As usual, the prestigious Convention Centre of Eko Hotels and Suites was the place to be and all who trooped to the venue to share in the fun and excitement of the Awards night were as usual, not disappointed.
Even at a time of biting fuel scarcity and cash crunch arising from difficulty in acquiring the new naira notes, with the corresponding denominations of the old notes ceasing to be legal tenders by January 31, guests and regular enthusiasts of the annual Vanguard Personality of the Year Award were not deterred as they faithfully kept a date with the 2022 edition of the program, the 11th in the series, which was held on Friday, January 27, 2023.
It was another night that lived up to the expectations in keeping with the Vanguard’s brand-exclusive tradition of excellence in creating an atmosphere of unforgettable entertainment while celebrating a carefully selected cast of eminent Nigerians who had made landmark achievements in their various professional fields, in government and private positions and all-round contributions to national developments and advancement of the human race.
It was yet again a night of glamour, glitz, glitter, and highly entertaining music sessions performed by artists very much in their elements.
For those who were fortunate to be there, it was an unforgettable moment of exhilarating experience which began from the Red Carpet as the early arrivals can testify.
The selected awardees, in most cases accompanied by large entourages of aides and praise singers, made their grand entry into the hall after brief sideline exchanges of greetings with acquaintances and well-wishers.
While the event was officially slated to start by 6 pm, guests began streaming in as early as 5 pm.
For the ladies, it was yet another opportunity to strut the Red Carpet, prancing around to show off their fashionable attires which can variously be described as bold, beautiful, bawdy, or outrageously bizarre.
Indeed, some of them in a bid to make eye-catching fashion statements, came dressed in audacious wear, some incredibly skimpy, others verging on sheer transparency, leaving little or nothing to the imagination.
As the guests made their way into the beautifully decorated and lit hall, they were treated to a steady session of ever-green music by the Laolu Gbenjo Group.
Patoranking fetes audience as Dangote, Okowa, Makinde, others bag award
Reggae-dancehall singer, Patoranking treated the audience of the 2022 Vanguard Personality of the Year Awards to lively renditions of his show-stopping single, “Celebrate Me”, which he released in 2021.
The artiste also serenaded the guests with his 2014 single, “Iya Bisi”, featuring Qdot and Kbaj.
The awards show tagged, “Night of Entertainment” is best described as an experience of a lifetime with no dull moments.
The Convention Centre of Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, the venue of the Awards was filled to capacity as celebrities, politicians, business moguls, and creme-de-la-creme of the society gathered for this year’s edition of the annual event.
The event was hosted by beautiful actress and TV presenter, Zainab Balogun alongside her male colleague, Deyemi Okanlawon, who’s best known for his role in Funke Akindele’s blockbuster movie, “Omo Ghetto: The Saga.”
The two movie stars set the tone for the night by dishing out rib-cracking jokes and moderating the day’s proceedings.
The Awards had in attendance the cream of the society, including Nollywood stars as they stormed the event to support one of their own, Pete Edochie, who received a Lifetime Achievement award on the night.
Other notable Nollywood actors and actresses at the event included the National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Emeka Rollas, Paul Obazele, Shirley Igwe, Fidelis Duker, Cossy Ojiakor, Angela Eguavoen, Nosa Rex. Others were top actresses Etinosa Idemudia, Uche Elendu, Seyi Hunters, Bose Alao, Amaka Obi, Joke Lawal, and Peju Johnson among others.
Meanwhile, another entertainer that thrilled guests at the Awards event was MC Remote.
MC Remote, who ventured into the industry with his own uniqueness spiced up the night with his repertoire of jokes.
Governors AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Kwara), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta), and Emmanuel Udom (Akwa Ibom) received the Vanguard 2022 Governor of the Year Award.
Similarly, a former Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh; former Inspector General of Police, Mike Okiro and foremost entrepreneur, Idowu Okoya were honored with Vanguard Lifetime Awards.
Among other eminent personalities that bagged this category of awards were the founding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission, Bishop Mike Okonkwo, and veteran Nollywood actor, Pete Edochie.
Top of the day’s award recipient was Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote who was awarded with the Personality of the Year Award.
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