Encomium
When American artistes come to town, you can trust there will be fun and great entertainment. Such was the experience at the Corporate Elite Nite when RnB artistes Mario and Freddie Jackson; Dru Hill, the 112 band, not in the least, Micasa from South Africa, the Mavins, 3MG, Sound Sultan, Kcee, Harrysong, Banky W, Ice Prince and Sir. Shina Peters delivered performances that guests described as superb and electrifying.
The attending elites are good customers and every ambitious brand knows the relevance of the demography. Because a large percentage of this group had their youth in the 80s. Thus, the sponsors ensured classic artistes of repute like Freddie Jacksons; the 112 band and the Cameo recast the years-gone-by. At this gathering, it’s always nice to feel young again.
Precisely, the atmosphere at this year’s event was reminiscent of a Roman outing, where the Cesarean and Augustan gathered to a tripling opera, exchange banters, lay critical officialdom aside for a moment. There were industrialists, political elites, Corporate Chiefs, prominent entertainers and Directors at the event.
Notably, NFF Chairman, Amanju Pinnick, Paul Orhii, the Director General of NAFDAC; Mr. Sola Alabi, the CEO of Stratford Communications, Dr. Faye Iketubosin, the Director of George’s Medical Centre; Kenny Ogungbe and Dayo Adeneye, Innocent Idibia (TuFace) and his wife Annie Macauley; Mojisola Akpata of Diageo Africa, Ali Baba, DJ Jimmy Jatt, The Ajoses, Austin Okocha, Anthony Shishler of Farenheit, Nky Iweka of Melting Pot and an inexhaustible list of corporate dignitaries relished the night and the performances.
Don Jazzy, Korede Bello, Dr. Sid, D’Prince set the hall ringing with familiar songs. The arena re-vibrated with the choruses of Dorobucci and Surulere as the crew justified their popularity among the young and the old. Iyanya too was enchanting. While he invited a pretty Indian lady to the stage, he connected with the souls and minds of all races present at the event.
Banky W. endeared the audience to his unique brand of music. Songs like Jasi, Jaiye and Lagos Party were apparently street anthems going by the responses from the audience. Kcee and Harrysong caused a Marvel with a lively outing. Pure entertainment and style could hardly be found at any other gathering as the Corporate Elite Nite.
Richard Iweanoge, the ICT and Telecommunications Company’s General Manager, Consumer Marketing, reiterated that, ‘the Corporate Elite Nite is our way of connecting customers to great music and ensuring that they relax and enrich their business network by interacting with people from different industries’.
The Corporate Elite Nite is held annually. In the past, celebrated international superstars such as Joe Thomas, Cool and The Gang, Billy Ocean and Mafikizolo, have headlined the events to entertain and refresh industry giants, business moguls, political elites, corporate chiefs. The attendance has always been rich consisting of the high and mighty. Consequently, expectations are always high and the organisers go the extra mile to ensure the best artistes perform at the occasion.
