By Bimbola Oyesola

It was a night of glamour and ‎glitz recently, when an international organisation celebrated some silent achievers, who in their little ways have been putting smiles on the faces of people in the society.

The honourees cut across the high and the low. They included the president-general, Nigerian Football Supporters Club, Dr. Rafiu Oladipo; Solomon Omere of the Super Story fame “Godwin,” Down Syndrome Foundation of Nigeria (DSFN), and a number of others.

The organisation, Women of Essence, aka Esther Group, a not-for-profit group based in the Republic of Ireland, said that the award, tagged The Essence Award (TEA), now in its fourth and second year in Ireland and Nigeria, respectively, sought to celebrate, appreciate, inspire and encourage people and organisations that have selflessly made impact in their communities.

According to the CEO of the group, Mrs. Tosin Popoola, the categories of awards cut across every stratum of human endeavour: education, entrepreneur, social impact, against all odds, extra miles, young achiever, an NGO or group, a company’s charity or foundation, change champion, person of influence and outstanding legacy award.

Popoola noted that the Essence Award was ‎also a fund-raising event for worthy societal causes and charity organisations.

She noted that the organisation last year had supported the Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevor Health Trust, a foundation inaugurated after the medical doctor who lost her life saving Nigerians from the scourge of the Ebola virus.

“The ‘Charity of the Year’ for the Essence Award 2017 is Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria (DSFN). It is an organisation that is dedicated to being the primary source of information, support and voice for people with Down Syndrome, their families and the professional community,” she said.

She explained that the Women of Essence was particularly drawn to the foundation with its ideal of working towards an improved quality of life for members along with respect and acceptance of people with Down Syndrome as valued members of the Nigerian society.

Popoola noted that the Women of Essence was a Christian women’s intercessory group that gathered from time to time to praise the Lord, share the word of God, testimonies and pray for the members’ husbands, children, church, nation, and themselves.

She disclosed that the group, which was founded in 2007 with only three members, has grown steadily overtime.

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“With a whole generation of women looking for meaning and fulfilment in life, Esther Group provides a very strong outreach that addresses women’s needs in particular and the needs of the community in general. As daughters, wives, and mothers, we are women who have been tested in our walk with the Lord and have endured the challenges and pains that life inevitably brings.

“We, therefore, possess an enduring quality that other women of every race, age, religion and background can easily identify with. We bear one another’s burdens as our own and share one another’s pain, joy and triumphs as sisters. Today, in addition to our intercessory role, the group has metamorphosed into an outreach group in the area of mentoring and encouraging other women to be the best that they can be,” she said.

The award night, which took place at the Sheraton Hotel, Lagos, was well attended by the awardees and their families and friends.

The Nigeria Football Supporters Club was at the venue in their numbers to usher their president general into the hall with music and dance.

Adorning their green-white-green attire, they created a replica of what was usually seen when they were on national assignment, drumming support for the national teams.

Oladipo’s entry into the hall was greeted with ovation, same for the call for his award; he danced as he came forward.

In his acceptance speech, Ladipo revealed that the Essence Award was the 334th he had received so far.

He said this one coming from a Nigerian group based in Ireland was fulfilling to him, as he had actually launched a supporter’s club in Ireland.

He charged Nigerians wherever t‎hey lived to be proud of the country and project her image positively.

“Everyone should go out and do something positive for Nigeria. I love what has happened here tonight. Everything I do is about Nigeria; not all of us can become ministers or governors, but we all have a role in projecting Nigeria well. We should let the world know that the percentage of Nigerians doing bad things is less that 0.5 percent of the population,” he said.

A turning point on the night came when Solomon Omere, “Godwin” of the award-winning Super Story drama, trotted out to receive his award. Omere, who had played the role of Godwin in the soap opera, is a member of the DSFN. Although he suffers the condition, he has excelled in his academic and vocational training.