Ovation magazine issue 175

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SINCE 1996

THE COLOURFUL WEDDING OF HALIMA BABANGIDA AND AUWAL ABDULLAHI

THE GRAND 10TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF

ESTHER ABIMBOLA AJAYI’S REV. MOTHER

LOVE OF CHRIST GENERATION C&S CHURCH IN CLAPHAM, LONDON

© OVATION 2017

CHIEF (MRS.) SHADE OKOYA's

FABULOUS FORTIETH BIRTHDAY PARTY

INTRODUCING

OVATION LUXURY

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ISSN-1362-7309 Issue 175

CREW PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Dele Momodu momodudele@yahoo.co.uk

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Mobolaji Momodu EDITOR Michael Effiong

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REV. MOTHER ESTHER

ABIMBOLA AJAYI C E L E B R AT E S

10TH

A N N I V E R S A RY O F

LOVE OF CHRIST GENERATION C&S CHURCH CLAPHAM, LONDON IN GRAND STYLE Story & Interview: Dele Momodu & Michael Effiong Photo: Isaac Adegbite, Dragan Mikki & Official Album

N

Rev. Mother Esther Abimbola Ajayi

ever judge a book by its cover.

This age long saying of the wise is perfectly true for Reverend Mother Esther Abimbola Ajayi.

This amazing woman of God is breaking grounds and like her Biblical namesake is finding favour in the eyes of not mere men but Presidents, Monarchs and leading lights of society.

But like all successful people, no sooner had she become prominent that tales have begun to emerge about her, some have been positive, others negative.

But everything you have heard or read about this powerful, spirit-filled daughter of the Most High pales into insignificance when you meet the lady fondly called Iya Aladura one and one. She is a charmer.

Yes. She has a charming, disarming smile and joie de vivre that can light up the darkest of rooms as we found out during our encounter inside the 5-star Shangri La The Shad Hotel, London.

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“Esther found favour in the eyes of all who saw her -Esther 2-15 ”

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Rev. Mother Esther Abimbola Ajayi & His Eminence Dr. Solomon Adegboyega Alao

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“ No matter how deep

your debt is, the Lord can free you from it but you have to give. I started giving the little I had, the more I gave, the more increase I had.

The Lord wants many people to give the little they have now, so as the get more. I can tell you that it works. If it worked for me, it will work for you. The book of Luke 6: 38 says, “give and it shall be given unto you.

”

That meeting gave an inkling into why her church, Love of Christ Generation (Cherubim & Seraphim) Church in Clapham, London is making waves. She is a stickler for time who has penchant for hard work and excellence.

Her church has grown in leaps and bounds not for anything but on account of its magnificent worship centre (a Grade A-listed Cathedral), its bubbly style of worship and its strict adherence to Biblical values.

Little wonder that the 10th Anniversary of her Love of Christ Generation (C&S) Church was so well publicised that it literarily shook the ancient city. The Thanksgiving Service themed “Harvest of Divine Favour” was not only well-attended but was joyous, soul-lifting, and angelic.

The church is taking Christendom by storm, and the lady at the centre of this spiritual revolution is so unassuming and humble that you wonder if she is from another planet. Those who do not know her trajectory will weave all manner of stories around her life story but life has not always been rosy.

Before she embarked on this spiritual sojourn, Rev. Mother Esther Ajayi was enjoying her life to the hilt in Nigeria.

She was having what could be considered a fulfilling life. Loving husband, lovely children and a thriving business.

Though she was a serious Christian and a member of the C & S, she never saw herself as the preaching type. A couple of people have been telling her that she has some spiritual powers, but she usually laughed those sort of comments off. In the inside of her however, she was convinced that everyone’s steps are ordered by God. She fervently believed that God can take anyone or anything and do great things with him or her. Thus, when it was obvious that she had been called, unlike Jonah who initially ran from serving the Lord, Rev. Mother Esther stunned many close friends and family

members when she decided to uproot her steady life in Nigeria to head to the UK with her young children.

According to her, she had no firm plans at the time.

All she wanted to do was to obey God and relocate to United Kingdom to preach the word. The only thing she held on to at that time, which has remained her strongest weapon is her unshakeable faith in God. The kind of faith she has now christened Crazy Faith.

The beginning was rough and tough, there were so many travails and tribulations, things were so bad that at some point, she and her family were homeless, they were living off a suitcase and sleeping in a Bed and Breakfast. Like Job, she did not curse God for bringing her all the way to suffer, she praised and worshipped him the more.

In fact, it was in the midst of this turmoil that her church which began in her living room with her children began to take shape and began to develop amazing dreams. One of those seemingly fantastic dreams was to have a cathedral, a befitting place of worship for the Lord.

She stated that when she saw the Church property, she at once knew that “This was it”. It met all the criteria for her kind of church, but there was a snag.

She did not have the jaw-dropping five million pounds asking price minus renovation.

They do not call her Iya Aladura (Female Prayer Warrior) for nothing. She got pictures of the property.

Pinned them to her wall and began daily prayers.

She prayed without ceasing.

God soon performed the most outstanding of miracles. According to her, one day, she got a call on her Church’s official prayer line and as is her usual practice, began the session by praising God and mentioning His name so many times.

The person on the other side of the line was so impressed that she decided to personally visit Iya Aladura Esther Abimbola Ajayi. During that face to face meeting, the Rev. Mother again began her

wonderful praise routine. And the lady was surprised that the spiritually endowed Woman of God was mentioning the different names of God so effortlessly, confessing that she had thought while on the other side of the phone that Rev. Mother Esther Ajayi was reeling them out from a book.

It was this woman and her husband who eventually paid for the Church property, its renovation and laid the foundation from which Love of Christ Generation Church has built on to reach its present pedestal. God surely works in mysterious ways.

During our meeting, her confidence, optimism and unshakeable faith in the powers of God Almighty so filled the room, that it was very infectious. She was quick to say “Christ is in me that I can do all things through Christ” Technically, giving all the Glory to God. Impressive!

We also observed that she has an unapologetic swagga, a unique style that people who are familiar with the C&S church rarely see. Indeed, she said she has set out to create a buzz by breaking the myths around that Christian sect. Her goal is to show that apart from the white garment, the C &S has swag and can attract the youths and upwardly-mobile generation.

One thing we also noticed was her energy, she attributes this to a healthy, disciplined lifestyle.

She actually teaches healthy living through her Fit Faith Club-and she revealed that serving God, for her, is a total package.

During this our engaging interview conducted by our Publisher, Dele Momodu and Editor, Michael Effiong, Evangelist Ajayi was completely at ease with herself. It was a cheerful, honest and revealing encounter… Enjoy

Reverend Mother, we have seen a lot of your pictures, and you were always smiling, is there a reason behind this

The thing about me is that I believe that “as a man thinketh, so he is.”My heart is always pure; as I am looking at you, I am looking at someone who will become a billionaire tomorrow. That’s how I think,

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“ The 10th

Anniversary of her Love of Christ Generation (C&S) Church was so well publicised that it literarily shook the ancient city. The Thanksgiving Service themed “Harvest of Divine Favour” was not only well-attended but was joyous, soul-lifting and angelic.

”

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“ We are

Cherubim and Seraphim but we want to change the face of white garment churches.

that’s my mind- a free heart. Come to think of it, when you are angry; you cannot smile nor say good things. So, why don’t you remain pure hearted and do your thing naturally…I do my thing differently. I smile because it spreads joy. It is also healthy to smile.

How did your encounter with Christ start

My encounter with Jesus Christ is actually an interesting one. I have always been having dreams; sometimes I see myself holding a very big Bible.

