THISDAY/ARISE Awards: A Glittering Night of Electrifying Performances

The star-studded THISDAY/ARISE Anniversary and Awards delivered a night of pure spectacle with electrifying performances from the headliner, iconic American singer Diana Ross, who, in her second appearance at the awards, proved that she still got the ‘I’m Coming Out’ energy that has made her an icon for decades, write

 Vanessa Obioha and Adedayo Adejobi 

The city of Lagos came alive last Monday when THISDAY/ARISE celebrated their 30th and 12th anniversary, respectively, with an awards night. Known for his exquisite taste for panache and class, the Chairman of THISDAY/ARISE, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, rolled out a black carpet that is befitting only for kings and queens, transforming the Convention Centre of Eko Hotels and Suites into a glittering venue for his well-heeled guests.

From the hallway, one had a sense of the tone of the evening. Photos of the recipients and nominees of the awards lined up the walls of the entrance leading to the hall. As the influential guests arrived, the black carpet sparkled under the flash of cameras. Photographers lined the entrance, their shutters clicking rapidly to capture every glamorous moment. Inside, the elegance spread through the length and breadth of the hall, with a stage that stretches from one end to the other, large enough to accommodate two screens and a band. Every inch of the venue was well utilized, from the seating arrangement to the buffet setup. Guests were treated to cocktails before moving into the main hall for a night to remember.

The evening began with a cultural troupe that stormed the stage with electrifying dance and stunts, paying homage to the strength and pride of the African continent. The hosts of the evening, Ojinika Okpe and Adefemi Akinsanya, would later emerge on stage to welcome the audience, which included politicians, titans of industry, media moguls and other influential personalities in the creative industry. Bovi, a popular comedian, complemented their hosting duties, providing comedy that lightened the ambience.

Themed ‘When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Rewarded,’ Obaigbena, in his opening remarks, recalled his humble beginnings and advice given to him by Chief Arthur Mbanefo, who at the time was on the board of This Week, the weekly publication that later metamorphosed into THISDAY.

“He told me that if you want to be an editor facing the colonial masters, you must have a back door. And that is why, when we fought the military during the Abacha years, we learned to fly without perching.

“So today, no matter what, no matter how tough, the times go, it will get tougher. So it’s a privilege to honour the best of Nigeria because we believe if we honour our best, our children will be better to start their walks today.”

Obaigbena would deliver the first set of Lifetime Achievement awards to the recipients which included the Chairman of Fidelity Bank, Mustafa Chike-Obi, founder of Stanbic IBTC Bank, Atedo Peterside, the founder of Alpine Group, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, the Chair and Publisher of the Guardian Newspaper, Maiden Ibru who declared THISDAY the number one newspaper in the country.

The Chairman’s resilience over the years were hailed by many of the awardees. For instance, Segun Agbaje, Group CEO of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc, while receiving his Titan of the Year award, expressed gratitude to Obaigbena for believing in him, Aig-Imoukhuede, and the late Herbert Wigwe when they were appointed Executive Directors at their respective banks while still in their 30s.

“He wrote a front-page article with three pictures of  three young men, saying these ‘three young men would redefine banking.’”

Other notable awards included the  Governor of the Year award,  given to four leaders—Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo Olu; Governor of Akwa Ibom, Pastor Umo Eno; Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori; and Governor of Kaduna, Uba Sani—all of whom had shown extraordinary commitment to the advancement of their state. The Senator of the Year, Adams Oshiomole and Akpoti-Uduaghan were also celebrated for their tireless work in shaping the nation’s legislative landscape, while the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, took home the award for Minister of the Year.

Equally recognised were the Young Global Leaders of the Year, whose recipients included Folake Akindele, Jennifer Adighije, Tunde Onakoya, Hon Ibrahim Bello, and Senator Asuquo Ekpeyong. Others are the Chairman and Publisher of The Sun Newspaper, Neya Uzor Kalu; Olori Atuwatse III, the Queen of the Warri Kingdom; Nnamdi Ekeh, CEO of Konga; Abdullahi Haske, Founder AA&R Investment Group; Khalil Halilu, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of NASENI.

But it was not all awards as the Nigerian musician Flavour brought the audience to their feet when he graced the stage for a scintillating performance, serenading the guests with songs that could only deliver pure musical ecstasy. Opening with ‘Ada Ada,’ Flavour would continue to tease the audience with not just his voice but with the delivery of some of his popular songs. For instance, he initially began his popular hit ‘Nwa Baby’ on a salsa note, before gradually segueing into the normal highlife/dancehall rhythm the song is known for. Always an entertainer, he acknowledged the presence of the ‘Big Ballers’ in the gathering as he sang his 2023 viral hit ‘Big Baller.’ Other songs he performed included ‘Adamma,’ ‘Shake,’  ‘Osondi Owendi,’ ‘Bottom Bele’ and ‘Game Changer.’

The icing on the cake, however, was the performance of the American legend, the 80-year-old  Diana Ross. She truly set the stage alight, leaving an indelible mark on everyone fortunate enough to witness her magnetic performance. Like a river goddess, she glided onto the stage dressed in a glittering red gown,  her entrance as captivating as it was regal. The audience gasped in awe, and for over 40 minutes, Ross demonstrated why she remains one of the most revered icons in the world of music, opening with ‘I’m Coming Out’ from her 1980 self-titled album ‘Diana,’ setting the tone for an electrifying medley as the  high-heeled audience swayed to a lineup of classics, including ‘Upside Down,’ ‘I Will Survive,’ ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,’ and ‘Why Do Fools Fall in Love.’ Ross proved that time had not dulled her musical genius and when she performed  ‘Do You Know Where You’re Going To,’ a ballad that has become an anthem for countless listeners over the years, the audience sang along. It’s a song that has defined eras and generations, and Ross brought it to life in the most sublime way imaginable. She also delighted the crowd with hits from her time with The Supremes, performing ‘Stop in the Name of Love’ and ‘You Can’t Hurry Love.’

For an audience filled with Nigeria’s most distinguished individuals, Ross’s timeless songs bridged cultures, generations, and continents. At that moment, it didn’t matter that many in the crowd were hearing these classics for the first time live. The unmistakable magic of Ross, her voice, her spirit, and her energy, transcended any divide. Her performance was a reminder that great music, great talent, and great artistry never fade; they only grow stronger with time.

Beyond her performance, Ross also expressed her deep connection to the continent. Midway through her performance, the singer, widely known as the ‘Queen of Motown Records’ paused to share her feelings of honour and gratitude. “As I stand here, (not) just as a guest, but as someone who feels deeply connected to Africa and what it represents. So ladies and gentlemen, again, I want to thank you for inviting me to be here with you.”

As the night came to a close, it was evident that the 2025 THISDAY/ARISE Awards had achieved what few events couldn’t: it had both celebrated and defined an era, bringing together Africa’s past, present, and future in one spectacular evening. From Ross’s show-stopping performance to the stunning cultural displays and the breathtaking multimedia production deployed by Nigerian US-based Sola Raji’s P3 multimedia, the event will undoubtedly remain the awards ceremony to beat for years to come. It was a celebration not only of Nigeria’s most resilient individuals but also of the indomitable spirit of those who continue to shape the world in ways both big and small.