URBANEXPRESSLIVEURBANEXPRESSLIVEURBANEXPRESSLIVE
  • Home
  • Politics
    Politics
    “Followers who tell the truth, and leaders who listen to it, are an unbeatable combination.”— Warren Bennis
    Show More
    Top News
    $6billion Debt: Atiku Slams NNPCL, Says Its Layers of Deceit
    September 2, 2024
    Leaked Memo: Zamfara Govts Response “Action Inline With Civil Service Rules
    September 15, 2024
    Davido, Sanwo-olu’s SSA Gawat  Disagrees Over Use of Word On X
    September 21, 2024
    Latest News
    There’s No Justification For Not Being In Peace With My Boss-Fubara
    May 30, 2025
    Concerns As Activists Fear Emergency Rule May Last Beyond Six Months
    May 28, 2025
    Obi , Atiku in Deep Blue Sea As Coalition Confused Over Choice of Candidate-Lere
    May 24, 2025
    US Ex- Ex-President Biden Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer
    May 19, 2025
  • Entertainment
  • Urban & Rural Lifestyle
  • Column
  • Environment
  • Urban Sports
  • Crime Lence
  • More Links
    • About Us
    • Contact us
    • Advertise
Search
  • Advertise
© 2024 Urbanexpresslive. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Tribute to Nigeria’s unsung Heroes
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
URBANEXPRESSLIVEURBANEXPRESSLIVE
Font ResizerAa
  • Home
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Urban & Rural Lifestyle
  • Column
  • Environment
  • Urban Sports
  • Crime Lence
  • More Links
Search
  • Home
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Urban & Rural Lifestyle
  • Column
  • Environment
  • Urban Sports
  • Crime Lence
  • More Links
    • About Us
    • Contact us
    • Advertise
Follow US
  • Advertise
© 2022 Foxiz News Network. Ruby Design Company. All Rights Reserved.
URBANEXPRESSLIVE > web-Page > Column > Tribute to Nigeria’s unsung Heroes
Column

Tribute to Nigeria’s unsung Heroes

urbanexpresslive
Last updated: January 9, 2025 10:03 am
urbanexpresslive
Share
8 Min Read
SHARE

Ayo Baje

“A true hero isn’t measured by the size of his strength, but by the strength of his heart”

-Hercules

They are out there sacrificing their sweat, valuable time, boundless energy and precious resources to make a positive impact on the quality of life of fellow citizens, virtually daily. They are diligent at their duties; exhibiting promptitude, passion and perseverance, not counting the cost, if only to put a smile on other people’s faces. But they are hardly recognized at high-class award ceremonies, all because they are not the Dangotes, the Otedolas, the Jim Ovias and the Alakijas, or even the wave-making entertainers and so-called celebrities. Yet, we clamour for a better country and a brighter world. What a life of contradictions!

Mind you, their professional spectrum spans different fields of human endeavour – from teachers, nurses, and office assistants, to skilful artisans, and security personnel to committed caregivers. But what marks them out is their avowed commitment to duty and selfless service to humanity. Their moving mantra, or propelling philosophy is to bring out the best in them for the good of others. That is true leadership for you, all because you do not need to wear a title to be a leader, as the world-acclaimed author, Mark Sanborn rightly highlighted in his bestselling book of the same title.

Of great significance, therefore, is the increasing need for Nigeria’s mass media to begin to identify, protect and promote such unique and rare individuals as the society’s enduring heroes. They should be projected as our moral compass, more so in this strange era of overt focus on maddening money and mindless materialism, irrespective of their sources of inflow. Indeed, this is also the right moment to understand such individuals as the beacon bearers the younger generation of Nigerians need to guide them forward through the long, dark tunnel of ignorance and poverty. A few examples would shed more light on the purpose of this clarion call.

A personal experience evolved between the subject of the matter and my humble self back in 2018. We became friends on Facebook and yours truly always appreciated his prayers. To hit the nail on the head, he confessed that he was attracted to my person because reading through my weekly opinion essays published by different newspapers, magazines and online portals, clearly convinced him that I have a passion for good governance in Nigeria.

By November of that year, he invited me as one of the members of his Foundation- the Ibiyinka Macaulay Foundation with the mission of giving a helping hand to the needy. Worthy of note is that the United Kingdom-based Ibiyinka Macaulay happens to be of the Fourth generation in the lineage of the late political icon, Herbert Macaulay.

