Myke Ikoku ..A Man With A Heart Of Gold (Tribute By CKN)

I have always been a very good event manager and planner..Right from my early days at LTC Advertising Apapa,when as an Assistant Client Service Executive i initiated what later became the biggest social event in the Advertising Industry in Nigeria called the Advertising Agency Funfair.Other members of that team included Kola Ogunshote then of STB now at Glo,Kayode Olagesin then of S O & U,now of COSSE,Busola Williams then of Insight Communications and a host of other friends.On my own i have also organized several events like the Nigeria Media Friends Award, SESE Award, African Parliamentary Awards, FRSC Celebrity Marshals Inductions, Laff For Nuttin etc.But sometime in 2008,all these experienced was almost rubbished when i decided to organized the 1st Ikenga Merit Award and Miss Ikenga Pageant.I like hosting my events in Lagos and Abuja where i will be in total control .But some people convinced me to host the Ikenga Event in the South East especially in Owerri since it was an Igbo event. They agreed to support me financially.I foolishly accepted to do that for the love of my people. But i didnt know that was my greatest undoing. For three weeks i was shuttling between Lagos and Owerri. We had a casting for over 20 Ladies as Miss Ikenga,we housed them for one full week in a hotel. We sent out invitation cards for the awards to all the nominees. At the last count i spent thousands of my own money. I went broke suddenly. All those that pushed me into taking the event to Owerri abandoned me at the last moment. No one was ready to assist me. I was devastated. I wanted to sell my only car. The event was all over the media.I was stucked,Two days to the event,i have not paid for the venue.Other logistics were in total shamble.I had no one to run to,the ONLY person with me was Faruk Madu..A guy i wlll never forget for the rest of my life.What do we do,do we cancel the event.While i was in this terrible state of mind,Faruk called me.He said,IKENGA (Thats my name in the Entertainment Industry).I know of someone who can help.Just pray he is in Owerri,if you meet and explain things to him.He will help you.Itold him,i don’t trust anyone any more especially an Igbo man.I knew if it was in lagos,my YORUBA guys will rally around me,they have done it several times.These Igbo guys are full of shit,i told him.He asked me to calm down.He made some calls and was informed the guy just came into town.His manager Ajeroh fixed an appointment for me to see him.24 hours to the event,i met him at the pool side of his massive hotel.He looked so young.He was watching me as i spoke, apparently trying to size me up if i was telling the truth.After narrating my plight,he asked me to wait.In five minutes time he was back.He asked me how much i needed i told him N150,000 and a hall.
He wrote out a cheque for N200,000 and ask me to go and cash it at BankPHB Owerri.He went ahead to instruct his staff,to give me the most expensive hall in Owerri then free of Charge.
I was in total shock,i cried and cried .He asked me to clean my tears,that not ALL IGBOS are bad people.He gave another instruction that i should be given an executive room in his hotel ,the most expensive hotel in Owerri then and i think till now.
The rest was History that was how I hosted the 1st and last Ikenga Merit Award and Miss Ikenga in Owerri in 2008.
I vowed not to repeat same mistake again. For years many of my friends asked me why we ve not had the second edition of that Award.This is the first time i am telling that story.
That was not the last encounter i had with him.Since then,he has remained a pillar of sort. He has been my number one Financial backer.He has not taken back anything he gave me.
He never ever made any request off me.
About a year ago, when one of our colleagues (Amadi Ogbonna) died and we were running into some financial crisis called him and pronto ,he gave us a huge amount.
These are just few of the many kind hearted gestures of him. No single entertainment practitioner in the country who have not benefited one or two things from him.
He has also sponsored several people into political office and they in turn back to stab him at the back.
This is the man we call “Ajasi Nkwerre” or Chairman.Today is the birthday of my brother, friend and benefactor,Evangelist Myke Ikoku,Chairman Obiron Groups and All Seasons Hotel Group ,Owerri.I am grateful Sir. May you never lack in Jesus name. Happy Birthday Boss.
His son, Libert T songs are making waves across the globe now as a budding artiste. Get a copy now.

 

Chris Kehinde Nwandu Is Publisher /Editor In Chief CKN Media Group

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