By Abdulazeez Arowona, PhD
In my over 27 countries of travel history, no trip has drained me, stretched me and fulfilled me at the same time like Athens.
I am a member of NIPR and many other professional bodies within and outside Nigeria, therefore International Public Relations Association (IPRA) is another big fit for me.
The Ilorin Prelude
Barely 24 hours to my scheduled travel to Europe, I hosted the Managing Director/CEO of Image Merchants Promotion Limited, publishers of PRNigeria, Mallam Yushau Shuaib, at Emirate Radio 98.5FM, Ilorin.
He came in company of the Young Communication Fellows. From the studio, we proceeded straight to pay royal homage to the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman, Kwara State Traditional Rulers Council, Mai-Martaba Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR.
After the palace tour, we returned to the Radio House where I personally conducted our guests around our facilities.
It was during our tête-à-tête that Mallam Yushau told me about the 2026 IPRA Golden World Awards coming up in Athens, and that he was a finalist. I told him, “By the grace of God, I will also be part of the event.”
The next day, I flew to the Republic of Poland as planned. A few days later, he called. His Schengen visa had been refused. Since I hold an EU Resident Card, I assured him: “I will be there. And I will do everything within my professional experience to cover up for you.”
The Test From Almighty Allah – The Flight I Missed
This was the first ticket I bought for Athens. Unfortunately, I missed it. I felt so bad. But I knew it was a test from Almighty Allah. But I didn’t give up.
Confirmation: KWPGHG – Wizz Air W6 1423 – 23/09/2026, 11:40 – Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW), Warsaw, Poland → M. R. Štefánik Airport (BTS), Bratislava, Slovakia
Confirmation: OL3N2C – Wizz Air W6 7035 – 23/09/2026, 19:33 – Bratislava (BTS) → Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH), Greece
After missing that flight on September 23rd, I returned back to Lublin to replan my movement.
The Comeback: 8 Hours 30 Minutes Night Train From Lublin
From Lublin, I started all over again. As confirmed by my KOLEO tickets issued on 24.09.2026 by PKP Intercity S.A:
24.09, 20:25 – Lublin Główny → Warszawa Centralna, IC 3118, Wagon 14, Place 41, 33.15 PLN
24.09, 23:10 – Warszawa Centralna → Wrocław Główny, IC 16170, 69.48 PLN
8 hours 30 minutes all night on rail. I arrived Wrocław Główny at exactly 4:30 a.m. on September 25th and headed straight to Wrocław–Copernicus Airport (WRO).
Four Lufthansa Flights That Saved The Mission
Booking Code: YPJK3V
LH1635, 25 September 2026, 06:10, Gate 006 – Wrocław–Copernicus Airport (WRO) → Munich International Airport – Franz Josef Strauss Airport (MUC), Germany
LH1750, 25 September 2026, 08:25, Gate K06 – Munich International Airport (MUC) → Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH), Greece
Booking Code: ZHLMKS
LH1755, 26 September 2026, 19:45, Gate B12 – ATH → MUC
LH1626, 26 September 2026, 22:10, Gate K21 – MUC → John Paul II International Airport Kraków–Balice (KRK), Poland – Kraków Lotnisko Airport
Return: 27.09, 05:40 – Kraków Lotnisko Airport (KRK) → Kraków MDA Bus Station, FlixBus M3132 and 06:26 – Kraków Główny → Lublin Główny, IC 3206, Wagon 11, Place 43.
The 45-Kilometre Airport Metro
After landing at Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH), I enjoyed the Airport Metro – about a 45-kilometre journey from the airport to the city centre.
The metro system is highly perfect, effective and cost-effective. While others were entering car drops which cost about €50, the train cost just a token of €9. For €9, I had comfort, punctuality and a perfect view of Athens unfolding from airport to Acropolis. It dropped me a few minutes walk to Hotel Grande Bretagne, venue of the awards.