Sometimes in my dream, I see myself grabbing some people and getting fetish things out of churches. And then, some people have said to me when I visit churches and different prayer mountains that I was destined to do God’s work; at such occasions, I usually laughed. I never took any of such predictions seriously.

However, in 1997, I was in Abuja at that time and the then National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) was owing me N4.2million for some apartments that I furnished for them. I was into interior and furnishing business.

I was in a taxi one of those days and the driver was taking me home to pray. I believe in hours of prayer (9,12, 3 and 6). So, it was 3:o’clock in the afternoon, and I started praying, and the guy said in Yoruba “mama e n gbadura ni?” (Mama, are you praying?), and I replied in the affirmative. Like I said, I do my thing (pray) at any place; it might be 2minutes or 3, I will just do it. And my prayer point was that the money NEPA was owing me that God should intervene, so that I will get paid. The driver joined me to say Amen.

Thereafter, he informed me that there was someone we should also consult for prayers on the matter.

He mentioned Mrs. Esther Okutoyinbo, whom he described as a spiritual mother that was living in Abuja.

When we got there, immediately she saw me, The Woman of God said; “our mother, pray for me; if you don’t pray for me, I would not allow you leave this place.” I was confused. I asked myself, what is she saying?

I had come for prayers but I now have to pray for the same person I had come to help me pray. Anyway, to make the lady happy, I prayed and she kept shouting Amen Amen When I finished, she said look; “You are going to be a great preacher of the Word, all over the world.” She then told me firmly; This is the sign that will tell that God wants to use you, the money they are owing you; they are going to pay it in the next seven days…”That was a heart-warming prediction for me, it was the kind of news I wanted to hear, because I had borrowed the funds used to execute the job from Intercontinental Bank and the bank was charging me N180, 000 per month interest on the facility.

Days later, I went to visit General Oladiipo Diya, my husband is from Odogbolu, and had gone to see him as a desperate measure because he had

”

warned me never to take any government contract.

I had sneaked behind his back to get this one and since I had run into problem, I had no choice but to let him know.

And seek his help.

When I told him the misfortune that had befallen me, And he said “but I have told you not to go near this government to do anything. Anyway, who is there?

Abulu…” He called on Major Abulu, one of his aides. He instructed Major Abulu to go with me to NEPA the next day. Luckily for me, Abulu is one of those his aides I have lways been nice to, so he was very eager to carry out the instruction from his General.

So, Abulu went with me to NEPA; to cut the long story short, on the fifth day after our visit, I got paid the full amount. I was stunned.

I was shocked because, I was not expecting all the payment at once and also that the woman’s prediction had come to pass.

After I took the money, I went back to pay my tithe to her church and she said; “Pray for me again.” And that was when it dawned on me that God was calling me to do his work.

Interestingly, before this incident, in 1993, I had gone to the Faith Bible College. I did a course in Theology for no reason.

I had no plans to do anything with it, I just had a free time and decided to expand my knowledge. You know God has a way of preparing us for His assignment and we won’t know.

Later, I went when back to do a Diploma and finally a Bachelor of Arts in Theology. I was just doing my thing, because I wanted to get myself more conversant with the Bible. I was not thinking of being a church owner or anything of the sort. That was the foundation of my journey.

At the service on Sunday, you spoke about how you left Nigeria, how difficult was that moment when you uprooted your family and relocated to the UK

From that moment the vision began to take shape. I was praying for people regularly. It got to a point that I will pray for people and the next day they will say; “Mummy thank you for the prayer, I have come to bless you” and they will bring me a gift, I will say don’t bless me, bless God and Praise him.

In year 2000, our first son came to England. I am Cherubim and Seraphim to the core; I love it. And when he came, I arranged lots of prayers for him. When he came here, it was like he took all the good luck that the family enjoyed with him. Things just stopped; everything businesswise began to slide.

But on the spiritual front, I was seeing visions, I was praying for more people.

And when I go to the prayer mountains like Mount Olorungbebe, Mount Erinmo, Iragbiji, Ikirun and the likes, Prophets there will tell me that I am supposed to be preaching among white people and God is about to use me mightily.

By 2004, my business was in very terrible shape; my office then was on Herbert Macaulay Way, that’s where I had used for several years. Thereafter, I

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“My husband has

been highly supportive; we started this together.

When he got here, they were saying the way forward regarding his health is for him to go to a hot country.

He is in Nigeria now and a Lecturer at Faith Bible School.

”

told my husband that from the look of things, it seemed God was telling us something.

It was surprising that my business was slow because I was doing business with the very rich in the society. People like the late Ooni Of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, General Joshua Dongoyaro and General Oladipo Diya. Things became so bad that in 2004, we just packed our things and came to the United Kingdom. Our journey to London is another story altogether.

Kindly tell us about it

Before we went to London, I had a dream that I was talking to Ooni of Ife, Oba Sijuwade. He called me and asked where my son was, and I told him that he had gone to the UK and Kabiyesi wanted to know if I had gone to visit him and I said no.

And wanted to know if he could get me a passport and that was when I woke up from the dream. The following morning, one of his Oloris (queens) called me to inform me that Baba would like to see me in Ife that he wanted to make some furniture.

After I delivered the furniture, he asked me where my children were, and if they were doing well. He wanted to know if everything was okay.

I told him that everything was okay but that my first son had gone to the UK. He asked when I visited him last. I told him I had never been able to visit him.

He then called his Secretary, he used to have a White Lady as Secretary, he instructed her to get me a passport, facilitated my going to the British High Commission and obtaining a visa. He then asked if I would love to go with my husband, and I said yes, my

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husband and my other son and that was how Kabiyesi got all of us visas to the UK. And then we came to England; to God be the glory, I was able to see my son.

We came in on the 9th of April, 2004, I was there till May. My husband was sick; he brought malaria from Nigeria, and he was admitted at St. Thomas’s Hospital.

At that time my girls were in Nigeria, so I had to rush back to see them because my mind was not at rest.

Back home, people were still insisting on the vision about me preaching in the midst of white people. Then when I got to Nigeria, people were saying the way forward for me was to leave this country; a lot of people will say God wants to use you abroad, better go there now.

So, I went to see Kabiyesi again. God bless his soul. I told him that I have been to the United Kingdom; my husband and sons have stayed behind; I want visas for my two daughters. He said you must think I own the whole embassy; I said; ‘Kabiyesi, alase niyin.’ (You a very capable person) I don’t know how you are going to do this”, and then he said; “Okay, if it’s God’s will, let’s try it”, and that was How my two girls and I also moved to United Kingdom in 2004.

That was it. It was going smoothly initially; we were worshipping in somebody’s church, and the visions and predictions started coming again, and they kept saying “you are going to own a church.” …the rest, as they say, is history.

So, when did you start your own church

We were in that church till 2007. At some point I became uncomfortable there because the pastor was

doing things I didn’t like. My principle is either you are for Jesus or for the devil-call a spade, a spade, that’s my life.

When I saw how things were going, I phoned Baba Tobitolase of blessed memory of the Eternal Sacred Order of Cherubim and Seraphim; I told him that something is happening in that church and I don’t want to go there again. And Baba told me that what was happening was from God Himself.

He said that he was going to arrange some prayers for me. He instructed that I should phone him back the following day, which was a Sunday. He told me that he was going to put together a league of prophets to pray about this matter. Thereafter, he now said he has asked everyone to fast from Monday, that God was going to find me a church.

Meanwhile some other people were saying negative things that I will soon get tired and that “this country, they will take white garment from you”; It was a very tough moment for me, at a point I even found myself in one Baptist Church at Eglinton while waiting for the prayer sessions. Anyway, Baba later called to inform me that he had a message.

