Bianca Iboma

The Live Abundantly Empowerment Initiative (LAEI), has honoured Governors Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun) and Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), in recognition of their services, while former Chairman, Punch Nigeria Limited, late Mr. Wale Aboderin, got a posthumous humanitarian award.

The ceremony, Kaleidoscope award night, held amid glitz and glamour, saw some of the nation’s leading personalities in government and business being also honoured.

Executive Director of the group, Dr. Ama Onyerinma, described Aboderin as one who lived an exemplary charitable life. She said the group aimed at “transforming lives of women and children through education, social awareness and advocacy.

“A lot of issues affect women and children but we decided to focus on violence against women and children, empowering women as change makers and to support the education of those marginalised by poverty.

“I saw that the late Aboderin had passion for charity. This is a very solemn moment for me as this award was to celebrate his interest in the wellbeing of others. Aboderin died on May 30, 2018, but his works and contribution live on, he was ever ready to impact.

“The late Aboderin was an inspiration to all because of his genuine and unrelated care he had for the less privilege. His charitable works are historical because of his desire to empower the girl-child whom the society has relegated to the background causing her to loose hope.

“He founded the Dolphins Women’s Basketball Club as a means of encouraging them to find a place in their quest to pursue greatness through sport vocation.”

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Mr. Bolaji Are, who presented the award, said though he never had the opportunity to meet him before he passed on, he read a lot about him.

Chairman of Punch and sister to Aboderin, Mrs. Angela Emuwa, received the award: “We can actually learn from him. I am happy for the award but emotionally touched that he was not here, I miss him greatly.

“He was a being who gave to people without you noticing his identity. The Dolphins Women’s Basketball and helping people were just tokens of the many humanitarian works he did for humanity.

“My brother brought together young women, especially people from poor backgrounds, gave them education first and a chance to be recognised. He paid them salaries so they could be a blessing to their families. Some of them went to the University of Lagos (UNILAG), some got the opportunity to travel abroad to make positive impact.

“The Rapture Music Band he founded, he allowed the band members to operate under another name so they can get extra income and be more comfortable.”

Other awards included Safety and Security given to the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons; Humanitarian Award given to the International Organisation for Migration and Media Advocate Award given to the Guardian newspaper.

Chairperson Board of Trustee of the group, Mr. Gbenga Oguntayo, said: “We need to do more as regard the welfare of the less privileged. Iis time to go beyond the comfort zone, it is a wake-up call.”