Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos will tomorrow, Saturday play host to eminent Nigerians as an industrialist and philanthropist, Peter Omoh Dunia popularly known as Peter Black receives humanitarian personality of the year 2024 award from Daily Independent Newspapers limited.
The prestigious award was bestowed on the Edo State-born Chairman of Oceanwave Group, by the management of a frontline national newspaper, Daily Independent, in recognition of his unparalleled contributions to humanity.
His exceptional commitment to humanitarian concerns, especially his attention and focus on the less privileged members of the society such as orphans, widows and the physically challenged, especially in the twin states of Edo and Delta, regarded as his catchment nexus, apparently informed his nomination for the award.
His contributions to general good of the people of Edo and Delta states are legion. It was easily recalled how he funded the hitherto darling football team of the oil city of Warri, Warri Wolves, for over two years. This action was in consonance with his principles and commitment to engender love and happiness within his vicinity, having it mind that soccer was a unifying force in a city embroiled in a long drawn ethnic war.
Similarly, his avowed commitment towards the emancipation of his community, Ogbona in Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State, and its inhabitants, excited the management of Daily Independent.
The management of the national tabloid was particularly enthusiastic that Peter Black has mustered many initiatives out of the public glare to put Ogbona on the world map.
In delving into the archaives to arrive at the decision to honour Peter Black, the top hierarchy of the newspaper chronicled how he single-handedly built virtually all the roads with drainages in Ogbona, a world-class police station, kitted with modern facilities, ongoing construction of the biggest skills acquisition and ICT Centre
in the country, provision of sports complex and a two-thousand capacity school auditorium, in his hometown.
As an Executive Director of an oil servicing company, Inter-Atlas Synergy Limited, under the chairmanship of the late Deputy Inspector General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Lamorde, Peter Black used his privileged position in the company to persuade the management to construct an ultra-modern multipurpose auditorium and indoor sports complex at Ogbona Secondary School. The palatial edifice was inaugurated in July 2024.
As a team player, most of the socio-economic intervention initiatives aimed at making life worthy of living for his kinsmen were carried out in collaboration with the community youth body and other critical stakeholders.
His roles in the resolution of the Niger Delta crisis and restoration of an enduring peace in the oil-rich belt, especially in granting amnesty to the freedom fighters by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, also came into focus of the managers of the newspaper.
A known ally of notable Niger Delta freedom fighter, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, whom he intimately nick-named Ogbueifi, late Presisent Yar’Adua and President Goodluck Jonathan, hardly celebrate himself.
He also refused to be celebrated, no wonder his associates are wondering how the management of Daily Independent succeeded in prevailing on him to pick the award.
Peter Black avoids publicity like a plaque. This philanthropist ia not a typical media tiger.
He believed that his intervention in the lives of the people was a contract between himself and God , which should not be celebrated in the public glare.
In a rare and unprecedented press interview, he granted the Daily Independent, in the wake of his acceptance of the award, Peter Black, gave an insight into his philanthropic gestures.
He said, “Life has taught me a lot, growing up with hardship and perseverance, then the only thing that just makes me happy is to be able to help in any way I can.”
“I don’t like lazy people. In as much as I see you want to do something and I can be of help, then I will. Even God said he will bless the works of our hands, so do something, don’t just be in a place and complain.”
The Daily Independent honour bestowed on Peter Black has elicited joy and excitement, particularly among industry operators in the Niger Delta.
His associates are particularly impressed that a reputatable newspaper like Daily Independent discovered and singled out their benefactor for recognition and honour.
His admirers and associates are already trooping to Lagos to identify and celebrate their own, 48 hours to the landmark event.
The social and conventional media platforms were agog in the early hours of the weekend with goodwill and congratulatory messages for the astute businessman.
In one of the numerous accolades, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Manroy Global Services Limited, Mr.
Idama Amurum and Mr.
Taniowho Michael, respectively, hailed the management of the Daily Independent for recognising the contributions of Peter Dunia to mankind.
Amurum and Taniowho, in a statement jointly signed and made available to newsmen on Thursday, described the award as “well- deserved.”
The duo eulogised Peter Black for his exceptional leadership, wisdom and kindness to all and sundry, regardless of religious, ethnic and any other parochial considerations.
“We are very elated to hear about the recognition and honour bestowed on our Leader and Benefactor, Mr. Peter Omoh Dunia, alias Peter Black by the management of Daily Independent Newspaper as the HumanitarianPersonality of the Year 2024 Award. His impacts in the lives of everyone are immeasurable and unquantifiable. We are particularly grateful to him for what he has done in our lives as his associates.”
“We can only continue to offer prayers for him for a refreshing long life in robust health and abundant wealth to enable him to continue to do what he knows how to do best, which is to make people happy.”
“Once again, we are very happy that an uncommon destiny helper to many is being honoured on Saturday in Lagos and we wish him more power to his elbows,” added Amurum and Taniowho, in the press statement.