That God had great plans for me, that he was going to find a church for me and that when that church will be celebrating 10 years, it will seem like 100 years. I can never forget that statement. That by the time we are celebrating 10years of that church; it will look as if it’s 100 years. When I think about that message today, I marvel at the power of God. It was a touching revelation.

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“ When Crazy Faith

is mentioned I become so emotional because what most Christians are looking for is what God has given me, I have Faith!

I believe God for everything.

�

Rev. Mother Esther Abimbola Ajayi

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“ We call it ‘Fit Faith

Club.’ If you are spiritual, and notphysically alert, then you are not balanced, at one point that physical defect is going to affect your spirituality.

”

After then, I had a dream; in the dream, I saw some plastic chairs and an altar. The next morning, I went to buy chairs, I bought the exact same chairs I saw in the dream and also made an altar.

Then, my husband and children were saying who is the owner of the chairs; and I told them it was the chairs for church, and they asked, were are the church members? and I said; “it is you people” and they were all laughing. We then began fasting that Monday.

On Friday, the Head of Cherubim and Seraphim, His Eminence, Pa Solomon Adegboyega Alao - was in the United Kingdom. He didn’t come for me but that Friday, he said we are going to observe a night vigil.

And I went to the former church and told the man, this is the request from Baba.

My husband was like why do you want to go there but I insisted. I told the leader of the Church and he was saying something like he doesn’t want me in his church again, because he said everybody cannot be like me, that I was too truthful. For me, I can’t lie, that’s me. I say things as they are, So I left and we had the vigil.During the vigil I had written the name of the church by then and we prayed.

Tell us how you got the name of your church

In 1992, 93 in my first year in the Faith Bible College. There were two ladies: Sister Lydia and Sister Esther, and a guy called Akeredolu, who is now a

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Reverend. We did vigil in my home in Nigeria, and then, Sister Esther went on trance, she said God is going to found a church through me, and the name of the church is going to be “Love of Christ Generation;” I did not write it down.

I was just laughing, asking her “Me? Church?”

How is that going to happen? Before the Friday vigil I just told you about, I phoned the woman that used to ask me to pray for her in Abuja, and she said; “God said He is going to found a church through you in that country and that church is going to be all over the world. And that whatever name God has given me; God said I should add “Glory of God Shines” (Ogo Olorun Tan). When she said that, “Love of Christ” that was mentioned in my prayer room, in 1993, just rang in my head; and I wrote it down, “Love of Christ Generation Church (The Glory of God Shines).” That was the beginning of the church; 2007, September 2nd, we did our first vigil.

Alongside starting the church, my husband was seriously, sick, we became homeless, my husband went back to Nigeria; there were so many ups and downs, tribulations but I was comforted by the book of John 16: 33, He said we should be of good cheer that he had conquered the world. And here we are today.

People say white garment churches are not very modern, that you conduct your services in Yoruba. How have you been able to carry everyone along

You know I was in someone else’s church, and I have seen the shortcomings there.

During the time we were having tribulations, God helped me to utilise that time very well. When the church started and when we were evicted, I started going to conferences…one day I was watching God Channel, and I saw many American preachers, some will be talking about private Jets, they will be talking about the wonderful work of God and speaking in front of their large congregation.

I was asking myself how come these people are having all these great things, are we not calling the same Jesus? I began to say to myself, what are they doing differently, what is going on?

So, I went to one of Benny Hinn’s conferences; There, I was lucky to meet him and we had a one-on-

one interaction. I said to him; “you preach the gospel of Jesus and so many great things are happening around you.” I told him that I’ve been to Bible School and all that, and now I wanted to know his success secret And he said; “Pastor Esther, the power is in giving; if you can give, God will open His windows.”

I’m a giver; since childhood I’ve always been like this”.

Then, another day, I was watching God Channel again, Dr. Mike Murdock, of Wisdom Centre was preaching and it was as if I was the one he was talking directly to. He was just speaking about making a decision and commitment in the vineyard.

So when Murdock had a Conference at the Hilton Here in London; I wrote down the date and made arrangements to attend.

I met him. During the conference, he said any dream you have; your dream car, house or church, place the photograph all around you, the more you see it, the more God remembers it, and the more you talk to God about it. I took that away that day.

I have seen a dream cathedral, and I pasted it all over. It was that cathedral that led me to the cathedral that you saw on Sunday, the one we eventually bought and are occupying today to the glory of God. Do your thing differently; that’s the thing. When I spoke to him as well, he said the secret to great wealth is giving. I spoke with David Cerullo too; he also said the same thing, and I concluded that I had to start giving and see what giving can do. And giving can actually do a lot, and that is where I know the Bible is complete; The book of Luke 6: 38, “give and it shall be given unto you…” it said ‘give’; it didn’t say give press down and shaken together. Just ‘give’. And what will be given back to you is in good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over…So when you do your thing differently; there will be a different result.

That’s all about our church. We do not have any power but the power of God and the secret is giving.

No matter how deep your debt is, the Lord can free you from it but you have to give. When I understood the act of giving with expectation from the Lord, I started giving the little I had, the more I gave, the more increase I got. The Lord wants many people to give the

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little they have now, so as the get more. I can tell you that it works. If it works for me, it will work for you.

On your question on Yoruba Language, in the Cherubim and Seraphim Church, we speak Yoruba but we have also infused many things to how we worship at LOC. You know I brought my children from Nigeria: They are 33, 31, 27, 21 year olds and since they are all growing together, they also have a way of stimulating the young people of their age and since they know what their peers love, they have added that feel to the pattern of our worship; So I learn from them.

When you are talking to them in the style they can relate with, they love you, they want to listen to you and then they say ‘Iya Adura” is everybody’s friend because we flow together. I come to their level, and when you do it differently, I think that’s what is elevating “The Love of Christ Generation Church;”, we are doing our things differently from other Cherubim and Seraphim churches. We are Cherubim and Seraphim but we want to change the face of white garment churches.

On the day you celebrated your 10th anniversary, I noticed you said women should not wear ear-rings…how do people react to such injunctions

In the world today, you see gathering of people in a Church and you will think you are at a party. I do not tolerate such things.

Even when some people are going to the night club, their faces are not as painted as some people you find in some churches.

What some people wear to some churches these days is something else. Even in white garment churches, you see tattooed bodies and ladies dressing loosely that to me is not right.

Let me tell you, for ladies, if a guy is

born-again; he is not blind, he can still see and appreciate you without your dressing half-naked.

Each time I see myself dressed up in my room, I consider these things.

When you are coming here, you pull off your jewellery. When I’m doing circular things, I put on my things but when I am going to be in the presence of the Lord, I am different, I must give reverence to God. Gathering of Christians should be different from the gathering of jezebels.

I also saw a quote where you mixed faith with fitness, how do they go together

We call it ‘Fit Faith Club.’ If you are spiritual, and not-physically alert, then you are not balanced, at one point that physical defect is going to affect your spirituality.

If they are saying, “stand up and clap for Jesus;” and you can’t stand up. When singing the song “I feel like jumping…” and you can’t jump; at one point it’s going to affect your spiritual life. After sitting down and thinking of it…I used to be size 24, and when my husband was sick; what happened to him was that his blood was not going through his vein in the proper way, it was going into his skin; it was terrible. It was a wake up call for me too I started going to the gym, and I then found out that it actually complements my work by staying fit.

