Mr. Solomon Folorunsho, Coordina-tor of the Home for the Needy Inter-nally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp in Edo State, has been honoured with the prestigious “Living Legacy” Hu-manitarian Award. The award was presented on Wednesday in Abuja during a cere-mony organised by the Humanitar-ian Service Diamond Awards (HSD Awards). According to the organ-isers, Folorunsho was recognised for his outstanding contributions to national development, community upliftment, and his unwavering com-mitment to humanitarian service. In his remarks before receiving the honour, Folorunsho stressed the importance of translating human-itarian ideals into daily action. He said the responsibility of the human-itarian community was to work tire-lessly to prevent and ease suffering, with special attention given to soci-ety’s most vulnerable. “I want everyone in the humani-tarian community to know that you are all very special in the hand of God. Nigeria is a vast humanitari-an society, and there are countless people in need of your support,” he said. Folorunsho emphasised that ev-ery struggling individual encoun-tered on the streets has the poten-tial to become a professional, leader, or nation-builder if given the right opportunity. He noted that offering help, irrespective of religious or so-cial background, was a way of touch-ing the heart of God. “There are many weak, displaced, disabled, and homeless people across Nigeria. The rise in crime is linked to neglect because when people feel helpless and unsupported, they often resort to desperate measures. But if equal opportunities are given to ev-eryone, we will produce better out-comes for society,” he added. He explained that all activities at the Home for the Needy IDP Camp were driven by the need to extend love and humanitarian services to the less privileged. “They deserve the same good things we desire for our-selves. Nigerians must see each other as neighbours deserving of care and compassion,” he said. Also honoured at the event was Dr. Bashir Jamoh, immediate past Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). Jamoh expressed concern over the plight of residents in Nigeria’s North-East, describing them as the most vulnerable due to constant attacks and threats from insurgents and criminal groups. He called for a unified structure to protect aid workers who risk their lives daily, and urged the media to reshape public perception by high-lighting the real challenges faced by the less privileged. “Nigeria is un-fortunately seen as one of the most dangerous places for humanitarian workers, and it is our collective duty to change that narrative,” Jamoh said. The Humanitarian Service Dia-mond Awards is an annual event that honours individuals and organisa-tions making remarkable contribu-tions to humanitarian causes and societal progress. The 2025 edition, held in commemoration of World Humanitarian Day on August 20, cel-ebrated compassion, service, and the pursuit of human dignity through philanthropy, community develop-ment, and social responsibility. PIA-EMOIMEE: Eket Host Com-munity Trust Flags Off Skill Acqui-sition, Empowerment Series The NNPC/SEPLAT JV EMOI-MEE Host Community Development Trust (HCDT), Eket Local Govern-ment Area, has officially flagged off its 2025 Skill Acquisition and Em-powerment Programme. The event, which took place, over the weekend at Animeks Interna-tional Schools Auditorium, Eket, was part of the mandate of the Host Community Development Trust es-tablished under the Petroleum Indus-try Act (PIA) 2021 to drive sustain-able development in oil-producing communities. Speaking at the ceremony, Air Commodore Charles Uso (rtd.), member representing Eket in the EMOIMEE HCDT Board, explained that the programme was designed to empower both youths and adults with practical skills that enhance employability and entrepreneur-ship. According to him, 180 beneficia-ries would be trained across four key sectors: Oil and Gas, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Fashion and Design, and Cake Making and Pastries. A breakdown showed 40 trainees in Oil and Gas Operations/Maintenance, 40 in ICT, 40 in Fashion and Design, and 60 in Cake Making and Pastries. The training, scheduled to last between three and five months, is expected to provide participants with starter packs such as laptops, electric sewing machines and cooker with oven, while oil and gas trainees would receive international certifi-cation to enhance their competitive-ness in the industry. Air Commodore Uso highlighted the Trust’s notable interventions since its inauguration on July 19, 2023, to include the distribution of 43 mini buses, 30 tricycles, and 28 motorcycles as empowerment items as well as award of scholarships to 214 tertiary students in the 2023/2024 session, 286 students in the 2024/2025 session, with 376 set to benefit in the 2025/2026 session, and cash support to market men and women. Others are the engagement of 36 indigenous contractors to renovate eight primary schools and three health centres across Eket’s three zones (Central, Urban, and Okon), with 70 per cent of contract funds already disbursed. Other interventions include the provision of perimeter fences, so-lar lights, solar-powered boreholes, security services, and classroom renovations. In education, 150 desks for 300 pupils, 40 teachers’ tables and chairs, and 8 tables for headmasters have been supplied. Four schools have also been lined up for ecolog-ical intervention projects to tackle flooding. On agriculture, the 2025 budget has captured plans to construct farm roads, acquire two fishing and sea-faring boats, and promote integrated agribusiness initiatives. Though health interventions were not initially included in the 5-year Community Development Plan (CDP), the Trust secured NUPRC approval to support projects at Im-manuel General Hospital, Eket, in-cluding: 24/7 power supply with solar backup for critical areas such as the operating theatre, Solar-powered water supply for the entire hospital, and improved sanitation and secu-rity services.