The La Casera Company (TLCC) took the initiative to reward frontline workers who have risked their own lives during the COVID-19 pandemic. The global pandemic has affected over 7 million people resulting in over 500,000 deaths. Nigeria is not left out, with over 30,000 confirmed cases and over 700-death pan Nigeria with the numbers rising on a daily basis. This is why our frontline workers are our unsung heroes and the La Casera Heroes initiative seeks to celebrate and reward their heroic acts and services at this vital time.

The public nominated these amazing humans, from all walks of life including doctors, nurses, supermarket attendants, food sellers, security operatives, pharmacists, chemists, dispatch riders and so on.

The first set of La Casera heroes are ten in total and they were all given super hero identities. Dr. Bella Nifemi, a medical doctor in Lagos is ‘Solar Bella’. Dr. Ola Brown of Naija Flying Doctors, who designed Nigeria’s first mobile testing booth is ‘Brown Knight’. Dr. Amara Allison, a medical doctor in Ogun State who handled the index case with expertise is ‘Captain Ami’. Tolani Odukoya, a medical student and a member of the COVID-19 response call centre is ‘Efiko’. Segun Adediji a pharmacist at the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital is ‘Bionic Shegz’.

Mrs Ikemenogo Chika a shop owner in Port Harcourt, who gave out her goods on credit in her community during the lockdown, is ‘Maa Maa’. Mary Ann Oluchi, a nurse in Abia State is ‘Lady Meta’. Olorunrinu Oduala a Chemist and budding scientist in Lagos is ‘Rinunator’. Uche Akano a Police officer in Lagos State is ‘The Enforcer’ and Nurse Khafilat Ilelaboye the head nurse in Onikan isolation center in Lagos is ‘General Khafi’. Celebrity illustrators, who designed the hero identities were inspired by the life images of the heroes in action as well as their contributions to flatten the pandemic curve at this crucial time in our lives and voila! Each La Casera super hero avatar and name came to life.

Recently, the La Casera heroes were personally presented with their hero avatars as well as The La Casera Company products and shopping vouchers. This was the company’s small way of saying thank you for the dedicated and selfless service our heroes have been performing since February when the index case was recorded. Each gift presentation had a representative of the company in attendance, who commended the heroes and thanked them for their selflessness.

The heroes were pleasantly surprised at the gesture and thanked The La Casera Company for providing them a deserving platform. It was a very emotional day for the heroes and many enjoyed the moment with family, friends as well as co-workers.

The company has also announced that “La Casera Heroes” initiative will continue until the end of the year as the campaign was so well received that the number of entries and nominations were astronomical.