Aphy's Transcripts...Be Me Chronicles : Etisalat Launches iPhone 6

Got invited to my very first Nigerian event. Yes, I got an invite in my email, a "You are cordially invited to…" and I felt so honored that I RSVP'd almost immediately.

Etisalat was hosting a launch party, an iParty, for the iPhone 6. Yes, that iPhone 6 that's been out for ages. Well, Nigeria just got a hold of it and it was courtesy of Etisalat. The event was held at EKO Hotel, a few banquet halls from the photography competition I bumped into last month. I'll give a few nifty notes about the event because so much happened, so much and I have the giggly pictures to prove it.

First off, Etisalat did not negotiate an exclusive partnership with Apple for the iPhone 6. I found that to be a commercial misstep. I explained to the Apple tech the exclusivity deal AT&T had brokered with the first iPhone that garnered AT&T lotsa subscribers just for the love of the iPhone. Etisalat had worked out a few kinks to get you to stay with their network (free 1.5GB of data, better coverage), but I just thought that wasn't enough leverage to position them competitively in the marketplace with the other networks and the fanatic iPhone fans. Also, the time lag between the official release of the iPhone 6 in America and its availability in Nigeria is just too much. Back in the day, owning an iPhone 3 days after release would make you seem stale/uncool in front of all the cool kids, let alone 6 weeks after its release. Nevertheless, Etisalat was excited about having the iPhone 6 and they threw one hell of a shindig to celebrate this feat.

Got there, and there was a check in table, which I expected since there was an invite email. Since I RSVPd, I didn't expect to wait more than a few moments. I thought wrong. The check in process was to put it mildly, a "Hot Mess" only savored by the politeness of the hostesses. There was a list comprised of emails but my name was on it. There was also a separate list the ladies looked at on their computers, but no Anita. I had to eventually retrieve the email from my phone and present it to them to prove that I was indeed invited before they could check me in. Sending in an RSVP made no difference whatsoever, they worked off email addresses that were compiled through God knows where and they just sat around their table looking confused as to why the compiled list didn't hold all the names. It was not a good way to greet your guests, to have them jump through loopholes (in the Naija heat no doubt) to get into a party you invited them to. I shook it off and went inside destined to have a good time.

As they set up for the party we were kept in a nifty waiting room surrounded by iPhones on display, set up similar to an Apple store with Apple technicians available to explain the brand and pricing. This gave people a chance to check out the merchandise and decide if it was a good value - at a whopping N132,000, not really. It made me miss getting a new phone courtesy of a phone plan.

Fruit juices were passed round. Yep, fruit punch, pineapple, orange, mango, different fruit drinks and soda/minerals. NO ALCOHOL!!!!! I was beside myself. They have got to be kidding. They had a whole bunch of adults mingling after work drinking soda and fruit drinks like kids. They even gave us glow sticks like we were going to some sort of rave. All that and no alcohol. Not a Good Look. This quickly brought the energy level down as we all stood there discussing the iPhones and sipping our fruity drinks. Some used it as an opportunity to network/schmooze while I used it to perfect my selfie pose.

I was still biting until one of the event planners explained that they were pacing themselves for the main event. Indeed they were because things kicked up a few notches, more like octaves, once we got inside for the live events, live music, two DJs, strobe lighting, and plenty of liquor - Champagne, cognac, white and red wine flowed in copious amounts. It was like a free for all. Alcohol and live music made all the difference plus it was a crowd that had their volumes significantly lowered in the waiting room. Folks were just itching to get into something. The entertainment that was lined up was fantastic very energetic, contemporary and fresh. Yemi Alade, some hip hop dancers, a comedian. It was very suited to the audience, colorful, hip and high tempo.

Etisalat knows how to throw a good party.

I sadly didn't win any of the prizes - an iPhone 6 and a Business class return trip from Abu Dhabi courtesy of Etihad Airways. But the guy I shared my invite with (Yes, I forwarded the email invite) won an iPhone 6. I guess I was his lucky charm.

Scenes from the waiting room

I captured the iPhone nestled btw my drinks and glow stick

One of many selfies. Getting better or no?

Main event stage

Packed room at the main event

Just love these little white couches we all sat in. LOVE

Dare Alade - Host on stage

Hip Hop dancers

White love seat. Careful don't spill the red wine.

Yemi Alade - spent the whole time staring at her thighs

On my way out I bumped into the Etisalat photography exhibit in one of the banquet halls - the event I covered in A Selfie in Time. There were a few new pictures and some of our old friends.