Ara, Zacky thrill as CEOs gather for love of the nation

Music, dance and poetry came alive last Saturday at Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos as Nollywood stars, celebrities and company executives came together in the spirit of national unity. Delectable Yinka Davies set the tone for a beautiful night with her stunning rendition of the national anthem, while actresses, Bimbola Akintola and Zara Udofia-Ejoh took centre stage as both performed a spe­cial citation. The night also featured entertaining performances from Zacky Adze and Ara while former Big Brother Nigeria contestant and dancer, Frank Konwea, thrilled the audience with his fluid dance steps.
Tagged: “CEO’s Gather For The Love Of The Nation”, the event was organised to formally announce Effects Concepts’s programmes for the year. Dignitaries that graced the occasion include star actor, Ike Ikeagwu, ex-football inter­national, John Fashanu, Ayo Lijadu, and Alhaji Yerima Shettima, president, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum.
Others include Alhaji Hamzat Al Mustapha, Chief Security Officer to the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, Mr. Kolawole Ayanwale, Group Managing Director, Centrespread Advertising Agency, Dr. Frederick Fase­hun, president, Oodua People’s Con­gress, Folusho Peters, Arinola Adeniyi, and Effects Concepts’ chairman, Prince Doyin Sijuade.
Speaking during the event, convener and Managing Director, Effects Con­cepts Nigeria, Mr. Adeleke Ajayi, said that the idea was conceived to awaken national consciousness and patriotism. “We believe patriotism is embedded in every Nigerian but what we need as a people are platforms that will help us channel this patriotism into making our society better. We, at Effects Concepts Nigeria, find joy and pride in our na­tional symbols because they represent our unity and strength. Therefore, we will center our projects on these icons of national unity, in creating positive changes and rebuild the faith in our na­tion,” he stressed.
Adeleke further stated that there would be a nationwide competition between families representing each state of the federation, which will inspire patriotism and unity. Accord­ing to him, this will produce a winner among the competing family that would eventually be presented as the Celebrity Family of the Year and will carry out community impacting pro­jects in 10 states across the country. Alongside the TV show, there will be an inauguration of the ‘The National Flag Tour’. The tour will go across the 36 states of the nation with top government dignitaries and celebrity ambassadors representing their states, championing national unity and pride. On arrival, the flag will be received by the governor of each state and will make a quick tour to schools and organised symposia.
“On October 1, 2016, we will unveil the world’s biggest coat of arms monument in Nigeria. The monument is meant to inspire a sense of national unity and pride for the nation as it will be inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records,” he commented.
Adeleke also stated that the projects would offer unique opportunities to enlighten the populace and highlight the significance of our national sym­bols while prompting a sense of unity and positive national attitude.
While commending the organizers for putting the event together, Al Mu­stapha called on Nigerians to continue to show patriotic fervor in other to ensure growth and development of the country.
“I want to congratulate Effects Con­cepts Nigeria and DKK and Associ­ates for putting this event together. It’s nice to know that we have Nigerians who have gathered this distinguished assembly under one roof for the love of this country. We are optimistic that this engagement will spur positive ac­tions that will instil patriotism in the hearts of Nigerians as well as lead to unity and nation building’’
Speaking in the same vein, Mrs Temitope Jemerigbe, Managing Director and Chief Executive Of­ficer, DKK and Associates, expressed optimism that the event will stimulate attitudinal change among Nigerians that will translate into true change.