Entertainment
Why Jonathan Missed Creative Industry Mega Event
Friday November 28,
2014 witnessed a galaxy of stars at the convention centre of Eko Hotel in Lagos. About 1000 stars made up of actors, actresses, singers, painters, writers and journalists attended the event tagged, “An evening with President Goodluck Jonathan.”
It was reported that the classy and rich event started at about 9:00pm, but Mr President could not make it to the hall because just as he arrived the venue of the event, he got signals from Kano about the bombing that took place that evening at the Kano mosque, so he stayed off so as not to be seen as celebrating when people had died in Kano.
However, the event, which was sponsored by Zenith Bank continued and went far into the night. Two serving ministers attended the event, they include the Finance Minister, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and the host minister, High Chief Edem Duke, who is the minister of culture, tourism and national orientation.
The Calabar high chief, who spoke eloquently in his welcome address told the large audience that Mr President would not be able to make the event due to the bombing in Kano. After condemning the dastardly act of the Boko Haram in Kano, he eulogized the creative industry and how their efforts have put Nigeria on the world map.
The master of ceremony (MC), Bayo Benjamin, held the crowd spell bound, her impeccable delivery dazed the guests as she gave a good account of herself, no wonder she has remained Nigeria’s No1 event compere. To welcome guests, King Sunny Ade and about 10 other stars like Rita Dominic, Waje, Kate Henshaw, Aki and Papaw, Segun Arinze among others, gave good account of themselves in the opening performance.
While the corporate world was heavily represented, there was the new Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Chairman of UBA, Tony Elumelu and the MD of UBA as well as Zenith Bank.
Apart from the performances by ASA, Sunny Neji, Cobhams, Lara George, Omawumi, Sani Daija etc, there were speeches and documentaries on the creative influence on Nigerian contemporary art and 100 years of Nigerian music.
There was also comedy by Akpororo, who is fast becoming the hottest comedian on the scene.
Among the over 1000 personalities that attended the event were King Sunny Ade, 2 Shotz, Daddy showkey, Dare Art Alade, Eddy Montana, Duncan Mighty, Lara Gorge Onyeka Onwenu, Sunny Neji and Rita Dominic.
Others were the Nollywood twin sisters chidiebere and Chidinma Aneke, Fathia Balogun, Clarion Chukwura, Segun Arinze, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Emeka Ossai, Alex Osifo, Fred Amata, Steve Eboh, Yemi Blaq, Zik Zulu, Okafor, Chico Ejiro, Fidelis Dukar, Igwe Gab Onyi, Zeb Ejiro, Paul Obazele, Lancelot Imasuen, Anyiam Osigwe, Sally Mbanefo and a host of others.
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Finance Minister
R&B star, Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has recounted the early-career challenges she faced, revealing that she was once booed out of the stage while performing at a school event.
Speaking in an interview with Newsmen, the Crazy Tings crooner shared that she wasn’t only booed but was also harassed with plastic bottles.
“I remember one time I was going to perform at my school as an up-and-coming singer and I thought I was going to receiving a standing ovation.
“But I got booed. They even threw plastic bottles at me,” she recalled.
Tems explained that despite the embarrassing incident and other such rejections, she remained determined to pursue a career in music.
The Tide Entertainment reports that Tems admitted that some of the initial rejections she faced could be due to her conviction to stick to her originality instead of doing covers or familiar sounds like most of her peers.
The Grammy-winning singer said looking back now, she is glad that she didn’t compromise her style despite the initial pressures.
A close associate of late singer Mohbad, Primeboy, has appealed for the artiste’s burial nearly three years after his death.
According to him, Mohbad’s body remains in the mortuary since September 12, 2023, pending burial arrangements.
The Tide Entertainment reports that in a statement Primeboy urged the family, public, and government to permit the burial, stating, “It’s been almost three years since Mohbad left us. His body is still in the mortuary. I’m begging the family, I’m begging the public, I’m begging the government, please let’s bury our brother. He deserves a befitting burial.”
It would be recalled that Mohbad’s death sparked public outrage, protests, and investigations. Ongoing autopsy examinations, police inquiries, and legal proceedings have delayed burial arrangements amid family disagreements and public scrutiny.
Nancy Briggs
