Lagos stands still as Daylight Annual Leadership Awards holds in grand style + All the razzmatazz

L: Mr. Emeka Mba receiving his Daylight Person of the Year Award from Chief Emeka Ossai, while Mr. Femi Adesina, the Presidential Spokesman looks on at DALA 2016.

By CHIKA CHIMEZIE



It was truly the gathering of eminent Nigerians, stars, celebrities and achievers from all walks of life at the historic maiden edition of Daylight Annual Leadership Awards (DALA2016).

Cutting of Daylight.ng at one anniversary cake at DALA2016

The talk-of-the-town awards ceremony held elaborately at the posh Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, amid glitz, glamour and grandeur.

Daylight.ng Publisher/Editor-in-Chief/DALA Founder, Mr. Azuh Amatus delivering his speech at the grand event

Painstakingly and proudly organised by leading and reliable online newspaper Daylight (www.daylight.ng), the grand ceremony that serenaded Lagos and its environs while it lasted, was equally well attended with victuals in surplus.

Nonso SAX thrilling guests at DALA2016

The very colourful event, which was beautifully and professionally anchored by the famous duo of Okey Bakassi and Jennifer Eliogu, began on a very high note with the rendition of the National Anthem, by kid prodigy, Nonso Sax.

The nine year-old precociously talented child, got a standing ovation for his brilliant performance.

Amazingly, one unique thing about the ceremony

Toni Kan and Ken Calebs Olumese at DALA2016

was that virtually all the awardees were in attendance to personally receive their prestigious DALA Plaques.

Azuh Amatus, Chidi Nwokeabia and the Oridanis

Interestingly, the event commenced with the citation of leading Nollywood star and TV Host, Monalisa Chinda-Coker, who mounted the well-decorated stage to receive her DALA Plaque, for the Best TV Talk Show Host of the Year, amid cheers and encomiums.

Beautiful and effervescent Monalisa, who was gorgeously swathed in a flowing yellow flowery gown, in her acceptance speech thanked the organisers and promised to continue doing her best for humanity through her creative works.

DALA 2016 anchors- Okey Bakassi and Jennifer Eliogu

She was immediately followed by another top entertainer and presenter/producer of Bold Faces and The Psychologist on TV, Tricia Eseigbe-Kerry. She won in the Best Use of Advocacy on TV category.

Azuh Arinze and Mike Effiong presenting Most Outstanding Media Personality to Adesina

However, one of the biggest honours of the night went to Mr. Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Amiable Adesina, who was accompanied to the event by his darling wife and two lovely children was recognised and rewarded with the diadem of Most Outstanding Media Personality.

Zik Zulu-Okafor, Azuh Amatus and Monalisa Chinda

Also the famous and multi-talented trio of Stephanie Okereke-Linus, Osita Iheme and Zik Zulu-Okafor smiled home with DALA Plaques in the categories of Nollywood Person of the Year (Female), Nollywood Person of the Year (Male) and Nollywood Icon of the Year, in that order.

Stephanie Okereke-Linus receiving her award from Messrs. Azuh Arinze and Mike Effiong

Stephanie who donned a lovely green gown was oozing elegance and radiating in the curvy attire that was perfectly made for her.

The high point of the awards ceremony was the presentation of the highest award of the night, Daylight Person of the Year, to the immediate past Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Mr. Emeka Mba.

Mr. Raw (m) receiving his award from the duo of Fred Amata and Ralph Nwadike both presidents of the Directors Guild of Nigeria and Association of Movie Producers, respectively

Cerebral Mba thanked the management of Daylight.ng, organisers of the awards, for deeming it fit to recognise and honour him for the outstanding contributions rendered to father land during his fruitful tenure at the NBC.

As the classy and colourful event which was spiced with titillating and hilarious comedy and musical performances progressed, the very popular and celebrated trio of Okey Bakassi, Steve Yaw Onu and Mr. Raw Nwanne, were also decorated with DALA Plaques in the Comedian, Radio Personality and Musician of the Year categories, respectively, amid applause and plaudits.

Chidi Mokeme with Ogechi Ejike Asiegbu

And for his immense contributions to the growth of entertainment and tourism in Nigeria, showbiz impresario and founder of Niteshift Coliseum, Mr. Ken Calebs Olumese was garlanded with DALA Life Time Achievement award.

Olumese who was accompanied to the event by his son, Kevin was full of praises to the organisers for deeming it fit to recognise and reward him.

TJ Sax performing

Azuh Amatus and De Don the comedian

Fast growing and time conscious airline, Air Peace, ably led by Barrister Allen Onyema won the DALA Plaque for Airline of the Year.

The last award of the memorable and fun filled night of high-net-worth gathering went to Nollywood newest discovery, Angel Ufuoma.

L- FRSC Lagos Sector Commander, Mr. H Omeje, Azuh Amatus and ACM Akpabio, who represented FRSC Corps Marshal, Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi at DALA 2016

The sexy lawyer turned actress walked away with the trophy of Nollywood Most Promising Actress of the Year.

OJ Production boss, Ojiofor Ezeanyaeche, wife and Nollywood star, Osita Iheme aka Pawpaw

Meanwhile, earlier in his speech, the youthful and cerebral Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Daylight.ng and founder of DALA, Mr. Azuh Amatus, reiterated that the award primarily seeks to reward outstanding and hard working Nigerians in leadership positions that have excelled immensely in their chosen careers, in both private and public sectors.

Tricia Eseigbe and Fred Amata

Azuh, a member of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), added that DALA was part of the activities marking Daylight newspaper’s first anniversary of robust, responsible and reliable online journalism.

A special anniversary edition of Daylight newspaper was also unveiled at the ceremony by Mr. Femi Adesina, who was supported by his wife, Mrs. Nike alongside Azuh.

L-R: Famous Otakponmwen, Azuh Amatus, Grace Ama, Fidelis Duker and wife with Dan Alabrah

This was preceded by the cutting of the splendid anniversary cake by Azuh, his wife, Mary, son, Nonso Sax, who were joined on stage by a galaxy of Nollywood stars and entertainers.

”I want to thank all of you for coming to rejoice and celebrate with us. My special thanks to all our awardees for accepting to be the first ever recipients of this laudable and prestigious DALA Plaques,” stated elated Azuh.”

Pastor and Mrs. Femi Adesina

The historic night of celebrations and networking ended with riveting performances from the quartet of De Don, D’Lectura, TJ Sax and Kesh Ofuobi, respectively.

Ndidi Obi, Tricia and Grace at DALA2016

In their separate speeches, all the honourees were full of appreciations to the organisers for rewarding and celebrating them at DALA 2016.

In the words of Adesina: “I feel honoured, thank you Daylight media for celebrating me. This is coming one year after I left active journalism.”