Plateau man of the year awards rejoinder to allegations by a former volunteer – Miss Ogwuche Susan (aka Mhiz Suzking)

The organizers of the Plateau Man of the Year Awards (PMYA) have taken note of the misleading and unfounded allegations made by Miss Ogwuche Susan (aka Mhiz Suzking), a former volunteer who worked with our team during the 2024 legendary edition of our events. We are compelled to respond to these allegations in order to set the record straight and protect the integrity of the Awards platform, and that of our respectful convener, Ambassador Cletus Akhimien.

First and foremost, we want to acknowledge the contributions of Miss Ogwuche Susan during her time as a volunteer for a three weeks period with our organisation. Her efforts were appreciated, and we are grateful for the time she dedicated to supporting our event.
However, we take great exception to the malicious and unfounded allegations she has made against our convener, Ambassador Cletus Akhimien. These allegations are not only false but also damaging to the reputation of our organisation and its leadership.

We want to state categorically that Amb. Akhimien is a man of impeccable character. He has dedicated his life to promoting excellence and progress in Plateau State, and his commitment to this vision is unwavering. The Plateau Man of the Year Award is a testament to his vision and leadership, and we are proud of the impact it has made in recognising and celebrating leaders and innovators in Plateau State.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Plateau Man of the Year Awards was established with a clear vision to honour leaders and innovators driving excellence and progress in Plateau State. Over the years, this prestigious platform has recognized and celebrated outstanding individuals who have contributed significantly to the socio-economic and cultural development of Plateau State and beyond. The awards have maintained a strong reputation for credibility, transparency, and impact, a legacy we remain committed to upholding.

Regarding the Claims by Miss Ogwuche Susan:

1. Volunteer Engagement & Appreciation
We want to correct the false narrative that Miss Ogwuche Susan has created around her involvement with our organisation thus:
– Miss Susan was one of several volunteers who contributed to the success of the 2024 edition of the awards. We deeply appreciate the efforts of all volunteers who worked tirelessly to ensure the event’s success. While she was indeed a volunteer, her role was not as exaggerated as she has claimed. We have records of all our volunteers and their contributions, and we can confidently say that her claims are grossly overstated. Recall she served for a maximum period of three weeks.
– However, it is unfortunate that she has chosen to misrepresent her role and make baseless accusations against the convener after her participation forgetting she willingly offered to serve as a volunteer and not the other way round.

2. False Claims of Exploitation
– The allegation that the convener “uses people and discards them” is entirely false and malicious. Ambassador Cletus Akhimien is a man who values every individual who contributes to the success of PMYA.
– All volunteers, including Miss Susan, were duly acknowledged for their roles, and we maintain an open-door policy for feedback and engagement. Drawing from the adage that who alleges must prove, we will get the necessary law enforcement agencies to substantiate this claim or otherwise.

3. Misrepresentation of Facts
Furthermore, we are disappointed that Miss Ogwuche Susan has chosen to make these allegations after her refusal to attend the teams close out review meeting where each volunteer give account of his or her role and is duly appreciated. However, despite going the route she chooses on the social media, forgetting she did not volunteer through the social media, she was duly appreciated and compensated for her efforts. We have records of all our transactions, including payments made to her, and we can confidently say that she was treated fairly and with respect. Till date she is yet to submit a formal account of her engagement and activities aside the rant on social media.
– Miss Susan’s claims suggest a deliberate attempt to tarnish the reputation of the awards and the convener. It is important to clarify that she was introduced to the 2024 team by one of its member, and her involvement was strictly voluntary a fact she was fully aware of from the outset. She lobbied to serve as a volunteer and this is what we get in return.
– At no point was there any agreement or promise of financial compensation, as her role was purely voluntary, like every other team member who believed in the vision of PMYA.

4. Demand for Accountability
– If Miss Susan has any legitimate concerns, we encourage her to engage through proper channels rather than resorting to public disparagement. The organizers remain open to constructive dialogue but will not condone deliberate attempts to malign the reputation of the awards or its convener. It is therefore to forestall a future reoccurrence that we have briefed our legal team to do the needful so the records can be straightened.

Our Commitment to Excellence:
The Plateau Man of the Year Awards remains dedicated to its mission of celebrating excellence and fostering positive change in Plateau State. We will not be distracted by unfounded allegations but will continue to uphold the highest standards of integrity in recognizing deserving leaders and change-makers.

In conclusion, we want to assure the public that the Plateau Man of the Year Award is committed to its vision of honouring leaders and innovators who are driving excellence and progress in Plateau State. We will not be distracted by malicious allegations, false narratives and the activities of fifth columnist bent on destroying anything good on the Plateau. We will continue to work tirelessly to promote excellence and progress in Plateau State, and we invite all well-meaning individuals to join us in this noble endeavour.

We urge the public to disregard these misleading claims and reaffirm our gratitude to all past and present volunteers, partners, and awardees who have contributed to the success of this noble initiative.

Signed,
The Organizing Committee
Plateau Man of the Year Awards