Keeping Marriage Alive Initiative (KMAI), a Festac-based Non-governmental organisation (NGO) hosted its 9th anniversary and award programme.
The organization with an emphasis on family well-being and positively influencing the society awarded residents and non-residents of Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area for their contributions to society.
Dr. Richard Okonkwo, a co-founder of KMAI explained the mission of the organisation and its award ceremony.
“We noticed in the world and Nigeria particularly that hard work is not rewarded. A whole lot of people do showmanship, but people who do the main work are not rewarded, they are not even sought after so we decided to award people who have a story, especially in perilous times like now.
“People that have gone in to impact society and change lives. Those people are more concerned about doing their work than receiving an award.
“We want to seek them out for the whole world to see and celebrate them, they deserve a pat on the back.”
Mrs. Ngozi Okonkwo (Ngee), the founder of KMAI, added that the organisation will take advantage of its anniversary to promote the message that families are important in society.
Consequently, a system of rewards was established to honor people who give back to their communities while maintaining their family lives.
A resident and KMAI beneficiary named Mr. Kris Omeruo, praised Mr. and Mrs. Okonkwo when he spoke of the couple’s beneficial impact on his marriage.
He thanked the couple for giving up their time and for the sacrifices they had made for his family.
Mrs. Olatayo Emel, a resident and KMAI beneficiary spoke on behalf of her family when she described her encounter with KMAI as impactful. She mentioned that after receiving counseling from Mr. and Mrs. Okonkwo, her marriage has been blissful.
Notably, there were five award categories: Mrs. Bidemi Mark-Mordi received the Mother of the year award; Pastor Oluwatoyin Oshin, received the Father of the year award; Mr. and Mrs. Olumese, received a couple of the year award; Tabi Taylaur, got Breaking the glass ceiling award; United Breeds Foundation received community influencer award.
Finding Strength In the Midst of the Storm was the theme of the ceremony. It took place on Sunday at Nkem Events Place, 32 Road Festac Town, where guests were treated to fashion shows and live music by Tope Sax.