The Trip I Couldn’t Make – Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
I had wanted to visit the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in order to honour one of my teachers at the University of Ilorin, Late Professor Arthur Ebunola Davies, an alumnus of the great citadel of learning.
Professor Arthur Ebunola Davies had said so much about the institution. As his student, I had carried that dream to one day stand where he once stood.
Aristotle University, located in Thessaloniki, about 350km from Athens, is Greece’s largest university and one of the most respected in Europe. I had it in my itinerary.
But I was completely worn out. After the missed Wizz Air flights, the return to Lublin, the all-night train from Lublin to Warsaw to Wrocław, four Lufthansa flights in 36 hours, and the marathon coverage at Grande Bretagne, my body could no longer carry the ambition.
I couldn’t do the 350km trip to Thessaloniki. I sat in Athens and whispered a prayer for my late teacher, Professor Arthur Ebunola Davies. His legacy lives on, and his stories about Aristotle University made me love Greece long before I landed.
Insha Allah, I will return to honour him properly.
When I Became The Newsroom
At Grande Bretagne, over seventy countries gathered. I was supposed to be seated as a participant, but I became the newsroom.
I was in the company of the Comptroller-General of Customs Service, CG Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, a seasoned media and public relations expert who also doubles as the Chairman of Image Merchants Promotion Limited, Associate Professor Sule Ya’u Sule, Director of Corporate Communications of NITDA, Hajia Hadiza Umar, the National PRO of Nigeria Customs Service, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada, among other PR experts.
First shot on ROYAL NEWS: PHOTOS: World PR Professionals Gather in Athens for 2026 IPRA GWA Gala
https://royalnews.com.ng/photos-world-pr-professionals-gather-in-athens-for-2026-ipra-gwa-gala/
The next shot: PHOTO NEWS: Image Merchants Promotion Ltd, NITDA, CCC Shine At IPRA 2026 Golden Awrds Night In Athens https://royalnews.com.ng/photo-news-image-merchants-promotion-ltd-nitda-ccc-shine-at-ipra-2026-golden-awards-night-in-athens/
Immediately the event commenced, I mounted my tripod and began live-streaming via Emirate Radio 98.5FM Facebook, supported by FEMTECH Technologies Ltd.
When CG Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi received his award, myself and the Customs PRO interviewed him. I transcribed it on the marble floor and fired the story instantly: Customs CG Adeniyi Receives IPRA Award As PRNigeria, NITDA, CCC Also Shine In Athens
https://royalnews.com.ng/customs-cg-adeniyi-receives-ipra-award-as-prnigeria-nitda-ccc-also-shine-in-athens/
That night, ROYAL NEWS and Emirate Radio 98.5 FM became the only two Nigerian-based platforms that covered the event live from Athens.
Mallam Yushau later told me: “My brother with all what you did there, I must confess to you that I didn’t miss anything and I didn’t regret not travelling to Athens.”
That was my real award.
Special Appreciation
My special appreciation goes to His Royal Highness, the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman, Kwara State Traditional Rulers Council, Mai-Martaba Alhaji (Dr.) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR, for his confidence and trust in me to be his spokesman, maintaining his public image and reputation.
To my wife, Dr. Misitura Lawal, for her concerns, prayers, encouragement and unwavering support throughout the trips.
To Alhaji Ibrahim Salman, for his fatherly support and guidance.
I also thank my brother and friend, Chief Otunola Adebayo Awoniyi for his prompt response to a call that added value to the trip.
To my beloved children, Saleh Modibbo Abdulazeez and Abdus-sobur Abdulazeez, whose love and understanding gave me the strength to keep going.
To the big guy in the house, Abdullahi Oluwashina Bello, for his support too.
And to Mallam Yushau A. Shuaib, for paving the ways and still planning to do more. Although his visa was denied, he was fulfilled at the end.
Thank you all for standing by me.
Arowona Abdulazeez, a journalist, public relations expert writes from Lublin, Poland via sardauna2@gmail.com.
