It was an evening of conviviality and camaraderie on Saturday, 30 March, when friends and colleagues —under the auspices of The RealtimeMovieArts Group— gathered to honour one of their own, Dr. Husseini Shuaibu on his appointment and resumption as the new Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Film and Video Censors Board. The exclusive reception held inside the arena of COSON House in Ikeja, Lagos was also designed as an informal evening of reunion for members of this 10 year-old professional group led by Dr. Shaibu, and made up of publishers, editors, and CEOs of various media outfits.
The close-knit event —with veteran broadcast journalist, Segun Adebowale as the compere— had COSON Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji, supported by Ms Bernice Eriemeghe, COSON GM as Special Guests of honour. The event kicked off with prayer by Nonye Ben-Nwankwo, after which members of the group were introduced.
A number of Realtime members including Yemi Oladehinde, Juliet Bumah, Dorah Osas, Alozie Uzokwu, Abidemi Dairo and Nkarenyi Ukonu used the opportunity to talk about the Shaibu they knew. It was a bouquet of praise, endearment, appreciation and in their usual manner, jokes and jibes at Shuaibu also fondly called CJ. Also, members of the Realtime who are now in the Diaspora joined in the celebration virtually. The eulogies were capped with tribute from Chief Okoroji who spoke about the good and versatility of Shaibu. The COSON Chairman later presented, on behalf of RealTime members, a commemorative plaque to the new Film and Video Censors Board boss who attended the reception alongside his adorable wife, Ruth.
The visibly elated Dr. Shaibu, in his remarks, thanked every member of the group for the honour done to him. He expressed his appreciation for the calls and prayers of members from the first day his appointment was confirmed in January till his resumption in March.
Dr. Shaibu assured everyone that he would not disappoint and would surely represent them very well. Top Entertainment journalist, Gbenga ‘Baron’ Bada later gave the toast at the event and the evening was fully declared open, with good food and choice drinks flowing. The new Censors board boss is a veteran journalist, culture administrator, dancer, film critic and communication teacher.