Celebrities Grace Launch of Airtel Premier
Cast of popular Television soap opera, Tinsel, led other celebrities including Bovi, Ik Osakioduwa, Tuface Idibia, Annie Macaulay and Buchi to the unveiling of the prestigious Airtel Premier Club on Sunday, March 23rd, 2014 at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos.
The Tinsel cast, comprising Fred Ade-Williams (Victor Olaotan), Brenda 'Nana' Mensah (Funmilola Aofiyebi-Raimi, Kwame Mensah (Chris Attoh), Telema Duke (Damilola Adegbite), Soji Bankole (Tinsel Gbenro Ajibade), Charles Enahoro (Khing Bassey), Tayo (Lanre Curtis Olubolade) and Phillip Ade-Williams (Gideon Okeke), added spice and colour to the occasion, especially during the cocktail session, as they interacted with guests, fielding questions from admirers and fans.
More than a few guests were enchanted to see the actors and actresses from the widely watched TV drama. Asked by a guest why he shot his father in the soap opera, Gideon Okeke, who acts Phillip Ade-Williams, son of Fred Ade-Williams, retorted: 'you only saw a hand pointing a gun, but I didn't shoot my father.' Expectedly, his response drew loud laughter from the guests as they engaged other cast members of the TV show.
Written by Yinka Ogun, the soap opera, Tinsel, revolves around two rival film companies Reel Studios, founded by Fred Ade-Williams (Victor Olaotan) and Odyssey Pictures, headed by Brenda "Nana" Mensah (Funmilola Aofiyebi-Raimi).
Aside the Tinsel cast, popular comedian, Bovi, during the main show, thrilled guests with his intellectual jokes. Considering the fact that the hall was packed with over 500 High Net-worth individuals consisting CEOs of Corporate bodies, top government officials, leading entrepreneurs and other bigwigs, not too many people gave Buchi a chance.
But the comedian demonstrated why he is currently referred to as one of the best in the country when he sent many of the guests holding their ribs in loud laughter. His performance was so good that special guest and British Economist, Jim O'neill repeatedly made reference to Bovi's materials.
Tuface Idibia also gave a good account of himself as thrilled guests just as Buchi held the audience spellbound with creative, local jokes. BBA compere and popular broadcaster, Ike Osakioduwa lived up to expectation as he guided the guests through an engaging event that lasted for more than three hours.
The event, however, hit a high point when the Airtel Premier logo was unveiled. With a well-coordinated pyrotechnics display, fireworks and special lighting effect, the Airtel Premier logo literally rose in a slow and stylish fashion from the depth of the hall to assume a most prominent position in front of the stage, amidst thunderous applause from an appreciative audience consisting mostly of corporate elites, government officials, accomplished entrepreneurs, society bigwigs and top entertainment personalities.
According to the CEO & Managing Director of Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya, customers who enroll on the Airtel Premier platform will enjoy several benefits including dedicated helpline, exclusive emails and website, dedicated Relationship Manager, enrollment into Airtel Rewards Programme, exclusive access to designated service points at Airtel showrooms and access to over 600 premium lounges across the world, among other benefits.
The high profile launch event, which took place yesterday, Sunday, March 23rd, 2014 at the Eko Hotel & Suites in Lagos, attracted several important dignitaries including the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Akinwunmi Adesina; Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, His Excellency, Shri A. R. Ghanshyam; former Governor of Cross Rivers State, Donald Duke, Wife of Ogun State Governor, Funsho Amosun, foremost British Economist, Jim O'neill and Arsenal legend, Ray Parlour, among other notable guests.