By Eric Elezuo

For 11 years running, the Ovation brand has been in the forefront of organising a charity concert aimed at setting up entrepreneurs, honouring distinguished Nigerians and providing unrivaled entertainment at the one stop show better known as Ovation Carol with a constant theme of ‘It’s all about Hope’.

DJ Cuppy thrilling the guests

This year’s edition was not only an exception, but went more steps further in size and magnitude, drawing to the Convention Centre of the Eko Hotels and Suites a crowd of fun lovers, captains of industries, political big wigs, religious leaders, entertainment buffs and the general public.

Dream Boi performing on stage

Kicking off at shortly before 8pm with a superb red carpet reception, the show made an early promise of tantalising the guests as portrayed by the lavishly decorated hallway with the paraphernalia of the Ovation brand and past hits of the Ovation title. Guests were indeed in for a pleasant time.

Reverend Mother Esther Ajayi & Olori Naomi Ogunwusi

With an array of A-list performers, budding artists, fashion gurus, the magnificent duo of Tee A and Daala Oruwari as anchors, and all comers, things came to glorious start. The glorious voices of the mega choir made the statement that the night has nothing to do with as usual. The members of the mass choir gave out the best of Christmas songs, taking the audience to crescendo after crescendo. It was a moment of high spiritual ecstasy. No one was in doubt that it was actually ‘Christmas in Lagos’.

Mrs Bolaji Momodu, Sinach and a guest

The pulsating performance was followed by an extreme high praise and worship session led by Big Bolaji. If there was another prompting the people; that was it. The hall was charged and electrified. No one could remain on their seat. Shouts of euphoria continued to reverberate in the hall that was filled to capacity with a spill over outside.

Then one another, the best of Nigerian artists began to do what they know best how to do, including an international group from Sierra Leone. From Sammy Okposo to Sinach to Burna Boy and Adekunle Gold, the people couldn’t but ask for more. There was splendid shows from Falz the Bahd Guy, Yinka Ayefele, Teni, Tweeny among many others.

The major highlights of the night were the induction of three notable Nigerians into the Ovation Hall of Fame, and recognition of entrepreneurs who were supported with a million naira by the Esther Ajayi Foundation the previous year as they tell their success stories. The inductees are the Proprietor and Founder of Henry Alex Duduyemi Memorial College, Chief Alex Duduyemi, Chief Fatoye and the elegant Stallion, Chief Onyeka Onwenu.

In his speech, the Chairman, Ovation Media Group, Bashorun Dele Momodu heaped praises on the noble Nigerians for their contribution in making better the lives of people, especially for shinning the light of success in his own path.

The CEO of BISCOM, Prince Bisi Olatilo, was on hand to supervise the cutting of the Carol cake, which involved the entire Momodu family, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adewusi, Ojaja II, Reverend Mother Esther Ajayi and her Husband, Dr Ademuyiwa Ajayi and their children.

The show provided enough to eat and drink also featured a fashion show where fashion expert, Simi Ajayi, unleashed her beautiful designs on the runway.

Among many notable Nigerians that graced the occasion were the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adewusi, Ojaja II and his beautiful wife, Olori Naomi; CEO of Eleganza Group, Chief Razaq Okoya and his wife, Shade Okoya; Founder of Love of Christ Generation (C&S) Church, London, Reverend Mother Esther Ajayi and her husband, Dr. Ademuyiwa Ajayi; Mr. Bayo Fatusin, Chief of Staff to the Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Wale Jafojo; CEO, UT Financials, Mr Ade Adebajo; Iyalaje of Apapa, Princess Toyin Kolade; Minister of Transportation, Rt Hon Rotimi Amaechi; former Managing Director of First Bank, Mr. Bisi Onasanya, Chief Olu Okeowo, Senator Tokunboh Afikuyomi, Comrade Ayodele Adewale, Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Coalition Party, Dr. Nicholas Felix, Chief Onyeka Onwenu, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, Social Democratic Party governorship candidate in Lagos State, Dr. Adetokunbo Pearse, former AIG of Police, Mr Tunji Alapinni and a host of others.

The fiesta was sponsored by the Esther Ajayi Foundation, a body dedicated to the provision of assistance to as many that are in need. The Foundation has reached out to over one million lives in 2018 in fulfillment of its promise the previous year on the same platform.