru]. I wish all of you many more years of hard work and recognition.
I hope many of the younger ones, in particular, will read this book and see what makes the three gentlemen tick.

The personalities featured in HALLMARKS OF LABOUR [Volume one] stand like a colossus – shining, beaconing in the sky of the Nigerian firmament. They are all eminent people among their peers nationally and in the international community…
I believe they were born great and have also achieved greatness by their own hard work.
It is, therefore, for me to present this book to the complete moral rearmament and change of our society through emulating the lives of these great sons of Nigeria.

Let us continue to give praise to people who by sheer dint of integrity, courage, service above the normal call of duty; people who are selfless and have in fact given life and security to our public institutions.
Whether they like it or not, by holding firm, they have in no small way contributed to the quality of life available to the rest of us. We shall always remember them.

Congratulations on the wonderful initiative that is “HALLMARKS OF LABOUR”. It is timely, particularly in a country where values have completely decayed; where people think money should be worshipped and their sense of achievement is money-oriented.
The programme is indeed for the sustenance of imperishable values that made Nigeria great in yesteryears. It enables the younger generation to know that it pays to serve one’s country diligently and to the best of one’s ability; that what is important are name and contribution; to make your country better than you met it rather than seeking self-aggrandisement by all means.
May your diligent labour bear the fruits that will restore our lost glories and take us back to the path of sanity?

I would like to seize this opportunity to commend you and Mahogany Limited, for your intensive and serious search for individuals in our society with ‘Hallmarks of Labour’, designed for not only the community at large but, most especially, the young, up-and-coming generation.
I congratulate you on this innovative and original idea; something which I think will be of great benefit to society in an effort to change their values.

“A programme like this should not only be shown on Television but developed into a household feature. it should be focused more on our youth especially as they have a wrong perception about how one can progress in life. The programme needs to be sponsored on a continuous basis”.

“Nigerians need to tell the rest of the world who we are and provide a clear perspective of what Nigeria truly is. we should tell our own story and this programme will help to do that for Nigeria and Nigerians”.

This book is a textual version of a television programme aimed at re-orienting Nigerians from a culture of crass materialism and primitive accumulation to that of respect and honour for integrity, honesty, industry and commitment to service of the society and the country as a whole. It’s an attempt to restore the old values which developed during the colonial era, and extended to at the very least, the middle of the seventies, or even to the beginning of the second Republic in 1979.
Nigeria has had great men who are worthy of emulation, whose records constitute great inspirations for the present and coming generations.

Our hope for a meaningful future lies in the number of young Nigerians who are determined to be the Lambos, Oputas and Ayidas of today and tomorrow. Let us pray that such young men still exist.