WHEN TOP CELEBRITIES ASSEMBLY TO CELEBRATE OKOROJI AT CIG INDUSTRY NIGHT
The much publicised November edition of the Creative Industry Group (CIG) Industry Night, that held at the Kulture Yard on Friday, October 27, 2023, could have been easily mistaken for the Grammys or perhaps the Oscars , as music and TV personalities flooded the venue to celebrate the ever indefatigable Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) chairman, Chief Tony Okoroj
The event which kicked off with a red carpet session at about 6:00pm at the Kulture Yard, owned by the multiple award-winning gospel reggae icon, Buchi, was supported by Havana drinks, makers of De-Rider bitters and gin, and also the Lagos State Government ministry of Basic education services (BES
As the guests arrived in their numbers, the CIG live band took to the stage to perform beautiful renditions of some of the special guest, Chief Tony Okoroj’s songs, like the hit track, “Juliana”, amongst other
Guests were served drinks and sumptuous meals, courtesy of COSON), supported by Havana Beverages Limited, makers of D-Rider Bitters, and the CIG welfare departmen
There were also electrifying performances that got guests glued to their seats clapping, and up on their feet dancing at the same tim
The Master of Ceremonies event was the talented humor merchant, KoffiThaGuru, who mesmerised the crowd with his highlife skills. He did not fail to use his anecdotes as usual, to treat issues bordering on education, suicide, and the current grueling economic situation of the countr
Top celebrities and dignitaries who came for the event included, Sir Shina Peters, Patrick Doyle, Chief Mrs. Clarion Chukwura Abiola, Righteousman and Carol Cee, Bernice Ashibuogwu, COSON general-manager, Alex O, Buchi, Amb. Felix Duke, CIG president, and his amiable wife, Lady Capriz, ZDon Poparella, Amb.Cornel Udofia with members of the Gladiators, Captain Emma Anyanwu, Lagos State Government ministry of Basic education services (BES) director, Adeyemi Adebayo , Chief Tony Okoroji himself with his entourage, amongst many other
Officially opening the performances was the fast rising Afro-Pop act, Ashny, and Kasi of Tops Record
Other artistes who performed included, POG, Janey Krest, Tesla Miles, Emperor Zigzag, Super Don, Muaire, Cassy, Rasnoweapon, and Bizzyboi
The event hit crescendo when it was time to present the award to the special guest, Chief Tony Okoroji. He was ushered to the stage with a standing ovation and magniloquent adjectives by the MC, KoffiThaGuru, that cracked everyone up. He also went ahead to take the concise citation of the legendary entertainment mogul who is undoubtedly one of the forerunners of the Nigerian entertainment industry, revealing that his professional relationship with music, started when he was only 18 years old, at the College of Immaculate Conception (CIC) Enugu; his first recorded work as an artiste, was in 1976, an album titled “Super Sure”. He released the album with the name Alex Tony Okoroji , under his own label, Love Record
The award was presented by legendary gospel reggae don, Buchi, assisted by the Amb. Felix Duke, Sir Shina Peters and Righteousman, as KoffiThaGuru continued churning out highlife tunes to the amazement of all
In his acceptance speech laddened with high emotion, Okoroji thanked his daughter Alex Okoroji, who came all the way from the United States to support him, as well as everyone who came out to show love, especially the CIG for the life time achievement award of recognition. No doubt, those in attendance aggreed that the event would not be forgotten.