The cast of popular television soap opera, Tinsel, were among the company of celebrities including Bovi, Ik Osakioduwa, Tuface Idibia, Mike Ezuruonye, Sunny Irabor, Annie Macaulay, Deola Sagoe and Buchi who graced the unveiling of an exclusive club for elite customers by Airtel Nigeria two weeks ago 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.
No more than a few guests were enchanted to see the actors and actresses from the widely watched TV drama. Expectedly, the cast fielded questions bothering on their roles in the soap opera.
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.” This 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, brought a measure of liveliness to the gathering as he creatively thrilled the guests with mind-probing and intellectually challenging jokes. His performance was so good that special guest and British Economist, Jim O’neill repeatedly made reference to some of the thoughts he evoked.
The over 500 select guests comprising CEOs of blue chip companies, top government officials, leading entrepreneurs and notable personalities from other industries had a lot to cheer for on the night with another stand-up comedian, Buchi demonstrating why he is one of the best in the country as he consistently had many of the guests reeling with laughter.
Nigeria’s biggest music star, Tuface Idibia was true to his billings when he hit centre stage. Performing some of his hit tracks including ‘One love’, the Benue-born musician proved a favourite of too many a fan as he literally got both the old and young on their feet, albeit some noticeable miscued steps from the guests were helped by the sound off the beats.
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 hit a crescendo with the unveiling of the Airtel Premier logo by, Segun Ogunsanya, chief executive officer and managing director, Airtel Nigeria, supported by the federal Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Akinwunmi Adesina, board member, Airtel Nigeria, Paul Usoro (SAN), executive director and chief operating officer, Airtel Nigeria, Deepak Srivastava, wife of Ogun State governor, Olufunsho Amosun, foremost British economist and guest speaker, Jim O’neill and Arsenal legend, Ray Parlour.
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.
