THE PEOPLE IN CHARGE
The co-ordinator of the event was Ibidun Ituah-Ighodalo’s Elizabeth R. Very, very professional, Mrs. Ighodalo and her team were at the venue on time to put things in order. Music was handled by Africa’s greatest disc jockey, Jimmy Jatt and he didn’t disappoint; small chops et al were provided by Saheeto (owned by Saheed Kekere-Ekun) and it was on point; security was taken care of by K-Square and there were no lapses while the food (comprising starters, Chinese, Nigerian and the afters) had Ahuoma Kitchens Limited overseeing that. Everything they served was both sumptuous and delicious.
DOLLAR AND NAIRA RAIN
It rained Dollars and Naira during the book launch. And first to show love to the entertainer par excellence was Dr. Alex Otti, the MD/CEO of Diamond Bank, who gave N1 million. Another N1 million came from Ifie Sekibo, the MD/CEO of the back-to-life Heritage Bank. Sahara Energy Oil boss, Tonye Cole upped the game with $10,000. Another big player in the oil sector, Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi of Nest Oil took it a notch higher with $20,000 while Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, moved it to the climax with N10 million. On the whole, over N15 million was realized from this.
COLLEAGUES SHOW LOVE
Kings of comedy, Ali Baba and Yibo Koko, were the comperes. Although all the other top comedians were around to also lend their support and spice up the event. We saw Basketmouth, Okey Bakassi, Basorge Tariah, Jnr., AY, Tee A, Owen Gee, Teju Baby Face, Bovi, Daniel De Humorous, Funny Bone, Senator, Jeddi, Buchi and David Sikpa. Guess what? They all performed and left so many ribs cracked.
LOVE FROM NOLLYWOOD
Love also came the way of the celebrant from his colleagues in the acting sector. There were Rita Dominic, Desmond Elliot, Joseph Benjamin, Kate Henshaw, Segun Arinze, Kate Effiong-Okunnu, Lilian Amah, Mike Nliam, Zik Okafor, Bimbo Manuel, Ogechi Asiegbu and many others, in the house.
CYNOSURE OF ALL EYES
Newly pardoned former Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief DSP Alamieyesigha, walked into the venue around 7pm and instantly became the cynosure of all eyes. Wearing what looked like an Arabian tunic, the powerful politico who was accompanied by comedian Davida Sikpa indeed arrested everybody’s attention.
THE SHOW STOPPER
The show stopper on that sweet Sunday evening was the celebrant’s daughter, Zahra. Proving to be a chip off the block, the 4-year-old sang a tear-eliciting happy birthday song for daddy – and she did it so well that she was nearly drowned by the applause that followed.
EXCITED COUPLES EVERYWHERE
It was not a Valentine event yet some celebrity couples whose love stories we enjoy sharing were all there – looking lovely and lovingly into each other’s eyes. There were Dayo and Caroline Adeneye; Chris and Martha Najomo; Basorge and Doris Tariah; Teju and Tobi Oyelakin; Tony and Nkoyo Rapu; Idowu and Funbi Ogungbe; Sammie and Ozioma Okposo; Segun and Julie Arinze; Aleluya and Mary Akpobome and many, many others.
ENCHANTERS ON PARADE
There were a couple of A-listers at the party. Dresser and dazzler, Eunice Efole was there; so as was city clothier and wife of film maker, Joy Chico Ejiro; Korede Roberts of Fusion; Ifeanyi Okonkwo of Message; Abisoye Fagade of Sodium Brand Solutions; Steve ‘Yaw’ Onu of Wazobia FM; Noble Igwe of 360o, Timi Dakolo, Austin Okocha, Samson Siasia, Waheed Akanni, Eyo Effiong, Ohimai Atafo, Paul Okoye, Mo Abudu, Lanre Da Silva-Ajayi, KC, Presh, Burna Boy, Kunle Bakare…
ABOUT THE BOOK
Currently on sale at the bookshop inside The Palms, Lekki, Lagos, it’s a 211 page affairs and was edited by well known writer, Toni Kan and his partner, Peju Akande. An autobiography, it has 16 chapters, all chronicling the life and rise-to-top story of Julius Chinweikpe Agwu. Spiced up with photographs of Julius, friends and families, some of his friends, mentors and family members were also spoken to – with all their comments duly documented in the beautiful book.