It was a gathering of industries’ Eagles. The United States of America and Africa, in good context were represented. It was a day light event that seemed like a night of stars assembled for a historic performance in commemoration of a sweet revolution.
People from all walks of life defied the day’s terrific traffic situation, especially from the notorious Apapa business end of Lagos to Lekki associated ‘big man’end, which is increasingly becoming unmanageable, to attend the 2015 edition of MMS plus’ Woman of Fortune Hall of Fame, which took place at the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) Media Centre, Iganmu, Lagos, situated on the same complex with the nation’s monument of culture and theatre, called National Theatre.
This year’s event, which is the fourth in the annual series was unique in many ramifications. It x-rayed the importance of Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) in corporate, government and other institutions with a charge for rededication and commitment to women empowerment and the Internally Displaced Persons(IDPs) in the society. This crisis was noted as one of the negative impacts of the Boko Haram insurgency.
The theme: Capacity Development-Evolving A Viable CSR Initiative was also aimed at making leaders in public and private establishments to internalize the need to dedicate more funds to building women for rainy days and for taking better grip of their homes and environment. The message was delivered unhindered and responses that followed were actually in agreement with the subject whose understanding was aided by a panel of five industry experts who extensively explored CSR to the point of how it touches every soul, locally and globally. This was a new content in the hall of fame “menu” of events. It became the soul of this year’s event, indeed!
Unique again was the internationalization of the MMS Hall of Fame, with the induction of a US based oil and gas operator, who hails from Cameroun, with its positioning in the heart of powerful female members of energy network in the United States. Anne Etoke had guests from the US, Cameroun and Ghana, who were also hosted to a post-event dinner at the Oriental Hotels, Lekki, Lagos.
One other element of uniqueness was the musical performance by the nation’s elegant Stallion and lady of songs, Lady Onyeka Onwenu, who was by the way, one of the 2015 inductees. She did one of her new singles entitled: “You are not alone”, electrifying the audience with her Adanma dance steps and sonorous voice which endeared her to people in her early musical career.
As usual, the hall was filled beyond expectation. Over 400 guests were entertained, sorrowfulness was left outside the hall by all, as comedian Danfo thrilled them with comic relief. People laughed to their fill and almost forgot to leave. There was no hurrying home. Could you ask Hajia Lami Tumaka, Mrs Mfon Usoro, Mrs. Jean Chiazor Anishere, Eugene Nweke, Mrs Margaret Oraekwusi what the experience was like? They were the power house of the discussion!
Again, the unique moment was the induction of new members by the entire old members of the hall of fame recipient called Hall of Famers present. No inductee was represented, unlike before. Now, the owners( Hall of Famers) have decreed a standard, and so shall it stand, Amen!
There were institutions that committed themselves to this year’s event, despite the Buharimania of scarcity of funds everywhere. We can’t thank them enough. Those fountains of theirs will never run dry. They shall be celebrated because they chose to celebrate MMS Hall of Fame. They are: Le Look Nigeria Limited, Topewide Ventures Limited, Nigerian Breweries, NPA, Nigerian Shippers’ Council(NSC), ODIC Wire and Cable,NIMASA, NAGAFF, ECM Terminals, Emzor Pharmaceuticals Limited, Avro Pharma Limited,Benjamin Michaels Limited, GreenLife Pharmaceuticals Limited, The African Gas Association(TAGA), Afro Continental Agency Limited and many other individuals like DCG Musa Tahir, Mrs. Juliana Gunwa, Margaret Oraekwusi. For all those who made the event thick with their presence, may your roads never be rough!
Of course, the event began with the usual Red-Carpet(Green Carpet), an entertainment and media chat content which created a confluence of classes into the day’s dressing outlook. Who says you can’t talk to the press unless you hand them a “Brown Envelope”? MMS Hall of Fame made it possible, with everybody present having a sense of pride and value. The media, from electronic to print were there for news and personality hunt! Hmmmmmm! If you ask me, it was laka bucious and devoid of any huh u hu! To God be the glory!
Meanwhile, the nomination for 2016 has begun. Visit : www.mmsplusng.com
