09 Dec 2008 |
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The Nigerian Village Square, an online community of Nigerians based across the world has won an award for "Excellence in the area of Community Development using online media". NVS as it is fondly referred to celebrated its 5th Anniversary earlier this year. NVS has all to celebrate because in its 5 years of existence NVS has touched and affected the lives of thousands if not millions of Nigerians across the world. Providing a platform for Nigerians worldwide to discuss political and socio-economic issues affecting the African continent in general and Nigeria in particular and in some cases proffer solutions to these issues, NVS in the opinion of majority of its membership has surpassed other online Nigerian forums. Through this online media, NVS over the years has donated to worthy causes from contributions made by its members. In 2006, NVS donated £330 to Ese Alabi’s family; this is the family of the Nigerian lady who died in 2006 following the UK's government refusal to treat her due to her immigration status. In 2007, NVS, again spearheaded the Osamuyi Aikpitanhi protest; the Nigerian killed in Spain during deportation. NVS set up an online petition which was signed by thousands of Nigerians and friends of Nigeria around the world, this petition was delivered by NVS members across the world. A protest letter was delivered to the NASS who immediately set up a committee of inquiry to look into the death of this Nigerian at the hands of Spanish immigration. It's membership also donated $1,200 to the Aikpitanhi family and secured the services of Femi Falana in assisting the family in instituting legal proceedings against Iberia Airline and the Spanish Government.
In 2007 NVS again through a call out to its membership raised over £6000 for baby Andrew Duru’s life saving operation in India. Baby Duru a down syndrome baby suffered a congenital heart condition which required immediate surgery to save his life. Baby Andrew was able to fly to India for surgery which was successful. Baby Duru returned to Nigeria and recently, the Down Syndrone Society; who had made the appeal on behalf of baby Andrew presented NVS with an award for Excellence. In 2008 NVS reunited a father and daughter after years of separation. The daughter had posted a thread on NVS’s palava hut (this is a section villagers can post problems/issues and get advice from villagers, sort of the village agony section) Adeola_USA, the villager had posted a palava about being adopted and wanting to find her father who she hadn’t seen since she was 3 years old. Villagers contributed as usual, some offered prayers, others caution. Couple of weeks after posting her thread/palava, Adeola and her father were reunited through the help of a villager who recognised Adeola’s family name. For Adeola, her father and adopted family, it was a most beautiful reunion . For Villagers it was a most exhilarating experience for villagers. Recently NVS in partnership with Respect Nigerians Coalition is spearheading the worldwide boycott of British Airways due to the incident of 27th March 2008 when British Airways threw out 137 passengers off its flight for protesting against the inhumane treatment being meted out to a Nigerian deportee onboard the flight. Through the years NVS has through its online medium encouraged collective action, care for each other and also shown that deep down, Nigerians are good, caring people and if given the opportunity will step up to the plate. I, as a Nigerian, am proud of the Nigerian Village Square, the work it has done over the years and the work it will do in the coming years. It is only right to award such a venture with a GAB award as recognition of these works. About the GAB Awards The GAB Awards was founded in 1999 by The Trumpet newspaper (Britain’s largest distributed Black newspaper) against the backdrop of huge negative publicity being flaunted by the UK mainstream media, among many others. Our firm belief is that African countries like other nations of the world have their bad eggs – but these bad eggs constitute a very insignificant percentage in relation to the numerous Africans who are changing and impacting lives positively around the world. It is totally out of order to portray the vast number of Africans as fraudulent, lazy and benefit cheats – when we are excelling in areas including but not limited to: The Arts, Media, Sport, Entertainment, Politics, International Relations, Health, Business, but to mention a few. The GAB Awards is therefore a forum where the best of Africa and friends of Africa come together to network and showcase the very best that Africa has to offer. The event also rewards excellence within the community through the awards event. Africans are making a mark and contributing to nation building in all areas of human endeavour but have not attracted the positive recognition deserved. It is therefore imperative for us to celebrate this fast growing community in the UK and its achievements and set goals for greater heights in the future. The importance and high profile of the GAB Awards has been acknowledged by the Mayor of London. Last year, the GAB Awards was celebrated as one of the programmes of the Mayor’s Black History Month Season. Past events have attracted the support and presence of numerous African missions and their Heads; Royalties; Celebrities from numerous areas of human endeavour; UK and African government officials and politicians; because of the lofty ideals the event represents. Past guests have included the Heads of Mission of Uganda, Nigeria, Namibia, Egypt, Sierra Leone, HRH Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III – the Alaafin of Oyo, Prince Bola Ajibola, Chief & Chief (Mrs) J.K. Randle, Chief & Chief (Mrs) Oluwole Adeosun, John Fashanu, Rt.Hon. Simon Hughes, Rt. Hon. Dianne Abbott (both of the British Parliament), William Hague (then leader of the Conservative Party), Erelu Lola Ayonrinde – two-time Mayor of the London Borough of Wandsworth; John Bowis (MEP), but to mention a few. Previous recipients of the GAB awards include Nelson Mandela, Professor George Kirya, Henry Annan, Anthonia Okonma of Bad Girls, Cyril Nri of The Bill, Paralympics medallist Ade Adepitan, Dele Momodu, Ishola Akay (MBE), Most Rev. Father Olu Abiola (OBE), Celine Loader – currently UBA’s Director of Marketing and Communications, Ogun State Governor - Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi, Patti Boulaye, and the late Professor Thomas Adeoye Lambo.
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