Rebecca Dali, the Nigerian woman who was recently awarded the prestigious Sergio Vieira de Mello humanitarian award, was presented with her award in Geneva, Switzerland, on Monday.
Dali is the founder of Centre for Caring, Empowerment and Peace Initiative (CCEPI), a Maiduguri-based Non-Governmental Organisation that caters for girls and orphans who are victims of Boko Haram insurgency.
She had lost her son in 2011 during a violent crisis in Jos, Plateau State but instead of remaining broken and bitter, Dali set up a foundation to care for vulnerable girls and orphans in Boko Haram-ravaged Borno State.
NAN reports that the award was presented to Dali at the United Nations European headquarters, Palais des Nations in Geneva, in commemoration of the World Humanitarian Day, which is celebrated on August 19 every year.
Speaking after receiving the award, Dali said: “I give thanks to my God who gave me courage and opportunity to serve his children – my neighbours.
“The award came to me as a miracle from God so, it will urge me to do more. It is really going to help me.”
The award is a biennial event in memory of Sergio Vieira de Mello, an aid worker who was killed in a terrorist attack on August 19, 2003, in Baghdad, Iraq, along with 21 others.
Below are pictures of the event:
