By Gloria Okezie-OKAFOR
It was a monumental event last Sunday August 19 to be precise, at the prestigious hall of the Kingcelia Hotel Jibowu Lagos, where Cornel’s Media Consult, treated guests to a colourful outing during her third awards.
Attendees at the auspicious event cuts across every facet of professionalism –from media, to entertainment, to security, and other corporate services.
The moderately spaced hall was filled to capacity by dignitaries who had come from far and near to be celebrated as well as support the cause of the organization.
The event began with an opening prayer by Apostle Jonathan Imogu Snr. Pastor Victory Inheritance Ministry Lekki Lagos. Followed by a beautiful rendition of the national anthem by Ebele the Flutist.
Fast rising comic act, Mc Shakara and Mc Talk Well, were the compere for the occasion. During his brief opening remark, the pioneer founder of the group, Amb. Cornel Udofia (UN Peace Ambassador), said the award was put together to recognize the important role certain individuals are making in the area of politics, entertainment, music, fashion, and arts, and the benefits such contributions have on the larger society.
Phrasing from his papered speech, he said: ”As it is well known at CMC Gladiators, we encourage talents towards the full attainment of their potentials as well as nudging successful persons towards legendary feats…”
Cornel who has barged numerous awards through his PR related events over the years, has one of the largest social platforms which offers professional networking as well as a talent hunting ground for young and aspiring act in different endeavors.
His platforms which comes under different titles such as CMC AFRICA, CMC GLADIATORS, CMC ENTERTAINMENT, house individuals across all spheres of life, from the low to the mighty.
This year award tagged: CMC AFRICA AWARDS 2018: Celebration of Icons, was put together with the intention to celebrate individuals whose contributions to society have made distinctive impacts.
Some of those awarded include: Chief Zeb Ejiro, and Opa Williams who bagged the Lifetime Achievement Awards of Excellence as an Icons in the entertainment industry.
CP Ahmed Iliyasu, Commissioner of Police Ogun State Command as the Most Innovative CP Ogun State Command in Security and Community Policing.
The Sun Newspaper, Merit Award as the Best Media Outfit of the year 2018.
Ndidi Obi, Award of Excellence for her Remarkable contributions to the Growth of Nollywood.
Christian Paul, Merit Award as a Legendary Icon in the Entertainment Industry. Friday Kujah, Award of Excellence as a Legendary Icon in Sports Development in Nigeria.
Ozzy B, Merit Award as the Youngest Entertainer of the year 2018. Uche Ogbodo, Merit Award as The Most Outstanding Nollywood Actress in the year 2018. African China, Excellence Award as a Legendary Icon in the Entertainment Industry.
Not left out, too, is the young lady who picked and returned $6000 cash from one of the toilets as a cleaner with Lakewood Development Company, a janitorial outfit with the Murtala Mohammed International airport in Lagos. Charity Bassey was at the event in company of her mother where she received the Merit Award as Miss Integrity 2018.
In all, the awardees were about thirty one in number.
At the keynote address, which had been slated to be delivered by the editor in chief of the Sun Newspapers, Mr. Eric Osagie, the Daily editor of the paper Mr. Onuoha Ukeh who had given the speech instead, happed on the Importance of the Media to Democracy and Electioneering.
While admitting that the media has an important role to play in ensuring true democracy in the country, he emphasized that the general public have an equally important role to play. In his words: ”it is the electorate that determines who governs them. When the people are not particularly interested in coming out for elections, then they have no reason to complain at the government of the day.”
The Daily editor encouraged all to participate in the forthcoming elections. He ended his speech by noting that the event of the day is not about politics, but about celebrating Icons in our land.
The occasion saw the display of musical performances, as well as comic reliefs. One impressive musical outings was done by the beautiful wife of veteran Nollywood actor Zach Orji. Mrs. Ngozi Orji stole the moment with a track from her gospel album which was done in Igbo language.
Also, kid star making wave, Ozzy Bosco thrilled the guests along side young African Michael Jackson.
While picking their awards, movie veteran Zeb Ejiro who has offered countless scholarship to upcoming actors and screen writers through his academy, promised to let the door open again to young Nigerians interested in joining the industry, especially to those in the CMC platforms.
Sports Icon, Friday Kujah, towed the same path when he promised to pick young talents interested in carving a niche in the world of soccer.
The event which also dragged into the late evenings saw the official launching of the CMC Charity Project, and the CMC AFRICA FOUNDATION FUNDRAISING.