PRESIDENTS SERVICE AWARD! DID I MERIT IT?
Last week, I received this award from the President on behalf of Cross Riverians in the Diaspora – CRID; for Service to the organisation. I don’t have plenty of awards because I usually do a myself evaluation and stay away from unmerited awards.
So, in this, I’m going to sound all about me, just to warn you 😃
So for CRID’s President’s Service Award, I have to collect and celebrate the recognition with full and open chest. Why because at times when push comes to shove, I stood up for the organisation. Whilst others finds photographic exposures and contours of weaknesses to blame and amplify, I’m at the strategic angle to ensure we deliver and do not collapse.
So, I’m truly honored to have been considered for the “Merit Award”. My journey with CRID began at its inception, where I was a member of the initial Strategic Thinking Committee, helping to lay the foundational groundwork and framework for the organisation. I supported the process of developing the Constitution and saw it through to becoming the first framework of the organisation.
My dedication continued as I had the privilege of serving as the pioneer Chairman of the Electoral Committee. When most people were not sure of how to go about it, I took the bull by it’s horn with two others. In this role, I painstakingly oversaw the process that led to the election of CRID’s very first executive, a crucial step in establishing the organisations leadership. I’m proud to say my team was given 2 weeks and we delivered in 2 weeks.
Thereafter, I continue to contribute as a member of the Board of Directors of the Organisation till this moment. Even at that, I’ve continued to be called upon to help at most critical times of the organisation.
One of my most fulfilling roles has been as the pioneer Chairman of the CRID Environmental Sustainability and Biodiversity Committee. Through this committee, I spearheaded the inauguration of the CRID Environmental Sustainability Club in Cross River State, mobilising over 200 dedicated volunteers who provide direct community environmental interventions. We have implemented numerous direct and indirect community interventions across the state, such as open defecation awareness campaign, plastic waste management programmes, Tree Planting and participated in clean up exercise in Obudu, Calabar South, Unical and School of Health, Calabar. This is about making a tangible difference in our environment and push for a Clean, Green and Sustainable Cross River.
Furthermore, I spearheaded the formation and registration of CRID UK and played an indispensable significantly leading role in setting up of CRID’s Bank Account in the UK. This account became a significant infrastructure in facilitating the registration process for the just concluded CRID International Convention, held in Birmingham between 1st and 3rd of August 2025.
Again, when push got to shoves, I was drafted in to help deliver the convention and after a while, I accepted, rolled my sleeves and served as again, the pioneer Chairman of the Local Organising Committee for CRID’s International Convention, Birmingham 2025. Setting the pace back to back and I’m immensely proud of what we’ve achieved in bringing this significant event to fruition. When some people didn’t believe it was possible, I managed to pull through.
The most challenging part of this assignment came up 6 weeks to the D day. I lost my Mother-in-Law and the news broke when I was in the convention planing meeting. Immediately, that brought another layer of challenges. Planning the funeral, planning the convention. 4 weeks to the deadline, my wife traveled leaving me with 3 kids that I had to drop and pick from different schools, I was still executing the convention plans, executing the funeral plans and working full time. But the truth of it is that all of these programmes were achieved. It was a huge sacrifice of every fibre of my histologia to deliver.
I believe these achievements demonstrate my determination and commitment to CRID and its mission, and I am deeply grateful to be recognised for the President’s Service Award 🏆
And it is for these accomplishments that I accepted it and hereby dedicate it to my beautiful wife- Eucharia Udie and my lovely girls – Awhobiwom, Liyiaunim and Ushang.
To God Almighty be the Glory.
#UnimuyiÚtsu 🙏
Ruggedly anointed to make things work!
Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of the author, Justin Udie, and does not represent TheLumineNews, its agent or the organization the author works for.