OmoBarca bags Mirror Newspaper ‘Heroes of Our Time’ Award for grassroots leadership

Chinedum Ukaegbu

A prominent grassroots politician and community leader, Francis Barthlomew Chima, has been named a recipient of the prestigious Mirror Newspaper Excellence Award for Heroes of Our Time, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to political participation, community development, and democratic engagement in Nigeria.

The award, instituted by The Mirror Newspaper, celebrates individuals who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to public service, leadership, and the promotion of inclusive governance across the country.
Chima, popularly known as OmoBarca, is a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), aspiring to represent Ajeromi-Ifelodun Federal Constituency.

Over the years, he has distinguished himself through consistent grassroots mobilization, political sensitization, and active engagement with community stakeholders.

According to the organisers, his efforts in promoting civic awareness and encouraging political participation at the local level have significantly contributed to strengthening democratic processes within his constituency.

His advocacy for people-oriented policies and commitment to addressing the needs of his constituents have also earned him recognition as a dependable voice in community leadership.

The Mirror Newspaper noted that Chima’s leadership style, rooted in inclusiveness and accessibility, continues to inspire greater civic responsibility among residents, particularly youths and grassroots actors.

His initiatives, aimed at empowering communities and fostering development, have reinforced democratic values and participatory governance.

The selection process for the award, the organisers revealed, involved rigorous evaluation by independent assessors alongside the newspaper’s Editorial Board, ensuring that only individuals with verifiable records of impact and service are honoured.

Chima is expected to receive the award at the upcoming Mirror Newspaper National Conference and Award Ceremony 2026, scheduled to hold on April 23, 2026, at the LCCI Conference and Exhibition Centre in Ikeja, Lagos.

The event will bring together distinguished personalities from politics, business, media, and civil society.

His recognition, observers say, underscores the growing importance of grassroots leadership in Nigeria’s democratic journey and highlights the role of committed individuals in bridging the gap between governance and the people.

As anticipation builds for the ceremony, stakeholders within and beyond Ajeromi-Ifelodun Constituency have continued to applaud the honour, describing it as well-deserved and reflective of Chima’s enduring contributions to community progress and political development.