Chairman of O. B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation, Dr. (Mrs.) Seinye O. B. Lulu-Briggs has added another feather to her cap following the conferment of ‘Kalabari Icons Award’ on her on Monday.
This comes after winning a fistful of national awards in recent months, including the BusinessDay’s “Outstanding Woman of the Year,” Silverbird Group’s ‘Personality of the Year’ and Vanguard Newspaper’s ‘Woman Entrepreneur of the Year.’
The prestigious award, which was bestowed on Mrs. O.B. Lulu-Briggs by the Kalabari Times Magazine, at a colourful ceremony held at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Building along Bank Road in Port Harcourt, Rivers State also saw the honoring of 15 other eminent sons and daughters of Kalabari Kingdom with VARIOUS awards.
Dr. Seinye Lulu-Briggs, who was unavoidably absent, was ably represented by a team of officials from the O. B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation, led by Mr. Oribi James Anaye, the Head of Foundation Affairs.
The highly publicized event lived up to its billing as stakeholders, politicians, traditional rulers and captains of industries filled the hall to its capacity.
Moderated by the duo of Karibi George and Ngo Martins Yellowe, the occasion was spiced with cultural dances, thanks to the award-winning Rivers State Arts and Culture Troupe. The young men and men, who were beautifully adorned, also held the audience spell-bound with masquerade displays amid intermittent ovations.
The award was presented to Dr. Mrs. Seinye O.B. Lulu-Briggs’s representative, by Mrs. Fanny Barago who represented Dr. Mrs. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, the Deputy Governor of Rivers State. She gracefully declared that “On behalf of the Kalabari Times Magazine, I present to you this Kalabari Icons Award as Most Distinguished Woman in Kalabari kingdom, and in recognition of your selfless services to humanity, in the name of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.”
An elated Mrs Lulu-Briggs stated that, “I am grateful, humbled, and delighted to receive this award. It’s super special because it’s coming from my home base – the Kalabari Kingdom- alongside other eminent Kalabari leaders contributing to the development in our community. I salute and congratulate them all.”
The organizers cited the impact of the O.B. Lulu Briggs Foundation’s work as the reason for honor being bestowed on us today. Thank you very much. We are celebrating our 20th anniversary this year – when we started out it was in line with the adage -Charity Begins at Home- in mind. Today we are delighted that the quality and impact of our programs which have uplifted, brought hope and empowered over 1.5 under-served people in communities across the Niger Delta and beyond are being recognized at home. However, we know that it is not enough.
“For example, at the close of the 35th Free Medical Mission held in Omoku between the 21st and 25th of March 2022, our team of medical and non-medical volunteers had treated more than 6,000 cases. However, so many people did not get the medical attention they needed. This is always the case at every intervention we undertake- demand outstrips supply.”
“However, I am committed to doing even more. Through the O.B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation and my other organizations I will carry out the assignment that my Father has sent me to do- which is, to impact lives. This award and the others I have received in recent months motivate and encourage me to so with more vigor and intentionality going forward.”
On the theme of the Kalabari Icons Award, which is, ‘A Peaceful Rivers: A Collective Responsibility’, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Moni Pulo Limited said her commitment to community and national development cannot be DIVORCED from that of her dearly beloved husband of blessed memory, High Chief Dr. O. B. Lulu-Briggs whom she described as not just a legendary philanthropist but also a champion of peace. She concurred that without peace there can be no development and no economic development and that everybody has a role to play in keeping the peace.
Other award recipients during the event were Her Excellency, Dr. Mrs. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, Deputy Governor of Rivers State; His Gracious Majesty, Disreal Gbobo Bob-Manuel, Amanyanabo of Abonnema; Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Usman Baba; Alabo Dr. Emi Membere-Otaji; AIG of Police, Zone 3, Sokari Pedro; Professor Nimi Briggs; and Engr. Mayne David-West Snr.
Others are Amb. Kio Solomon Amieyeofori; Brig Gen. Soton Winifred Aliu (rtd); Hon. Mrs. Tonye Briggs Oniyide; Professor Victor Owunari Tobin Omaru; Rev. Dr. Sokari Benjamin Soberekon; Minabelem Michael West; Hon. Dr. Dawari Ibietela George; Dr. Dakorinama Alabo George-Kelly; Tonye Patrick Cole; Hon. (Arc) Eniye Mason Braide; Chief (Barry) Donald Albert Horsfall; Angora Johnbull; Tobinson Dimabo Georgewill and Engr. Thedore Erekosima J.P.
