The founder of the CMC Gladiators of repute and Chief Convener of the CMC Africa Award of Excellence, Ambassador Cornell Udofia, on Sunday, September 26, 2021 hosted the 5th edition of the CMC Africa Award of Excellence, at Sheraton Hotels, Ikeja, Lagos.

Amb. Udofia, who has gathered unquantifiable and classic world class experiences and exposures in public relations and the media world for over two decades, said undoubtedly, the credibility of the award is second to none due to the pedigree and stature of the patrons and members of the CMC Gladiators’ group and the well-meaning professional, creative and iconic personalities who identified with the group and the award ceremony both from Nigeria and abroad.

The patrons of the CMC Gladiators include Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), the Akpakpa Vicky Vicky of Edoland; and Chief (Dr) Etubom Samson U. Samson, President General Akwacross worldwide. This year's 2021 award ceremony of the CMC Africa was chaired by Chief Abimbola Moyosore Aboderin, a quintessential personality of the CMC Gladiators of repute.

In his speech, the chairman opined that the theme of the award ceremony, which is “Peace and Security Imperative to National Development”, which captivated him, remains one of his major reason for accepting to chair the 5th edition of the CMC Afrca Awards. Chief Aboderin said: “The topic of the event cannot be more timely than now when our great nation is going through one form of civil unrest to the other.”

He also unveiled the Gladiators Magazine, CMC Football Jersey and Foundation of the CMC Gladiators with other important dignitaries, such as Shina Peters (Star), Deputy Comptroller of Immigration (DCI) Olugbenga Ayegbusi, veteran musician and presenter of True Nigerian on TV Zakky Adzay, Deputy Commandant Apeh Daniel, DCP Lizzie Ekpendu, officer-in-charge of female correctional centre Kirikiri, Apapa Lagos, Chief (Dr) Etubom Samson U. Samson, Chief Joseph Odobeatu, chairman of Ojez Entertainment, Hon. Kingsley Ikoro, Deputy Majority Leader Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Chief Solomon Ogbonna, President Ohanaeze Ndigbo of Lagos, Joan Agbor Movie Actors, Nazareth Jesse Mayor of Actors guild of Nigeria Abuja Chapter, just to mention a few.

The aim of the foundation, he said, is to reach out to the youths in the communities and the larger society in Nigeria. The group believed that the foundation will help to solve the many socio-economic challenges caused by unemployment and insecurity in particular.

In addition, this year’s award ceremony, which was held amidst a lot of music, fun, glamour, ecstacy and high – level event standard, was well attended by legislators, top government functionaries, educationists, ICT gurus, ex-international footballers, ace artistes, top media brands and over 50 journalists, actors and actresses, top security heads and chiefs, professionals, business men, traditional rulers, iconic personalities and well meaning Nigerians and foreigners some of which were also awardees at the star studded event. The event had the presence of the likes of Mr. Babajide Kolade Otitoju, Group Head Current and Public Affairs TVC Communications, Etim Esin ex- international, MC Shakara Award winning comic actor, Klint d Drunk Award winning Comic Actor, Elder O Award winning comedian & OAP with Inspirational FM, Sir Shina Peters Award winning music legend, Zaaki Azzay Award winning music legend and presenter of True Nigeria, Muma G Africa's most energetic music goddess, Daddy Fresh music legend, King Wadada legendary music icon, Maureen Okpoko movie star with a difference, Effiong Nyong veteran supports broadcaster, Dr Cynthia Gregg, CEO of Signature Security, Princess Lilian Odumosu award winning newscaster with LTV, Chief Emmanuel Efeni Deputy Managing Director Arise TV, Director Emma Unegbu, United States of America-based movie director, Amb. Labcelot Odua Imasuen, veteran movie director, Amb. Felix Duke, veteran music icon and vresident creative industry group, Betty Jobando Gospel Minister from Kenya, Peter Rufai ex-Super Eagles goal tender, Tessy White, politician, make-up artiste and humanitarian, T. Shock Remedy, fast rising music diva.

While thanking the attendees and awardees, Udofia promised to continue to use his Public Relations expertise, which has spanned over two decades to set a new pace and blaze new trails in the media industry in Nigeria and Africa. He also assured Nigerians that the CMC Gladiators of Repute & Cornel Entertainment will continue to celebrate people who are doing excellently well in their various private or public endeavours either noticed or unnoticed. He is also of the belief that such gestures and honours will spur others to continue to passionately use their God-given talents and expertise to develop our nation without fear or favour.

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