There are a lot of ignorant Christians, who think everything is Jesus. Jesus Christ is a miracle worker, and not a magician. If you eat pounded yam at 10:30, 11pm, and you do this for like 3 months, something is going to happen at some point. After

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eating carbohydrates, you go to bed; that pot belly is not going anyway, except you start doing exercises, because He is not a magician, He is a miracle worker.

When you start to do exercise, you will feel better with yourself.

I do not begin my day without engaging in one form of exercise or the day, no matter how busy my schedule is. I went swimming and I swam rigorously for about 30 minute, before I felt ready for this interview. It has become part of me. After the altar, exercise is the next thing for me, because from size 24 I eventually got to size 12; I have been on this size for about 5 years, and I’m maintaining my thing. I tell you what, it feels so good. Physically if you are okay, at

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one point you will be spiritually-balanced too.

Talking about your husband through the journey…how supportive has he been

My husband has been highly supportive, For example, when I got to the Diploma class at the Faith Bible College; when we were having our graduation, he came.

Before, he used to look at me and say,, “ This woman, is it Bible that you will be reading from morning to evening every Saturday?” when we were doing our graduation, he came, and the Holy Spirit arrested him, he didn’t know where he was for about 2, 3 hours; and he joined the Course. He had just finished

Sis Kemi Lucas, Mama, Papa Alao & Rev. Mother Esther A. Ajayi

his PhD, and lecturing at the Faith Bible College. He has been supportive; we started this together. When he got here, they were saying the way forward regarding his health is for him to go to a hot country, because when there is sunshine the ‘blood clotting’ will not happen. We were thinking of relocating to Florida but I said, that means we would go to somewhere else and start all over again. Then I asked God, and the decision was Nigeria where he was familiar with and had a support system around him. So my husband now lives in Nigeria. He has been supportive, highly supportive.

How did this idea of ‘Crazy Faith come About

Crazy faith!!! When crazy faith is mentioned I

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“In another 10 years,

as the good God lives, we would have built an Empire for Christendom. I have got great dreams… and then I am believing Him for our private jet.

”

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...AT THE SPIRIT-FILLED ANNIVERSARY SERVICE

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Mama Ogunleye, Mama Obahor, Olori Alao, Rev. Mother Esther Abimbola Ajayi, His Eminence Dr. Adegboyega Alao & Baba Obahor

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THE PROCESSION

His Eminence Dr. Solomon Alao, Head, C&S Unification Church Worldwide

Mama & Baba Obahor & guests

Mrs. Makanjuola, Sister Osigbesan & Sister Lola Adewoyin

Mummy Akinsanya & guests

LOC Members

become so emotional because what most Christians are looking for is what God has given me easily.

I have Faith! I believe God for everything, I believe Him for my private Jet; at one point we are going to do the ‘private jets crusade.’ The Lord told me this when I went for a conference…Just like our Cathedral, when I saw it, the Lord said I should be walking in front of it, that He is going to talk to me. At one point, I did the inspection, I went to the estate agent, I gave them my passport, and I told them I was coming to pay, without

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having 1,000 pounds in my account. I placed the photograph of that old cathedral everywhere, I was going everywhere with it; that’s crazy faith.

Nobody can even believe that it was that picture the people that became my benefactor saw on my wall that caused them to act. They were like; “mama what’s this?” and I told them that’s the cathedral I am trusting God for; and they said with the names of the Lord that you call? that is too small, look for something greater. Anytime I want to pray for anybody, especially when they call me on phone for prayers; it depends

Rev. Mother Esther Ajayi, LOC Members & guests

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Rev. Mother Esther Abimbola Ajayi with Bashorun Dele Momodu& LOC Members

Dr. Chief Dele Momodu & Rev. Mother Esther Ajayi

Brother Abiodun Paseda, Bashorun Dele Momodu & Iya Adura

Dr. Chief Dele Momodu with Rev. Mother Esther Ajayi & LOC Member

Snr. APO Prophetess Toks Oyewole, Bashorun Dele Momodu & Rev. Mother Esther Abimbola Ajayi (Iya Adura)

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Bro. Adedeji Ajayi & Bro. Samson (Salvation Army)

Olori Mummy Alao

Sis Gbemi, Sis Toun & Sis Funmi (LOC Members)

Iya Adura, Bashorun Dele Momodu & LOC Members

Salvation Army

LOC Choristers

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Bro. Ayo Olowokere, Sis Lola Adewoyin, Sis Osigbesan & Michael Effiong

LOC chorister & Bro. Samson of Salvation Army

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THE SERVICE

on how the Holy Spirit would lead me but three quarters of the time, I love to call different names of the Lord. “in the name of Jesus Christ, Son of God, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Shekinah Glory…healer, physician, Jehovah Jireh, Elohim etc” I mentioned the names of the Lord; then, I prayed, I didn’t know they noticed this aspect of our discussion. Thereafter, they came, and they wanted me to pray again; I think they wanted to be sure that I was not reading from a paper. It was part of me, so I just did my thing, it just flowed and they must have been very impressed.

You know I am Yoruba woman, and I’ve been using this for my children several times; if I eulogise any of my children before sending him or her on errand, they will surely go with smiles of their face, because that praise serves to ginger them. I believe eulogy can also ginger God, and make me engage the attention of the Lord; and I have seen myself in dreams calling different names of the Lord.

LOC guests

Baba Aladura Abiola & Mt. Rev. General I. Amusan

So when they came and I did it again; it was later that they confessed that as I was praying they opened their eyes, and peeped to watch was I was doing. And they said; “with the names of the Lord you are calling this one is too small; even if it is only the name of the Lord you will be showering on our heads, we are covered.” That was how we got the cathedral where you came to celebrate our 10th anniversary.

Congratulations on your Tenth anniversary. In another 10 years what should we be expecting from you and the church

In another 10 years, as the good God lives, we would have built an Empire for christendon. I have got great dreams; if He can do this, he can do greater things that is how I see Jesus. A lot of people have seen the vision, people like Baba S.K. Abiara, His Eminence Dr Solomon Adegboyega Alao, they have told me the vision; even Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo, when I went

to his church, he predicted that he sees me getting a landed property that is going to be massive; that is where I want the Lord to take me.

At that anniversary service the church was filled, people were dancing outside, inside, upstairs, everywhere; so we want an empire, where we can actually have a massive land that can take thousands. I am saying something like 100 hectares that we will develop by the time we are twenty. I am praying for the Lord to do something great for LOC and I know He can do it; he created the whole universe, there is nothing he cannot do; that’s where I want Him to take us to, and then I am believing Him for our private jet.

Private Jet

Yes, Private jet, our assignment is global. We need the best tools to do His work. We cannot settle for anything less than the very best.

