§ Saturday, September 5 · 6:00 PM · Traditional attire
Gala Night & Fundraiser.
Red carpet, the cultural troupe, a plated dinner, the INC Awards, the appeal — then Edwint live. MC Patrick Doyle. Guest appearance by actor Mofe Duncan.
§ The essentials
- When
- Saturday, Sept 5 · doors 7:00 PM (cocktails from 6:00)
- Where
- Grand Ballroom · SF Airport Marriott Waterfront
- Dress
- Traditional attire — Itsekiri regalia encouraged
- Dinner
- Plated — chermoula chicken or pan-seared salmon
- Bar
- Premium cash bar all evening
- Tickets
- Included with Standard/VIP · Gala Only $125 / VIP $175 · Tables $2,000 (6) / $2,500 (8)
- Master of Ceremonies
- Patrick Doyle
- Guest performer
- Edwint Toghanro (reggae-dancehall, Delta State) · 11:15 PM
§ Evening programme
Minute by minute.
Red carpet & cocktail reception
6:00 PM
Ballroom Foyer
Arrival photos and premium cash bar; the Year Two Pledge Wall opens.
Doors open
7:00 PM
Grand Ballroom
Guests seated; pledge cards & giving envelopes at every table.
Welcome dance
7:15 PM
The cultural troupe receives guests the Iwere way.
MC Patrick Doyle opens · Welcome — Chief Williams Ejuwa, Host Regional President
7:25 PM
Opening prayer & toast to His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III
7:35 PM
Cultural performances — first set
7:40 PM
Traditional dance & music. Guest appearance by actor Mofe Duncan.
Dinner service
8:30 PM
Three-course plated dinner — pan-seared chermoula chicken or pan-seared salmon; table giving at dessert.
The Itsekiri National Congress Awards
8:45 PM
Presented over dessert — Torchbearer, Pillar of Iwere, and Community Impact.
Fundraising appeal
9:20 PM
Led by the Host Region: open your banking app and scan the Zelle code.
First dance
9:40 PM
The Exco & Regional Presidents open the floor; the DJ takes over; spraying & giving welcome.
Cultural performances — second set
10:15 PM
Fundraising spotlight
10:30 PM
The MC announces the running total.
EDWINT LIVE
11:15 PM
The headline performance of the night.
Last dances — DJ
12:00 AM
Vote of thanks — Vice President Lovelance Sagay
12:20 AM
The night's giving total announced.
Good night — carriages
12:30 AM
Dancing may run to 1:00 AM.
§ The Itsekiri National Congress Awards 2026
Three honors.
Honor of the Congress · selected by the Board
The Torchbearer Award
Excellence in the Arts.
Honor of the Congress · selected by the Board
The Pillar of Iwere Award
Philanthropy.
Member award · nominated by the Regional Presidents
The Community Impact Award
One nominee from each of our eight regions. All honorees are announced on the night.
§ Fundraising runs all evening
Bridge · Build · Belong.
From the pledge wall at cocktails, to table giving at dinner, the appeal, and the spotlight before Edwint. To give right now: open your banking app and Zelle donations@itsekirinationalcongress.org — put “Gala Pledge” in the memo.
Need help this weekend?