24/05/2025
10 DAYS TO GO!
TELL THE STORY TODAY
(Thank you in advance for reading to the end)
On Saturday, May 31st, the 12th edition will hold by the grace of God. So, let me tell you brief stories with these pictures taken from the MAIDEN EDITION.
AGABAIDU
The ARISE IGALA Magazine was in it's 4th year in print. I returned to Idah, had a long talk with AGABAIDU (HRM, Ameh Oboni II). His Majesty's concerns; the venue (Sheraton); sponsors (non - no particular person, interest or business); the dream (taller than my economic reality) and then, His Majesty's next moves - took me up to the GREAT AMEH OBONI'S chamber - prayed for me. The next day, suspended all engagements, canceled all appointments, signed over 150 letters for me on His LETTERHEAD in a single day. He was at the event LIVE.
He kept faith with us. He believed us seeing what we were doing with the ARISE IGALA Magazine. He stood for us. Yes, His Majesty warmed me of the challenges ahead - my mind was prepared.
PRINCE ABUBAKAR AUDU
November this year will make it 10 since you departed this temporal side of existence - may your soul rest in peace - Ameen!!!
He emerged the maiden ARISE IGALA Person of the Year. Two days to the event, he invited me to his Villa abode. He questioned; "young man, who is your sponsor?" and I replied, "many people thought you were financing me". Surprised, he turned round and looked everyone there, eyes wide open, no one could talk including "the Prince of the Niger" himself. I went ahead to let him know that till that moment, I was still borrowing and taking loans. Unfortunately, based on wrong assumptions, (just as it is till today), capable people including many blessed recipients stayed back and watched because they "thought" someone else has supported or was doing so already.
Well, next day (that's a day to the event), The Prince, Adoja called and asked which of the First Bank was closer to me where I was, I told him and he asked me to go there and tell the Branch Manager that he directed me. I got there without a cheque, no account with the bank, I introduced myself and I was surprised the VIP treatment I got instantly - bulks were arranged before my arrival. All I did was to sign a paper - that was all. That night, I slept well for the first time in about 14 days. I started waiting confidently for the hour to come.
CHIEF (ARCH) GABRIEL Y. ADUKU
This year, I won't be expecting that token I receive every eve of the event. There is a particular amount that was consistently being sent every eve of the annual event and when it enters, I will smile because it became Daddy's Signature support for 11 years. May your gentle soul rest in peace - Amen!!!
Since our paths crossed, his prayer was that the people's eyes should be opened to understand the value of what we are doing with the ARISE IGALA Platform. Daddy never assumed anything about financial support. He understood the terrain more than myself and so, he made it a culture to send in his "little" support every year - not the money but his faith in what the project stands for and what it can become if well taken care of.
MAJOR GENERAL LAWRENCE ONOJA (RTD).
As a deliberate move based on the fundamentals that the platform is built on, Lead Speakers were agreed not to be Igala. We set our primary objective to be *Sailing Through Culture To National Unity, Peace And Development*. So, General Lawrence Onoja (Rtd) became the first Lead Speaker.
He delivered an interesting and inspiring lecture which set the tone for our journey on the project. He grabbed the understanding of where we are heading. And, today, we are still hopeful that many will come to that understanding, very soon.
THAT CULTURAL PERFORMANCE
That was a national unity and peace performance by the Kogi State Art Council's Cultural Troupe - we were deliberate - we paid, sacrificially to send out that message of unity in our diversity to the world. We can be better and stronger together.
TODAY
The ARISE IGALA Team is proud of it's journey so far. We didn't just jump in from nowhere. We have history and we aren't just floating - we are sailing to a known destination - the annual ARISE IGALA Leadership Awards & Lectures is transforming into what it was designed to be from the beginning. Be part of this HISTORY.
Rear Admiral Andrew Okoja (Rtd) chairing the 12th edition is destiny fulfilled. Don't be told of what is about to happen. A new chapter will open soon and it will be historical if your name is found there.
ARISE!
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Saturday, May 31, 2025.
12:00pm Prompt.
The Conference Hall,
NICON LUXURY, ABUJA
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