Fast forward to Saturday, May 18, 201,9 and yours truly was the Media Consultant to the Foundation which kick-started the provision of different gift items such as food, drugs as well as cash for needy Nigerians in different parts of Lagos. These included the Modupe Cole Memorial Child Care and Treatment Home at Akoka, the Lagos Cheshire Home, Mushin and the Tower of Refuge Orphanage/ Motherless Babies Home, Aguda, Surulere. But that was not all there was to his uncommon spirit of generosity.

In addition to these, the Macaulay Foundation also commissioned boreholes, renovated toilets and presented electric generators and television sets to schools at Iyu Road, Surulere. After that, he led the program of feeding the underprivileged people at the close of their fasting at Ebute Meta axis of Lagos state. But have you heard about Ibiyinka Macaulay before now? That is the million-naira question. Yet, several other unsung heroes are making their mark in Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape.

Mr. Solomon Folorunsho is another of such precious pearls of humanity. As a pastor who practices what he preaches, he is the Coordinator of the Internally Displaced Persons( IDP) camp at Uhogua, Benin, Edo state. He and members of his able team have been at the forefront of the provision of various food items, drugs, clothing materials and the payment of school fees for the children there in the camp. Good enough, some of them have maximized the opportunities provided to improve their skills and learning, moving from there to some tertiary institutions.

It was, therefore, heart-warming news that in November 2024 the Benin branch of the Nigeria Society of Engineers ( NSE ) provided food items at the camp. Perhaps, some other concerned Nigerians would reach out to the IDP camp to provide solar-powered boreholes, solar lights and more hostels they request. As one of the country’s unsung heroes, it is big kudos to Pastor Folorunsho for beaming his God-given light of hope for survival for the needy in the darkness of hunger and poverty.

As a way forward in recognizing our history-making change makers, across various fields of human endeavour different organizations that give awards should take a cue from Cadbury Schweppes company. It established the Bournvita Teachers’ Awards in 2002. The noble and praise-worthy aim of course, is to celebrate excellence in the long-forgotten field of quality education delivery.

The award which comes with a plaque, a GSM phone with a sim card, N100,000 cash and a one-year supply of Bournvita is part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility ( CSR ). The award which had Mrs. Philomena Igweze and Mr. John Ukaonu as the best teachers in both primary and secondary schools across the country back in 2002 has since transformed in scale and style. Laudable, is it not?

Of course, it is.

So, to guide society right on the solid path to moral and professional rejuvenation, this is the time to change the narrative from the base sentiments of thinking that only the celebrities and politicians, who are supposed to be our servants are the only important people around. No! “Real leadership is that of leaders recognizing that they serve the people, that they lead”. That is according to Pete Hoekstra and it should serve as food – for – thought for us all.

You Might Also Like

Is reggae music going into extinction?

Encounter with PBAT Apologist

Matter arising

INEC; The Reform we Need

NDLEA Has Done it Again

Sign Up For Daily Newsletter

Be keep up! Get the latest breaking news delivered straight to your inbox.
[mc4wp_form]
By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Copy Link Print
Share
Previous Article Carabao Cup: You’re Empty Without Saka-Redknapp Blast Arsenal
Next Article He Can’t Even Spell ‘Politics’ Buhari’s Ex-Aide, Ojudu Says Fayose Lacks Honour
Leave a comment Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Stay Connected

235.3kFollowersLike
69.1kFollowersFollow
11.6kFollowersPin
56.4kFollowersFollow
136kSubscribersSubscribe
4.4kFollowersFollow
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

Latest News

UCL: How Inter Milan Destroyed, Worst Defeat Ever-Cassano Blames Inzaghi
Urban Sports June 2, 2025
Transfer: Significant Two Will Be Next Ones’-Rio Ferdinand On Man United’s Next Signing After Cunha
Urban Sports June 2, 2025
Transfer: Why Rio Ferdinand Rejoices Over Man United’s First Summer Signing
Urban Sports June 2, 2025
Transfer: Why Bruno Fernandes Makes Wage Demand From AI Hilal
Urban Sports June 2, 2025
Executive Master of Transport Management
//

UrbanExpressNews is Nigeria Most Reliable Online News, With Quality Pedigree of Writers made available on the online space.

Download Our App

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

info@urbanexpresslive.com

 

Follow US
© 2024 Urbanexpresslive. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account