From 2nd left: Pastor Patrick Campbell, Princess Deun Solarin & LOC guests

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Mother Idowu Phillips (Mama Rainbow) & guests

Royal fathers

His Eminence Dr. Solomon Alao, Baba Obahor & Elders

LOC Members & Elder guests

Bro. & Sis Oladiti

Abiodun

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Mummy Sabanna & LOC guests

LOC Members

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Bro Abiodun Paseda, Bro Dabiri & others

Bashorun Dele Momodu being decorated by LOC usherette

Okiki & Tishe (Salvation Army)

LOC Members

Sis Morolake Aladesuru

LOC Members

LOC Members

LOC Members

LOC Members

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C&S Women Elders & Iya Adura

Iya Adura & Pastor Genesis

Iya Adura, Dr. Alao & Baba Obahor

Prophet Isreal Oladele Ogundipe (Genesis)

LOC Members

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Sis Boyin Salako & LOC Members

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Mama Adigun

LOC Members

LOC Members

Julius Omotayo & Jacob Adeyemi

Sis Tinuke, Farida, Tomilola, Olamide & LOC Choristers

Ayo & Onaa Ara

Sis Toun Olowokere

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LOC Members

LOC Members

LOC guests

LOC Members

Iya Adura & Adesoji Ajayi

Gbedu Magazine & Dr. Dele Momodu ( Ovation International Magazine)

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Army of Salvation

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LOC Church Hall during the 10th Anniversay

C&S Elders

C&S Elders

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Prophet Isreal Oladele Ogundipe Genesis

Rev. Mother Esther A Ajayi & Prophet Isreal Oladele Ogundipe Genesis

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Bro. Patrick Campbell, Rev. Mother Esther Ajayi (Iya Adura) & Bro Ayo Olowokere

Iya Adura & LOC Members

x

Mr. Fadilepo

Iya Adura & Bashorun Dele Momodu

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Iya Adura, Mr. Paseda & Dr. Abbey Akinoshun

Dr. Abbey Akinoshun

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Iya Adura & Ayo Olowokere

Mr. Abiodun Enilari Paseda

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Army of Salvation

Army of Salvation

Army of Salvation

LOC Choir

Special Apostle Pastor John Adegoke

Army of Salvation

Army of Salvation

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Iya Adura, Ade Ajayi & Segun Shotikare

LOC Member

Rafu, Iya Adura, Ade & Segun

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Actress Jaiye Kuti, Iya Adura & Mrs. Idowu Phillips aka Iya Rainbow

LOC Member with Dr. Dele Momodu

Dr. Dele Momodu with Mr. & Mrs. Abiodun Paseda

Dr. Dele Momodu & a guest

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Iya Adura, Dr. Solomon Adegboyega Alao & Olori

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Olori, Iya Adura, Dr. Dr. Solomon Adegboyega Alao & Bro. Ayo Olowokere

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Rev. Esther Ajayi greeting Chief Olusegun Obasanjo

FORMER PRESIDENT, CHIEF OLUSEGUN OBASANJO PRAISES GOD AT A LOVE OF CHRIST CHURCH EVENT IN LONDON

Nigeria’s former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo with Rev. Esther Ajayi

Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Chief Olusegun Obsanjo, Rev. Mother Esther Ajayi & His Imperial Majesty, Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi

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Chief Olusegun Obasanjo delivering his speech & praising God during the church service

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Comforter Central Working Committe

Comforter Central Working Committe giving Iya Adura an award

Pastor & Supreme Head of CCC Worldwide, Rev. Emmanuel Mobiyina Friday Oshoffa

Doreen Jacobs (Oyinbo Jesu)

At The Celebrate The Comforter Convention

Celebrate The Comforter Mass Choir

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DURING THE ROYAL VISIT OF HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY OBA ADEYEYE OGUNWUSI, OONI OF IFE

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EVANGELIST EBENEZER OBEY VISITS LOVE OF CHRIST GENERATION CHURCH

Iya Adura, Evangelist Ebenezer Obey, Iya Bola Are, Pastor with Iya Rainbow

Iya Adura & Evangelist Ebenezer Obey

Ade, Pastor, Iya Adura & Mickel Ajayi

LOC Members & Iya Adura

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Iya Adura

Godfather, Iya Rainbow, Rev. Folarin Obey-Fabiyi, Iya Adura & Iya Bola Are

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MEET THE APOSTLE OF FIT FAITH CLUB, REVEREND MOTHER ESTHER AJAYI (IYA ADURA)

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CHIEF (MRS.)

SHADE OKOYA's FA BU LOU S

FORTIETH BIRTHDAY PARTY Story: Bamidele Salako & Damilola Olatunbosun Photoshoot: TY Bello Photo: Adekoya Adegbite

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here are not very many people the mention of whose names trigger a ton of interest among ardent watchers of the lifestyles of the rich and famous like Chief (Dr.) Folashade Noimat Okoya, the gorgeous and stylish wife of billionaire business tycoon, Aare (Dr.) Rasaki Akanni Okoya of the Eleganza fame.

In the two decades since her name first emerged on the society pages of Nigeria’s leading journals as the ravishing young beauty that had captured the heart and affections of one of Nigeria’s richest and most influential men, she has remained a fixture on the social circuit, taking up countless acres of gossip column, with every publication jostling to get a piece of the breathtakingly adorable newsmaker, fashion icon, businesswoman and philanthropist.

It was therefore no surprise that the recently appointed Group Managing Director of Eleganza Industrial City would once again be the talk of the town when she turned 40 and celebrated the milestone in some eye-popping fashion in Lagos, Nigeria. Famed for her penchant for the exceptional, her gig was storybook material, supported by the deep pockets of her billionaire beau who pulled all stops to stage the most sumptuous celebration of the year for his loving wife of 18-years at their sprawling Oluwanisola Estate on Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lagos.

Of course, the name Okoya rings an ethereal tone of prestige and any event that bears that name is primed by design to make a statement and this black-tie party did make such a statement-one of class and distinction.

On the morning of the stellar celebration, stunning images of the celebrant emerged on the internet and created a buzz on social media leaving many drooling in anticipation of the gripping pictures that would follow from the birthday proper which was strictly by

invitation. Everyone knew that the tantalising images that littered the web were indeed juicy teasers of what was to come later that day.

Artistic creations of celebrity photographer, T Y Bello, who over the years has become the toast of the high and mighty for pictorially documenting their lives and times, this was Bello’s commentary on social media about the iconic images she took of the celebrant: “I’ve photographed Shade Okoya for over ten years. I love this woman. She absolutely understands where I’m trying to go with the images and she actively works alongside the whole time as if she wasn’t the client-an amazing collaborator. This is one shoot where I never need a stylist. She knows what works-she just does. For her 40th portrait I looked for interesting ways to pay homage to some of the strong images I had made of her in the past. The red outfit that seemed to float over the furniture was a mimic of the portrait I made of her years ago in water with fabric floating around her. The gold outfit with the net was a remake of portraits I made at her wedding. We brought in some interesting jewellery she designed herself from the day as well - amazing. It was fun finding new ways to revisit old themes. This is what growing up is about owning ALL our experiences-the lessons we’ve learnt, our triumphs and even our failures. Growing up means wearing them as badges knowing we earned who we’ve become. Beautifully growing up means wearing them as crowns-celebrating the journey. This beautiful woman celebrates her 40th birthday today. I’m taking this opportunity to celebrate her kindness. A few months ago, I had mentioned [to her] in a conversation that a friend of mine who stayed not too far from her was ill. Shade called back to get her number, got her address and organized meals for her twice a day-

everyday. I don’t even know how long this went on-for someone she had never met. It has become clear to me that it’s our virtues that really adorn us, much more beautifully than what we put on. Thank you for being beautiful S.O-happy birthday.”

At the party, the venue smelled and looked like a million dollars - with dazzling multimillion naira ornamentation created by Abimbola Oladiran’s Subtle Elegance Events - providing an atmosphere of sensory satisfaction for the invited guests. Everyone was entranced by the sheer display of elegance. The lighting and event coordination was handled to perfection by events exponents, Finesse Events.

However, the venue’s regal charm would prove to be but a fitting backdrop to a more captivating vision – the celebrant herself! Mrs. Shade Okoya dazzled like a zillion stars in three different fetching outfits through the night which she complemented with two different shoe pairs by Ralph & Russo and Sophia Webster. Her lovely hairdo was the handiwork of Good Hair Ltd. while her stunning makeup was handled by Shomya Makeup Studio. Her first appearance at the venue came in a bespoke beaded ball gown that oozed royalty. She later slid into a heavy cluster shoulder dress and finally adorned a bespoke red jumpsuit. The troika of exquisite haute couture was the creation of top designer, Jacqui James in the United Kingdom. The exquisite jewellery with which she accessorised her outfits were of her own making. Her daughters also donned matching heavy cluster shoulder mini dresses.

