Day NLNG ‘shocked’ me, by Gabriel Akinadewo

I had planned to attend the 8th Annual Conference of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) in Lokoja, Kogi State from October 1 – 4.
In fact, I was a member of the Planning Committee, but something came up that I had to deal with in Lagos. So, I called our President, Maureen Chigbo , former President Dotun Samson Oladipo and a few others to notify them.
Of course, I followed the deliberations in Lokoja.

In September, I got an ‘invite’ from the Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) to attend a three-in-one event in Lagos on October 4.
Tagged ‘Celebrating The Voices of Impact: Nigeria Prizes @ 20’, guests gathered to felicitate NLNG on the 35 years of its Incorporation, 25 years of Production and 20 years of the Nigeria Prizes for Literature and Science.

Clearly, NLNG is a reference point in credible corporate governance, not only in Nigeria but Africa. It is also known for its consistency in accountability and transparency.
So, Friday October 4 was triple celebrations for NLNG, a leading contributor to the Nigerian economy, turning its base in Bonny Island to ‘heaven on earth’.

When I got to the venue, I met a former President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Mrs. Funke Egbemode, who delivered the Keynote Address.

I also greeted Journalism Clinic founder, Taiwo Obe; PR expert and lecturer, Chido Nwakanma; Radio Now CEO, Kadaria Ahmed; BusinessDay Editor, Temitayo Fagbule; former presidential spokesperson, Tolu Ogunlesi; Okechukwu Uwaezuoke, Appolonia Adeyemi, Lilian Azuh, and others.
Anike-Ade Funke Treasure moderated, to the delight of all.

I had earlier greeted Mr. Andy Odeh, Mrs. Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku, Mr. Elkanah Chawai and others from #TeamNLNG.
After Mrs. Egbemode delivered her brilliant paper, Fire Side Chat and Q&A, it was the turn of Mrs. Palmer-Ikuku to announce ‘some surprises’.

She called my friend, Tony Okuyeme, who turned 60 same day to come out and stand behind a beautiful cake brought by NLNG for celebration. The band rendered melodious songs.
Then, it was time for ‘Special Presentations’.

NLNG, according to her, ‘wants to recognise and celebrate’ some media stakeholders.
I was editing some stories on my phone when I heard ‘Gabriel Akinadewo’.
Then, people started clapping.
I looked up, not really sure what was happening. She called my name again as the winner of the ‘Most Versatile Journalist’ Award.
Honestly, I was, according to Mrs. Egbemode, ‘pleasantly shocked’.
I sat for about five seconds, amazed, astonished, surprised.
Then, Mrs. Egbemode said ‘ e lo gba award yin o’ (Go and collect your award).
As I was walking to the podium, I told her “This is an ambush”.
She started laughing.
I told Mrs. Palmer Ikuku same.

Mr. Odeh eventually presented the award and advised me: “Please, be consistent in what you do”.
Then, people started coming around to congratulate me.

Other winners were Vanguard Correspondent, Mrs Prisca Sam-Duru (NLNG One-Off Prize for the Voices of Impact behind the Nigeria Prizes); Mr Terh Agbedeh (the most Consistent); Mrs Chidinma Agwu (the most Punctual) and Mr Sopuruchi Onwuka (the most Engaging).
As people were congratulating me, one of my friends jokingly called me ‘Alhaji Gabriel’, apparently referring to my cap.
Let me ‘digress’ a bit.
I remember in June 2021, I was in Abuja with Dotun Oladipo, Pastor Joshua Oluseyi Fasugba and others for a media event when I saw the cap and bought it.
I used this ‘head covering’ when I attended a wedding in Lagos same month.
Then, I ‘forgot it’ in my wardrobe until two months ago when I ‘commandeered’ and gave it to a dry cleaner.
I used it a few weeks ago at a social event in Lagos (before leaving the house, my wife laughed and asked ‘are you now a politician?’) and some of my friends at the event – Temitope Ajayi , Sakibu Olokojobi, Dipo Kehinde , Mojeed Jamiu , Israel Jaiye Opayemi, Biodun Durojaiye, Habib Aruna , Azuh Arinze , Bisi Oladele – jokingly called me ‘Alhaji’. In fact, Biodun Durojaiye said that was the first time he saw me wearing a cap, “apart from when you are in church”.
When Habib Aruna celebrated his 60th birthday on September 28, I was there, wearing the cap. Iheanacho Nwosu , Bam Olugbenga Odugbesan , Steve Ayorinde, Ramon Nasir, Ayodele Aminu, Jide Ajani, Olusola Fabiyi and others, said same.
I think I should use the cap frequently now to complete my ‘Nigerianness dress code’.
Anyway, I want to sincerely thank NLNG for this award.
All guests at the venue received gifts of high-quality Nigerian wax prints and some communication gadgets.
While leaving, I told myself: ‘To achieve anything in life, consistency is key’.
I still don’t know why I was chosen for the award but I believe the hard work of our media team in Freedom Online (www.freedomonline.com.ng) was the precursor.
And that is the NLNG Magic.