Today, I must confess, has been quite melancholic for me. My mood has been oscillating from happiness to sadness. One minute I am happy, the next minute I am sad.
Why? Well, for those who do not know, our 9th Annual YES INTERNATIONAL Magazine Lecture cum public presentation of my two new books, SUCCESS IS NOT SERVED A LA CARTE and ENCOUNTERS – LESSONS FROM MY JOURNALISM CAREER, ought to be going on as you read this, at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Our guest speaker, Mr Steve Babaeko; special guest of honour, Rt Hon Rotimi Amaechi; royal father of the day, Oba Adedokun Abolarin; compere, Gbenga Adeyinka; book reviewer, Mr Emeka Oparah; special guests, Apostle Anselm Madubuko, Dr Tunji Olugbodi and Mr Udeme Ufot; event planner, Abiodun Oshinibosi; chairman, Chief Olusegun Osoba, and all our other invited guests were ready and had assured us they would all be available.
But from nowhere, COVID-19 came and made a mess of all our plans.
I have been feeling bad all day, especially when I remember all the resources and efforts we have channeled into making today grand.
My consolation, however, has been that all my friends, including you, are alive and well and joyous and kicking. Also I am equally strengthened by the fact that once there is life there is hope.
Above all, my biggest joy is that the deadly and dreaded coronavirus hasn’t and won’t ever, ever locate us until it’s caged medically.
Happy birthday YES INTERNATIONAL! Magazine and long live all our readers and advertisers.
I will bring you more updates in a couple of days.
I love all of you and will forever do so!
Azuh Arinze,
Publisher/Editor-in-Chief