With top comedian Tunde Adewale, popularly known as Tee-A coordinating affairs proficiently with the assistance of popular actress, Abiola Atanda aka Iya Kofo as comperes, Demola Olota and his band of merrymakers soothed the nerves of the guests with some dulcet tunes while DJ Lammy weighed in on

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occasion with a mix of old and contemporary rhythms. All the while the guests freely explored an exotic range of drinks and cocktails served chilled by Bonix, the appetizing finger foods served by the trio of Yemi Legend, Laredo Chops and Saheeto Small Chops, and the fingerlicking desserts brought in by Eventi Cocktails. Everyone also had their fill of a mouth-watering array of cuisines prepared by the duo of Xquisite Catering and Malas Catering.

The celebrant’s towering birthday cake with its buffers emblazoned with pictures of the celebrant was quite a sight to behold.

The artistic wonder was delivered by Bakehouse Bakery and was undoubtedly one befitting of such a grand occasion.

Justice George Oguntade (Rtd) supervised the cutting while the belle of the ball and her husband, surrounded by a handful of dignitaries, dug into the cake.

A first-rate party is never so without the colourful presence of the crème de la crème and this party did not want for big names.

Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Senator Florence ItaGiwa, Hajia Abah Folawiyo, Mrs Sarah Sosan, Chief Mrs Nike Akande, Mrs Kemi Nelson, Prince Bisi Olatilo, Justice George Oguntade (Rtd) and wife, Prince Samuel Adedoyin, Stella Okoli of Emzor 50

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Pharmaceuticals, the Osile of Oke-Ona Egba, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso; ex-Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel; Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chief (Mrs.) Nkiru Anumudu, Ruth Osime, Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa; Bashorun Dele Momodu, German Consul-Ingo Herbert, Omowunmi Akinnifesi, Enemaya Lawani, Chief Mike Inegbese and wife, Mary,; the CEO of Polo Avenue, Jennifer Obayuwana; veteran broadcaster, Soni Irabor and his wife Betty, Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi and many more added colour and glamour to the elegant bash.

YBNL label boss, Olamide Baddo also made an outstanding cameo thrilling the celebrant and her guests

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endlessly.

Chief (Dr.) Folashade Noimat Okoya (nee Adeleye) was born in Lagos on the 25th of April 1977 into the family of the late Alhaji Taju and Alhaja Nimosat Adeleye. She is a devout Muslim from Ijebu-Ode in Ogun State.

She has all of her early education in Lagos where she grew up. She studied at the Lagos state Polytechnic, Isolo where she obtained a National Diploma in Banking and Finance. She later studied Sociology at the University of Lagos.

She is the Bewaji of Lagos, Otun Aare Iyalaje of Ajiranland, and the Yeye Oge of Epeland and recently the Ajisewa of Oke-Ona, Egba. She was conferred with a Doctor of Science (Honorary Causa) in Business

Management and Corporate Leadership by the Senate of European American University on 23rd August, 2014 and Most Valuable Business Executive of the year 2014 conferred on her on 11th December 2014 by the Board of Trustees and Advisory Council of International Centre for Corporative Leadership for Africans and Blacks in Diaspora and Accolades International Magazine Limited.

She is currently the Group Managing Director of Eleganza Industrial City, a manufacturing haven sitting on over 30 hectares of land and producing various sizes and designs of plastic chairs, luggage boxes, coolers, baby diapers, ladies’ sanitary products, hair threads, stainless water tank, shoes etc. The company has over 1000 workers thus, providing employment to the residents of Lagos state and its environs.

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T H E F O R T I E T H B I R T H DAY D I N N E R

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Celebrant's mother, Alhaja Nimota Adeleye & & Chief (Mrs.) Moji Dokpesi

Former Deputy Governor, Alhaja Sinat Ojikutu

Celebrant with dear husband, Chief Rasaq Okoya

John & Sola Momoh

Celebrant with Olori Sekinat Elegushi

Hon. Funmilayo Tejuoso & Olanrewaju Babalola

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Alhaji Aliko Dangote & Alhaji Tajudeen Okoya

Erelu Abiola Dosunmu & Omowunmi Akinifesi

Chief Mike Inegbese & wife, Mary

Chief (Mrs) Stella Okoli, celebrant & Chief (Mrs.) Nike Akande

Chief Ajibola Ogunsola & Wife with celebrant

Chief (Mrs) Shade Okoya & Mrs. Wosilat Okoya-Seriki

Biola Okoya

Chief (Mrs.) Nkiru Anumudu & Ms Ruth Osime

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Kenny St. Best & Tee A, master of ceremonies

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Chief Dele Momodu & Mrs. Moji Tejuoso

Senator Lanre Tejuoso, Moji Tejuoso, HRH Oba Adedapo Tejuoso & Celebrant

Janet Adetu, Shade Okoya & Seni Adetu

Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, celebrant & Erelu Angela Adebayo

Celebrant with Prince & Mrs. Awogboro

Princess Serah Sosan, Celebrant & Alhaja Salimot Badru

The Okoyas with Dr. Muiz Banire, SAN

Lady Aisieru, Celebrant, Erelu Abiola Dosunmu & Chief (Mrs.) Iyabo Martins-Kuye

Senator Lanre Tejuoso, Bashorun Dele Momodu & Mr. Segun Adesanya

Mrs. Abiola Atanda (Madam Kofo) & celebrant

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(Middle) Alh. Kuburat Okoya, Alh. Muri Okunola & Celebrant

Alhaja Kuburat Okoya with celebrant, Chief (Mrs) Shade Okoya

Celebrant with Alhaji Tajudeen Okoya & friends

Mrs. Nike Makinde, Amb. Musiliu Obanikoro, Hon. Jumoke Okoya-Thomas & guest

R-l: Chief (Mrs.) Atinuke Abioro, Chief (Mrs.) Bisi Abiola & Alhaja Odunsi

Seyi Jakande & Micheal Effiong

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Celebrant & Barr. Folashade Balogun

Chief (Mrs.) Moji Dokpesi, Soni & Betty Irabor

Celebrant with Mrs. Aina

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R-l: Deji Okoya Thomas & wife, Tosin Alabo-Bakare, Celebrant with Yinka Taiwo & husband

Princess Moji Tejuoso, Olori Yetunde Tejuoso, Olori Labisi Tejuoso, Mrs. Dupe Oguntade & Olori Omolara Tejuoso

Mrs. Joke Okeowo (left)

Alh. Sinatu Ojikutu, Seyi Jakande, Alhaja Sikirat Jakande & Princess Serah Sosan

Stephene & Mariane Gladwin

Tokunbo Okoya (middle) with guests

Barr. Folashade Balogun (left)

From second left: Ekua Abudu & Nkiru Anumudu

Azuh Arinze with Otunba Gbenga Daniel & wife Yeye Olufunke Daniel

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Folusho & Jimmy Aina

Mr. Lanre Ogunleyi of Sofisticat

Omowunmi Akinifesi & Hajia Abba Folawiyo

Mrs. Sophia Okoya

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Mrs. Kemi Nelson

Alhaja Tai Elemesho-Okesanjo (Montai)

Alh. Salmot Badru & Erelu Abiola Dosunmu

Senator Florence Ita-Giwa

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Azuh Arinze, Micheal Effiong, Bashorun Dele Momodu, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Mr. Seye Kehinde & Mr. Soni Irabor

General Ike Nwachuckwu(Rtd) & wife

Oyinlola, Wahaab, Subomi & Olamide with mum

Lady Aisieru & Erelu Abiola Dosunmu

Mr. & Mrs. John Momoh, Chief Rasaq Okoya, Chief Samuel Adedoyin & Justice Adesola Oguntade

(Middle) Celebrant with Chief & Chief (Mrs.) Mike Inegbese

Celebrant & Chief Gbenga Obasa

Mrs. Wosilat Seriki, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro & guest

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Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa , Mr. John Momoh, Alh. Aliko Dangote, Chief Rasaq Okoya, Celebrant, Prince Samuel Adedoyin & Justice Adesola Oguntade (Rtd.)

Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, Mr. John Momoh, Alh. Aliko Dangote, Chief Rasaq Okoya, Celebrant, Prince Samuel Adedoyin & Justice Adesola Oguntade (Rtd.)

Celebrant, Chief Rasaq Okoya, Otunba Adekunle Ojora & Prince Samuel Adedoyin

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Chief Rasaq Okoya,Chief (Mrs) Kofoworola Adebutu, Toyin Adedoyin, Celebrant & Olori Oluwakemi Adetona

Celebrant with friends from the Diplomatic Corps

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Oyinlola, Subomi, Chief Rasaq Okoya, Celebrant, Wahab & Olamide Okoya

Biola Okoya, Celebrant, Olori Wuraola Ogunwusi & Mrs. Oyemade

Alhaji & Alhaja Tajudeen Okoya, Celebrant with Alhaja Wosilat Seriki

Senator Lanre Tejuoso, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, HRM. Oba Adedapo Tejuoso Celebrant, Mr. John Momoh, Sir Kessington Adebutu, Alh. Aliko Dangote, Chief Rasaq Okoya, Prince Samuel Adedoyin & The Otunba Adekunle Ojora

Chief Rasaq Okoya, Celebrant, Mrs. Dupe Oguntade, Olamide, Wahab & Subomi

Mrs. Joke Okeowo, Celebrant, Chief Rasaq Okoya, Mrs. Dupe Oguntade, Justice Adesola Oguntade (Rtd) & Sir Olu Okeowo

Chief Rasaq Okoya with In-laws

Chief (Mrs.) Sade Balogun, Alh. Sikirat Jakande, Celebrant, Alh. Sinatu Ojikutu & Alh. Salmot Badru

Mrs. Yetunde Onile-Ere, Olori Oba Of Lagos, Celebrant, Alh. Sinatu Ojikutu & Senator Florence Ita-Giwa

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THE ROYAL WEDDING OF

PRINCE ADEREMI

SIJUWADE AND OLABISI FOLAWIYO IN LAGOS Story: Story: Eric Elezuo Photo: Koya Adegbite, Abraham Falodun & Funmilayo Adeyemi

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THE ENGAGEMENT

Moji Folawiyo, Amina Akinpelu Joseph, Bride & Omowale Jacob

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Chief Bayo Harold-Sodipo, Olori Ladun Sijuwade with Egba Chief

Otunba Subomi Balogun & wife

Kemi Aderemi, Olori Ladun Sijuwade, Rev.Tola Oyediran, Mrs. Maiden lbru, Ms. Enitan Akerele & Chief (Mrs.) Olufemi

Rev. Tola Oyediran & Mrs. Kemi Aderemi

Olori Moji Sijuwade, Prince Tokunbo Sijuwade, Prince Doyin Sijuwade, Olori Keji Sijuwade & Folake St. Matthew-Daniel

Prince Tokunbo Sijuwade with Iyalode’s of Ife

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Mrs. Olusola Folawiyo with friends

Prince Doyin Sijuwade, Oba Otudeko, Major Al Mustapha & Folake St. MatthewDaniel

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cintillating! That is how the traditional and white weddings that united two powerful Yoruba families-the Sijuwade and Folawiyo families, would have been described, but it was more than that. It was something in the neighbourhood of utopia and of course, Eldorado.

The ceremonies which took place over two weekends, required painstaking preparations and were in every sense a celebration of love at its best between Prince Aderemilekun Sijuwade, the bearded handsome son of the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade and Princess Olabisi Abike Folawiyo, the delectable daughter of late successful businessman and former Baba Adinni of Nigeria, Chief Iyanda Folawiyo.

Consequently, sequel to the biblical injunction that he that finds a wife has found a good thing and obtains favour from the Lord, the couple, with magnificent support from their families, friends and wellwishers, set out to formalize and solemnize their relationship at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, where the first of the events-the traditional ceremony -took place.

At various centres, events kicked off on the beautiful day in preparation for the high society union. At the prestigious Eko Hotel and Suites where the groom and his men were lodged, an exclusive OVATION photoshoot held to capture the finer moments of the groom’s last hours as a bachelor. There was a beehive of activities at the home of the bride as well, who with a retinue of friends, effortlessly slid into her royal traditional apparel.

A highlight of that morning was Prince Aderemi demonstrating what a helpless romantic he is by surprising his beautiful bride in the early hours of

that morning with a brand new white Mercedes Benz car gift which he had delivered to her hotel. Labisi, who owns the popular makeup studio, Facesbylabisi, was as ecstatic as she was astonished by this breath-taking romantic gesture from her Prince Charming-her mouth agape as she saw the wonder-on-wheels for the first time and sat in the driver's seat for selfies.

This is not forgetting the gathering of the groom’s family at the lobby of the Federal Palace Hotel, where special guests made a royal stopover with pleasantries, clicking of cameras for selfies and the expression of goodwill before proceeding to the banquet hall.

The event itself was everything but low key right from the lobby of the hotel where the Arike Ade Cultural Group from Ile Ife, which came to honour a Prince of their town, kept the atmosphere lively with rhythmic beats of their drums renting the air, complemented by scintillating dance rhythms by a group of three professional female dancers; Temitope Onitiju, Aminat Eluguaju and Yetunde Olaleye.

The drumming and the dancing heralded the arrival of the esteemed guests, ferried into the hotel premises and available parking spaces in their state-of-the-art automobiles. Among such dignitaries were the founder of First City Monument Bank, Otunba Subomi Balogun, former Editor of the defunct Concord Newspaper, Chief Doyin Abiola, amongst others.

It was not long before the call for the business of the day was made, and like a royal carnival, the special guests marched majestically to the magnificently decorated Balmoral Convention Centre, accompanied by deafening sounds of traditional music popping off the well-crafted drums and

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Prince Tokunbo Sijuwade with Imperial Majesty Oba Enitan Ogunwusi Ooni of Ife with Olori Wuraola Ogunwusi

The Otunba Adekunle Ojora & wife Erelu Ojuolape

Hajia Bola Shagaya & Chief (Mrs.) Bisi Abiola

Amb. Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu, Rev. (Mrs.) Tola Oyediran & H.E. Olufunso Amosun

Hajia Abba Folawiyo & Dr. Doyin Abiola

Mrs. Dupe Oguntade, Chief Rasaq Okoya, Justice Olusola Oguntade (Rtd.) & Chief (Mrs.) Shade Okoya

Pastor & Pastor (Mrs.) Wale Adefarasin

(L) Alhaja Bintu Tinubu

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Mrs. Oyinlola (R)

Mrs. Olusola Folawiyo & Alh. Tunde Folawiyo

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Prince Tokunbo Sijuwade & Alh. Tunde Folawiyo

Olori Ladun Sijuwade, Prince Tokunbo Sijuwade, Olori Odun Sijuwade & Nike Makinde

Olori Ladun Sijuwade, Prince Tokunbo Sijuwade, Olori Odun Sijuwade with other members of the groom's family

