IT was fun, thrills and frills as the Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN) held its inauguration ceremony for the Fred Amata-led new National Executive Committee recently. The event, which took place at Ojez Lounge, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos had industry stakeholders, prominent members of DGN and top media personalities in attendance. The ceremony started at about 12pm with an opening prayer by a member of the guild, Emmanuel Ayaba. Afterwards, an upcoming comedian, Akpors stepped out to entertain guests with some funny jokes. After Akpors’ performance, the event kicked off officially with the introduction of dignitaries present, which was done by the former president of DGN, Mathias Obahiagbon, who also doubled as the M.C of the occasion.
Subsequent to that, the valedictory speech was given by the outgoing president of the association, Andy Amenechi. In his speech, he mentioned some of the achievements of his administration, which include creation of members’ database, introduction of capacity building programme, establishment of an effective banking system etc. Following this, the new president and his executives took their oath of office, which was administered by Babatunde Ogala, a Lagos lawyer and former Chairman House Committee on Justice, Lagos State House of Assembly. Thereafter, the outgoing president tendered his handover note and also handed over all the documents of the guild including the cheque book to Fred Amata. Fred then took over the mic to thank guests and to give his first speech as the president of the guild.
ALSO SEE: My dad is my number one fan — Falz Falana
‘Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, Chairman Board of Trustees, members of B.O.T here present, Presidents of all guilds here present, all other protocol observed,’ he greeted. He continued: ‘On Friday, February 26, 2016, in Asaba, DGN did not only elect a new president, DGN initiated a new clarion call, which is ‘DGN Is One.’ Motivated by that oneness, we have been energized, encouraged to have a new president in an election lauded as the freest and fairest election this guild has ever witnessed.’Today, another Friday, we are here. And I am further motivated by the exclusive assembly of your distinguish presence to witness this event in an atmosphere where no winner, no vanquished was declared. This momentum of unity was further manifested when the newly voted executives sat together in their first ever meeting that produced the mantra of this administration. That mantra is ‘Together We Can’. The ‘Together We Can’ mantra, is like the famous word of John F Kennedy ‘Ask Not What Your Guild Can Do For You, Ask What You Can Do For Your Guild.”So it’s a challenge to all of us. It is a challenge to you and I to collectively determine our future. I will like to thank the outgoing president, Mr Andy Amenechi and his sterling executives for raising the bar and establishing standards that have taken DGN forward,’ he said.
The ceremony was graced by the likes of former AGN president, Ejike Asiegbu, TAMPAN president, Dele Odule, ANTP president, Pa. Ashaolu, Ralph Nwadike, Paul Obazele, Charles Novia, Charles Nnojie, Zik Zulu Okafor, Lancelot Imasuen, Koko Yibo, Franca Brown, Keppy Bassey Ekpenyong, Kingsley Omoefe, Collins Onwochei, Dj Teeamong others.Fred Amata emerged the new President of the Directors Guild of Nigeria, DGN, after defeating Lancelot Imasuen, Dickson Iroegbuand Kingsley Omefe in a keenly contested election, held at Tourist Garden Hotels and Resort, Asaba, Delta State.Amata’s excos members include Mike Ogunwusi (VP), Ugezu Ugor (Secretary), Uchenna Agbo (Ass. Secretary) and Oduala Taiwo (P.R.O).