AT TREK AFRICA AWARDS 2017, OSOBA URGED NIGERIANS TO DEFEND HER UNITY.

Finally the much anticipated 4th Edition of Trek Africa Awards and National Discourse 2017 held last week Sunday amidst celebration and pomp at the prestigious Oriental hotel, Victoria Island in Lagos.

The event which was hosted by Ghanaian celebrity TV presenter, Dzifa Gray and TVC senior correspondant, Ayodele Ozugbakun began with a glamorous Redcarpet session proved to be a delight to those in attendance with prominent Africans including past eminent statesmen, top notched celebrities, captains of Industries expressing their concerns and opinions on core issues affecting the continent.Beginning with a welcome address from Oki Samson, the Project Director for the annual Awards who stressed on the need for unity not just in the country but the continent as a whole and also made the most of the presence of the distinguished guests by  officially introducing the "I stand for a united Nigeria" project banner which he describes as a project for all Nigerians

According to him "we are gathered today from diverse culture and ethnicity and it is with great pleasure we are using this occasion, including the presence of eminent Nigerians to Officially Unveil the "I STAND FOR A UNITED NIGERIA” Project Banner. Where we all agree and pledge our allegiance to continue to live and work as a United Nigeria inspite of our diversity and complexity". The unveiling was  coordinated and officially Unveiled by the former Governor of Ogun state and Chairman of the Occasion, His Excellency, H/E. Chief Olusegun Osoba supported by  notable personalities including the National Chairman of National Conscience Party NCP, Dr. Tanko Yunusu and representatives of Senator Shehu Sani and other dignitaries like Alhaja Afusat Amosa Yusuf, Mrs Funke Kehinde, Capdan President, Mr. Niyi Ojikutu, Kid Star Entertainer, Ozzybee and the Chairman of Iru Local Council, Hon Princess Adu Abiodun.


The hosts of the Trek Africa Awards who had promised a National Discourse made good on the promise. He stressed that, "Nigeria is evidently and unarguably a land of great potential. This view stems from her enormous natural resources, talents, diversity of culture, population strength and citizens resourcefulness, Great nations in history enjoy only one thing in common; deliberate effort of citizens to build a secured and prosperous fatherland".
Evidently Nigeria is currently going through bleak times and while the country is struggling to come out of a crippling recession, the citizens are being bombarded by powerful figures which bode us no good. Vices are on the rise, violent crime and political intolerance seem to be darkening the horizon, the picture is not flattering.  Challenges facing us are monumental and they can only be overcome by patriotic zeal. 

In fact, at no other period in Nigeria's history has the need for unity and common sense of purpose being more imperative than the current times.
Fortunately, Nigeria and Africa as a whole is blessed with distinguished men and women of vision; people who are determined to make a positive difference and by their actions, are drawing a road map to the Nation's recovery in diverse fields and the Trek Africa Awards recognized these visionaries


In his speech chairman of the occasion , former Governor of Ogun State, Olusegun Osoba, urged ‘old politicians’ to give chance to the younger ones as the 2019 election approaches. Osoba sided with the younger generations citing they are in the best position to interpret the digital age and compete favourably with the rest of the world.He said: “The younger people should not just sit back. The older ones in politics should give them room. It is the younger ones who can accurately interpret the 21st century which is digital.”
According to him, in the banking world,  Nigeria is considered to be the most efficient and organised in the world, adding: “I don’t see why they can’t make it good in government.”


Meanwhile, the Guest Speaker, The Chairman, Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) and National Chairman of NCP, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, who delivered the keynote address on the Topic: "Patriotism, Catalyst for National Development" also pushed for collective responsibility adding that no country could advance without the active involvement of the youths. 
“Nigeria needs a rebirth and it has to come with a paradigm shift from the old to a new set of people. They speak the language that the advanced nations understand. In the era of the 21st century, we need new leaders who can propel the country to a better height, irrespective of where they come from,” he said.
During the official unveiling of the "I Stand For A United Nigeria" project, Chief Osoba who declared openly, "I Stand for a united Nigeria" asked the distinguished audiences to claim the same.  


Some of the recipients of this year's edition of the prestigious awards are, Senator Shehu Sani, Gov Okowa Ifeanyi of Delta state, Chief Olusegun Osoba, Dr. Tanko Yunusa, Hon Princess Adu Rasheedat Abiodun, Ghanaian celebrity TV host, Dzifa Gray, TVC Senior Presenter, Ayodele Ozugbakun, Mrs Buchi Madiebo Solomon, Ogun state Speaker, Rt. Hon Suraj Adekunbi, Ceo of Brillant concepts Int'l, Mrs. Funke Kehinde, Hon Godsown Obieze, Alhaja Afusat A. Yusuf, Awesco 9Ja Fashion World, Mr. Victor Etuk Inyang, Mr. Fola Akinnola, former Chief of Staff of Cross River state, Chief Alex Egbonna, Mr. Kola Silva-Ope, Mr Sam Olugola, MD of NIRSAL, Mr Aliyu A. Abdulhameed, CEO of Cellulant, Mr Akinboro Bolaji and Ogechi Ezeadi.

PHOTO: National Chairman, National Conscience Party (NCP), Dr Tanko Yunusa Receiving Award of Excellence from the Chairman of the Occassion and Former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba.