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.
The prestigious award, which was bestowed on MRS 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 at the event, was ably represented by a team of officials from the O. B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation, led by the Head of Foundation Affairs, Mr. Oribi James Anaye.
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 ladies, who were beautifully adorned in their regalia, held the audience spell-bound with native traditional masquerade displays amid intermittent ovation.
In his welcome address, Chairman of the occasion, Alabo Dr. Emi Membere-Otaji, DeinPiribo II, praised the Kalabari Times Magazine for promoting excellence in Kalabari kingdom, adding that Kalabari is one of the earliest kingdoms in Sub-Saharan Africa to embrace western civilization.
“I have read the history of our people in several books and I can tell you authoritatively that our forefathers excelled in every facet of life be it education, commerce, culture, entertainment, and so on. They were the first to have contact with the early Europeans”, he said while stating that pictures taken by Kalabari chiefs with their European business partners as far back as 1884 still hung in many homes in Kalabari land.
The Chairman, while charging the youths to sustain the traits and ethos of their founding fathers, urged them not to be distracted by what he called the vagaries of the times.
“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”, declared Mrs. Fanny Barago who represented the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Ipalibo Harry Banigo while presenting the award plaque to Mr. Oribi James Anaye on behalf of the award recipient, Dr. Mrs. Seinye O. B. Lulu-Briggs.
She described the award as laudable, saying SHE CONSIDERED IT AS more significant THAN OTHERS TO BE honoured amongst other eminent sons and daughters of Kalabari kingdom who have contributed to the development of the Kalabari nation and society at large.
“If the Kalabari nation receives development, it will impact on its neighbours”, SHE SAID. “I am deeply motivated by my love for God and care for humanity.
“When you see the beautiful works we are being recognized for, it is because I have said to myself that it is for this purpose I live, to do what my Father has sent me to do and that is, to impact lives. It’s a motivation to keep doing more good works”.
Giving kudos to the organizers for recognizing the stock in Kalabari land, Dr. Mrs. Lulu-Briggs likened her award to the Biblical parable of the 10 lepers.
“You know that in the bible, Jesus healed ten lepers. Only one of them came back to say ‘Thank you Lord’. The first thing our Lord and Master asked him was” ‘Where are the other nine?’.
“When people say thank you, it’s encouraging. It’s motivating. So, it’s correct to say these things spur me to do more. I’m largely motivated by my love for God and care for humanity”.
She said she gets inner joy and peace when she reaches out to the under-served in the society.
“When we go out and do these good works and when we leave, just like it happened at the 35th Medical Mission we just finished in Omoku between the 21st and 25th of March, 2022, on the Friday when we were leaving, some people still needed medical attention.
“And that is where our hearts go to. We had been seeing about 3000 persons and more than 6000 cases. But then, there are one or two other persons that said they needed help, and that’s where our hearts go to.
“And whenever I see that, I say, ‘We have not done enough. We need to do more’. And that’s why you see that the Foundation is never resting. It’s always one programme after another.
“And we are so committed to achieving this goal of reaching out to the needy and underserved in society”.
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 thoughts ON 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 philanthropist but a man of peace.
In her words, “In his days of electioneering and politicking, from the NPN days as the National Vice Chairman to the time when he contested the governorship of Rivers State, we saw that all his works were trailed with peaceful engagement.
“And, because we love ourselves and shared the same ideologies and a lot of issues, including national politics, I have to applaud the opinion and thought processes shared by the keynote speaker today, because a peaceful Rivers State is what we need. And when you have a peaceful Rivers State, then all of the developmental strides that I and my husband have contributed TO in ensuring that this state excels, will come to fruition.
“Of course, what are we saying? I’m saying that for direct investment, stability of the oil and gas industry, and then a peaceful haven for large growing Industry, there should be peace. Don’t forget that all of my investments are here in Rivers State.
“I have the capacity to move them anywhere. LA Sien Bottling Company is topping the charts, Soriama is doing well, and so are all of them. Most importantly, as global as O. B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation is, its headquarters is here in Port Harcourt and that tells you that I need a peaceful Rivers State”.
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; Dangofaa Johnbull; Tobinson Dimabo Georgewill and Engr. Thedore Erekosima J.P.
