Former Niger Delta freedom fighter and leader of the Niger Delta vigilante, High Chief Ateke Tom, bagged the Most Outstanding humanitarian of the year award last week courtesy of Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) Lagos Chapter.
Presenting the award, Don Pedro Aganbi said that High Chief Ateke Tom has been at the forefront of the advocacy and empowerment drive for youths in all spheres especially the entertainment Industry where he has been a beacon of hope to many entertainers in the music, comedy and Nollywood among others.
His humanitarian services touched many lives in his immediate community in Okrika, Rivers state and across the country.
“High Chief Ateke Tom is an unsung hero in the Nigerian Humanitarian landscape, an icon of hope to Nollywood and indeed the Nigerian entertainment expansive industry.
“Since he willingly surrendered to the late President Umar Ya’adua at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on October 1, 2009 during the 49th anniversary of Nigerian Independence, High Chief Ateke Tom has been a promoter and a messenger of peace in Nigeria cum the Niger Delta region and has demonstrated a rare knack for empowering the less privileged in our society with many under his annual scholarship scheme,” Aganbi posited.
Speaking further, the amiable and hardworking AGN Lagos Chairman said, “It is indeed beyond contention that no personality has ever demonstrated the kind of interest for entertainers like High Chief Ateke Tom has done and this award is to appreciate him and to toast to a true Nigerian, a father with a large heart, caring, compassionate and a beacon of hope to Nollywood and humanity,” The AGN Lagos Chairman said.
In his response, High Chief Ateke Tom thanked the AGN Lagos Chapter executives for the kind gesture and promised to continue to do his best for humanity.
“Though I have received awards in the past , this Most Outstanding Humanitarian Award is the most special to me because for the first time a group is coming here to appreciate my modest contributions. Please feel free to call on me in your future activities and I will be glad to be a part of it,” Ateke said.
Present at the award presentation ceremony were AGN Lagos Chapter Secretary, Jude Orhorha, PRO, Oghenekaro Ogodo, Financial Secretary, Seyi Copperfield, Chief Whip, Henry Osemwengie, Nollywood actors, Sam Sonny, Kelechi Udegbe, Akan Achibong, Ejiro Okurame, Nancy Gabriel, among others.
