CHIKE OKOLI: GONE, BUT ALIVE IN MIDST OF MANIFOLD

 7^th ANNUAL HEART & SOUL GALA 2013

Teach me to live, that I may dread the grave as little as my bed’’

-Bishop Thomas KEN, clergyman and hymnologist

 CHIKE OKOLI:

GONE, BUT ALIVE IN MIDST OF MANIFOLD

In the globally revered Hymn Ancient and modern revised No 165, STANZA  four reads : ‘’ A thousand ages in thy sight are like an evening gone; Short as the watch that ends the night before the rising sun

‘’Time, like an ever –rolling stream, bears all its sons away; they fly forgotten, as a dream dies at the opening day’’. And KING David in Psalm 116 vs. 12 posits: ‘WHAT CAN I OFFER THE LORD FOR ALL HIS GOODNESS TO ME?

A SPECIAL TRIBUTE: BY MIKE CERUTTI OSAGIE

Was it not the fire branded wordsmith, Sir-William Shakespeare that once postulated that: Be absolute for death; either death or life shall thereby be the sweeter? THAT may be the case of late Chike OKOLI, a young man who died an untimely death, but who is still being celebrated long after his journey to the great beyond

INDEED, The 7^th annual HEART & SOUL GALA NIGHT 2013 in commemoration of late Chike Okoli has come and gone, but the memories will no doubt linger in the minds of all and sundry that was part of that memorable night for a long, long time to come

What a gala night? What a night of elegance? What manner of night of entertainment and fostering of healthy hearts in a marvelous celebration of life?

HELD at the high brow breath taking Shell HALL, Muson Center Onikan, LAGOS penultimate Friday, the CHIKE OKOLI FOUNDATION (A house of enterprise) again spared no expense in promoting healthy living and entrepreneur culture in memory of the late Chike OKOLI

A NIGHT that was tagged: ….Promoting healthy living and entrepreneur culture. The life and times of late Chike Okoli was again celebrated for the umpteenth time in a colorful way as people from all works of life, heads of government, industry leaders, captain of industries, political juggernauts, scholars and intellectuals , all gathered  again to pay yet another  immortal tribute to the late Chike Okoli

Under HER Excellency, Dame (Dr) Patience Good luck Jonathan's first lady of Nigeria and president, African 1^st ladies peace mission, as the most distinguished guest of honor, the event was chaired by no less a personality than Chief Fola Adeola, Chairman FORD FOUNDATION

A four part night, it began with PART A, which began with massive arrival of guest, arrival of chairman, arrival, of chief hostess HER EXCELLENCY Mrs. ADEJOKE Orelope-Adefulire/ Dame Emmanuella Abimbola Fashola(LAGOS 1STLADY) and other eminent guest for a welcome arrival cocktail

After a merry session of part one, the event swinger to PART B, that saw the arrival ,of the distinguished guest of honor SENATOR Anyim Pius Anyim, GCON, which was subsequently followed by the rendition of the national anthem and opening prayers, it was after the massive recognition of guest that that the chairman of the night, MR Fola Adeola OFR,mni came forward to offer his opening remarks, after which a musical performance was stage and the mother Israel of our time, DR Stella Okoli OON, incidentally Chairman, Board of Directors ,Chike OKOLI Foundation came forth to offer her welcome address

With yet another musical performance, Chief host, Governor Raji Fashola (SAN) executive governor of Lagos state came to the big stage to tender his remarks, before the lights went off for the documentary of the night to be shown

Indeed, not in cement time has Africa seen such an elaborate night of panache and fine finish, elegance and beauty, it was such beauty that led us to PART C of the night, which was the section of appeal for support by board of members of Chike Okoli Foundation, made up, of CHIEF (Mrs.) Taiwo Taiwo, Chief Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa , Mrs. Uzoma Ezeoke and Ms Evelyn Oputu

It was after such wonderful and breath taking appeal for support that few of the distinguish guest in the house that night came forth to offer their remarks, that was interjected by robust music interlude and performance

Part D rounded up the night with a luxury dinner, made of 4 course setting, a raffle draw, closing remarks by Chairman, Mr. Fola Adeola, OFR, mni that subsequently followed with a vote of thanks by Chief Mrs. Uzoma Ezeoke

After the closing prayers and national anthem, it was only natural for all the distinguish guest in that house that night to get on the dance floor for a session of dance, dance dance