Globacom pulled out of Sammie Okposo's London show @ last minute
Author: SAMUEL OLATUNJI
Date: Sun, 17 Aug 2008
Date: Sun, 17 Aug 2008
After enjoying massive media patronage as the major sponsor of Out of Africa, the Sammie Okposo's London event, Globacom, the telecommunications giant pulled out of the event at the last minute giving Sammie, a heartache that could best be described as suicidal. And that Sammie Okposo did not commit suicide; many thanks should go to Governor Uduaghan of Delta State who bailed the Warri born musician out.
The sponsorship contract signed by Mr. Tolu H.I, Financial Controller of Glo, stipulates that the Wellu Wellu crooner should not seek any other sponsor as the communication company would want to enjoy exclusive sponsorship deal. It was even suggested that Out of Africa's platform would be used to present the formal launch of Glo recharge card sales in the City of London. And playing according to the rules of the book, Sammie foreclosed other sponsors and went to town that Glo was the main thing.
But when the time came for him to collect the cheque a week to the event that has been advertised on air and print media, Glo told him they have pulled out of the event. To say Sammie was shell-shocked was understatement. He almost collapsed. He started running from pillar to post because it was too late for him to seek any other sponsor. Luck, however, came his way via big brother Richard Mofe Damijo (RMD), who is now a Special Adviser to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan who informed his principal of Sammie's plight, who is a son of the soil.
The governor bailed him out 48 hours to the event. It was that act of benevolence that solved the rising blood pressure of the gospel star. 'Sammie almost died, thanks to Governor Uduaghan', a source closed to him reveals.
When we contacted Sammie, he refused to comment on the issue because he is one of the 'Glo Ambassadors'. 'My brother, just thank God for me' was all he said.
We don't know why Glo did what they did, especially to one of their own ambassadors, but what we however know is that Glo's reputation as a reliable company in relation to this is in sharp contrast.
