Sunday, April 6, 2025, is a day Florence Adidi, the anchor of the Broadcasters Global Forum (BGF)’s flagship weekend programme, the BGF Creative Corner, will not forget in a hurry. On that day, her Samsung A25 cell phone was stolen.
She had arrived in the Utako area of Abuja at 01h00 from Lagos, and she was compelled to spend the rest of the night with another female passenger in the AndyLiz Transport Company bus that conveyed them on the arduous road trip, as the driver said he was too tired to proceed to Mararaba, her final destination.
How it happened
“We remained at the park until a few minutes past 7 am when a scavenger, popularly known as Mai Bowler, walked close to the bus where I sat to pick up an empty water bottle. I asked him out of kindness whether he wanted more bottles, to which he answered in the affirmative, so I allowed him onto the bus to pick more of the bottles. I even bent over backwards to help him pick some more, and that was the moment the thief stole my phone,” she recalled.
Impact
Losing a phone can be devastating, especially for a journalist with scores of contacts and loads of content stored on the device without backup. Most phone users procrastinate when it comes to backing up the data and media on their devices, regularly. Florence is not an exception. Therefore, for her, the experience was shattering.
Anyone who has lost a phone knows the feeling of helplessness and frustration from being without the device, which has, invariably, become man’s closest companion.
This is even more so in this economy, in which an average monthly salary cannot afford a reliable Android phone.
“Well, the first thought that went through my mind was all the information inside my phone. So, I started praying about it immediately. I asked the Holy Spirit of God to help me, first by keeping my mind intact, as I didn’t want to lose my mind as a result of the theft, so I could act reasonably. That prayer was instantly answered as an inexplicable calmness descended on me,” Adidi, fondly called Sister Floo, told this writer.
Support
Her fate could have been worse but for the appreciative and caring BGF members who promptly endorsed a #LET’S GET SISTER FLOO A NEW PHONE appeal fund, after a concerned member, Usman Toungo, brought the incident to the attention of the 382-member House. The appeal yielded enough funds to procure an Infinix HOT 50i replacement of the stolen phone to mitigate her loss.
Appreciation
On behalf of the members, BGF Convener, Tony Ekata, expressed what he termed a “MASSIVE THANK YOU” to all members for their kind support in accomplishing the communal task and prayed that God would richly replenish the resources of all the donors.
“We do not take the approval of the house to embark on this project for granted. It demonstrates that all members appreciate diligence and selfless service, epitomised by Florence Adidi’s dedication to her responsibility as the host of our flagship weekend programme, the BGF CREATIVE CORNER. Undoubtedly, we shall continue to rise to the occasion when the need arises,” he said in a statement of appreciation.
“Special thanks to Usman Toungo, who brought the unpalatable incident to the attention of the house, unreservedly availed his time and account number to collect the contributions, and saw the project to a fruitful conclusion with the purchase and presentation of the new phone to Sister Floo.
“Nwannukwu Chirotalu also devoted her time, despite her very tight official schedule, and pulled some strings behind the scenes to ensure the success of the project.
“Congratulations to Florence, the beneficiary of this awesome goodwill. Remember, the real reward for good work is more work.
“To all, I say, let’s not relent in doing good and putting our best into everything we do. The reward always comes in unexpected ways,” the statement concluded.
Gratitude
Adidi duly expressed her gratitude to members:
“With a heart filled with gratitude, I want to say a big big thank you to everyone who contributed to making this phone I’m using now a reality. I feel so overwhelmed by your show of liquid love towards me, and I am indeed short of words to express the depth of my appreciation to you all. My prayer for you is that you will never lack help in your moment of need. God will continue to prompt people to bless you. May perfect and divine health be your present hour reality every day, and may God lavish his extravagant grace on you. In this journey of your life, may you continue to go upwards and forwards, with notable achievements all the way. May you catch up with your peers and overtake them, and may life be generally sweet for you, in Jesus’ mighty name,” the beneficiary, also known as Pastor Floo, prayed.
She has since returned to her beat of entertaining, educating, and inspiring members every weekend on the programme, BGF CREATIVE CORNER.
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