Left
to Right- Prof Ayo Aruya of Grup Dicco, Spain, Commissioner for Higher
Education, Delta State, Prof. Hope Eghagha, daughter of Drumbeat Publisher,
Miss Gabrielle Ijorogu, Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Social Development, Mrs. Sarah Pane, Publisher of Drumbeat, Ms.
Elsie Ijorogu-Reed, son of Brig. Gen. Dominic Oneya, Emmanuel Oneya, Chief
James Egbedi, Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) factional Chairman Lagos,
Don Pedro Agambi, Chief Mrs. Onokpasa, Former Member of the
House of Representatives and Executive Secretary of Anti-Corruption Network
Otunba Dino Melaye and actress Thelma Okhaz.
Niteshift
Coliseum came alive last Saturday evening, May 3, 2014, when Deltawomen, a
non-governmental organization (NGO) unveiled Drumbeat to guests from all walks of life.
In
fact, it will be difficult for guests at the event to forget the exciting
experience they had that day as they were treated to scintillating performances
from popular artistes such as: Essence, Exotic Dancers, Chawa Khalic, Bishop
101 and many others. There was no dull moment as comedians including Gordon the
compere of the event, Don Leo, Samzy Fresh and Virgin Boy, among others, also
entertained audience with rib cracking jokes.
Speaking
at the launch, the founder of Deltawomen (NGO) and the publisher of the
magazine, Elsie Ijorogu-Reed, said, Drumbeat, a quarterly magazine which hit
newsstand last Monday, May 5, 2014, contains informative, educative and
entertaining sections including interviews, politics, tourism, career guide and articles on relationships,
health and living, fashion and beauty, entertainment and lifestyle and so on.
According
to her, “One would think that today is an opportunity for me to stand up here
before all of you and brag about myself, or about Deltawomen, and the
achievements I have secured personally or at Deltawomen. One might think that
this is a day to showcase myself. But, I will not do that. I choose to use
today to give honour to God, my Lord without whose grace, I will not be here
today!” she said.
In
continuing, she stresses, “There is a saying that you cannot teach a person how
to get out of Sokoto if you have never been to Sokoto. There have been lots of
questions and rumours on why I do what I do. Some say that I am being sponsored
by a gubernatorial aspirant. Some say that I want to go into politics or I am
looking for a political appointment. I choose to use today talk about my
passion: the reason why helping the poor is so passionate to my heart.”
Ijorogu-Reed
told a story of what she went through when she got to the United States of
America before she found her feet there and decided to use her resources to
empower the less privileged in Nigeria.
“I
want to stand up for women and girls like me. I want to be there for the many
people that nurture hopes and dreams, but cannot immediately go through with
them simply because of all the demands that poverty makes. I have one person to
thank in my journey so far: and that is God. God made plenty possible for me,
and will unhesitatingly make plenty possible for each of his children. All it
takes is to believe in him, and to look in the right places.
“In
my own little way, I have empowered hundreds of the less privileged and
provided free medical eye tests, glasses and drugs to many people in Delta and
Edo States. As we release Drumbeat magazine onto the newsstands and waiting
hands of readers today, I hope many people will be informed, educated and
entertained after reading it because it is inspiring, innovative, special and
full of life changing stories. The magazine features both national and
international articles.
“In
the words of Benjamin Franklin, “Either do something worth writing or write
something worth reading,” let us endeavour to impart our generation, especially
at this period in our nation we are facing with the challenge of terrorism. We
shall overcome!”
Also
speaking, the Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Social
Development, Mrs. Sarah Pane, said, “There are a lot to learn, millionaires can
be made from the magazine because it will be an inspirational magazine to the people. I really want to see
a wide circulation of Drumbeat because it informational and an eye opener.”
The
governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan eulogized Delta State’s
illustrious daughter, Elsie, for publishing such informative magazine.
Represented
by the Delta State Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Hope Eghagha,
Uduaghan adds, “In time like this,
Nigerians needs to be informed, so there is no doubt that Drumbeat will play a
significant role in informing and reporting factual news about issues in the
country.”
Four
people namely Anthonia Oguah, Olutosin Adebowale, Gabrielle Ijorogu and Rita
Okoye received awards for their selfless service to people.
The colourful unveiling of Drumbeat,
attracted many personalities such as: Orodje of Okpe kingdom, His Royal
Majesty, Major General Mujakperuo (RTD), Chief Mrs. Onokpasa, Chief Dominic
Oneya, Otunba Dino Melaye, Lanre Ogunkoya, Pastor S. A. Olatunji, Barr.
Emuobenuvie Majemite representing Olorogun (Barr.) Fred Majemite and Prof. Ayo
Aruya. Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) factional Chairman Lagos, Don Pedro Aganbi
graced the occasion with three of his executives namely: Thelma Okhaz, Mike
Okon, Chi White.
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