(L) Chief & Chief Mrs. Odeyemi

Mrs. Toyosi Johnson, Mrs. Olusola Folawiyo & Alh. Tunde Folawiyo

Imam

Mrs. Toyosi Johnson, Mrs. Olusola Folawiyo & Alh. Tunde Folawiyo

Mrs. Olusola Folawiyo & Olori Ladun Sijuwade

Alh. Daramijo & Oba Lateef Adams

Chief Mrs. Olufemi, Erelu Abiola Dosunmu & Olufon Ifon

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Mr. Femi Otedola, Alh. Tunde Folawiyo, Alh. Aliko Dangote & Bashorun Dele Momodu

Tunde Oshinowo & Jimi Aina

Bashorun Dele Momodu & Alh. Aliko Dangote

Mr. & Mrs. Bolaji Johnson & Sen. Gbenga Ashafa

L-r: Tokunbo Oladehinde & Wole Aboderin

Hon. Bimbo Ashiru, Femi Adenuga, Alh. Tunde Folawiyo, Mrs. Ronke Sokefun & Sen. Lanre Tejuoso

Mrs. Reni Folawiyo, Mr. & Mrs. Foluso Coker & Alh. Tunde Folawiyo

Prof. Wale Omole, Justice Olusola Oguntade & Olumide Sofowora (SAN)

gongs among many other instruments of various traditional groups that filled the arena. It was a combination of colours ranging from blue to white The presence of Kunle Komolafe's Ksquared Security Services ensured that only invited guests gained entrance into the venue.

The arrival of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, caused a positive stir, completely revving up the pace of the atmosphere. His presence intensified the drumming and singing as the reverred monarch waited for the right time to alight from his sparklingwhite Rolls Royce Phantom which had come to a halt at the entrance. Once out, he made his way through a path lined up

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by dancers, drummers and palace guards.

Inside the Balmoral was a distinct fountain which reflected purified colours and more exquisite sight of green and white with each table decorated like the traditional cap of the Ooni resting on a stool. The bride and groom’s corner was another splash of green and white with a sporadic show of lights.

With the Ooni and his entourage seated, the event proper commenced as the compere, Abimbola Akinwunmi, started with ushering in the parents of the couple, who danced in in glory with music befitting of the Yoruba tradition.

This was followed by the entrance

(R) Mr. Timi Alaibe

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Mrs. Sade Sijuwade, Oba Oludeko & Folake St. Mattew-Daniel

Prince Doyin Sijuwade, Mrs. Joke Akin George, Oba Otudeko, Folake St. MattewDaniel & Maj. Al Mustapha

(R) Hon. Titi Oseni

Architect Fifi Ejindu

of the groom’s family who entered in a blaze of glory, momentarily turning the environment to blue, and then the traditional rites began with communication carried on in both Yoruba and English languages.

The compere welcomed guests and thanked everyone for coming before proceeding to order a minute silence in honour of the couple’s deceased fathers - Alhaji Iyanda Folawiyo and Oba Okunade Sijuwade. The honours were performed according to both Islamic and Christian injunctions. With attendant eulogies rendered to the memories of the great men, the mothers of the couple were obliged five minutes to exhibit their dance steps, and boy did they impress! At that point, it was proved that the ‘old woman is never too old for the dance she knows very well’.

The ceremony moved ahead to the presentation of

the proposal letter by the groom’s family, which the Ooni blessed before it was handed over to the parents of the bride. The letter was then read by the bride’s younger sister, Aisha Folawiyo, who afterwards was treated to a dance.

The bride’s family followed up with their own acceptance letter, which paved the way for the triumphant entry of the man of the moment, the hunklike handsome son of the 50th Ooni of Ife, in the person of Prince Aderemi Sijuwade. His entrance came with pomp and circumstance accompanied by his friends.

At the stage, the compere mandated the removal of caps by the groom and his companions, and at the count of two, all of them were face down on the floor, prostrating in total obeisance to the parents of the bride and respect for the undying Yoruba culture.

With classic music interlude provided by two live bands-Excellent Band and Queen Ayo Balogun and the Heritage Voices Band, as well as cultural groups, the stage was set for the beautiful prize that Prince Aderemi had been longing for Olabisi Abike Folawiyo.

Then, she enetered, clad in shiny baby pink coloured lace attire with a velvety veil over her face, which traditionally symbolises her purity and innocence before her husband to be. She was surrounded by a bevy of gorgeous ladies, dressed in matching colours and attires. At the centre, with emotion running high, she wrapped herself round her mother, and both shed tears of joy and love, as an eventual departure from home for a new life of marriage beckoned.

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Arrival of the bride

Mrs. Olusola Folawiyo, Bride & Alh. Tunde Folawiyo

Olori Ladun Sijuwade, Bride & Prince Tokunbo Sijuwade

Chief Bisi Omidiora, Bride & H. E Mrs. Foluso Amosun

Bride with Family

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Hajia Abba Folawiyo, Bride & Mrs. Toyosi Johnson

Groom showering bride with prayers

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Princess Vicky Hastrup, Hajia Bola Shagaya & Chief Mrs. Bisi Abiola

R-l: Hajia Bisi Shauibu,Aliko Dangote, Femi Otedola, Dele Momodu, & Hajia Bola Shagaya

Aremu Olusegun Osoba & wife

Dr. Olorogun Sunny Kuku, Bashorun J.K Randle & Chief Bukola Okunowo

Gbenga Obadina, Oba Saheed Elegushi, Fatai Awoseni, Hon. Funmilayo Tejuoso, Hakeem Muri-Okunola & Prince Akinsiku

Prince Damola Aderemi, Prince Seyi Sijuwade & Mr. Segun Awolowo

Prince Rasaq Adewole, Mike Igbinedion & Folake St Matthew-Daniel

Tayo & Tutu Ayeni with Lanre Ogunlesi

Ogunwusi Princesses

Olori Labisi Tejuoso, Olori Yetunde Tejuoso & Olori Omolara Tejuoso

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THE SOLEMNIZATION

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Chief (Mrs) Yetunde Animashaun, groom's mother, Olori Ladun Sijuwade & elder brother, Prince Tokunbo Sijuwade

Alh. Tunde Folawiyo & Prince Tokunbo Sijuwade

Mrs. Bola Obasanjo , The Otunba Adekunle Ojora & Erelu Ojuolape

Prince Rasaq Adewole, Mr Ola, Prince Doyin Sijuwade & Alhaji Tunde Folawiyo

Prince Tokunbo Sijuwade & Dapo Harold Sodipo

Tayo Fayemi & Biyi Harold Sodipo (L)

Ebitimi Alaigbe, Bisola Ogunbiyi & Ijioma Balogun

Bolaji Musa & Kunle Abibu

The Ovation Team: Daala Oruwari, Enitan Okesanya & Michael Effiong

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Mr Lanre Olusola administering the vow

Both parents with Mr. Lanre Olusola & Dara Fayose

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Couple with groom’s men

Couple with bridal train

Mrs. Yetunde Animashaun & Couple The Sijuwade family with couple

R-l: Olori Risi Adams, Couple, Yinka Idowu & Justice Dotun Adetope Okogie

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Aunts of the groom with couple

The ceremony was a brief one before the compere declared the couple man and wife to a deafening applause from the crowd, who at this time were munching away at sumptuous delicacies from Malas Foods, Mandies Cocktail, Senabi Chapman among many other refreshment providers present. The couple thereafter proceeded to cut the gigantic cake, also carved like the Ooni’s traditional cap.

The presence of Usherettes provided by Fern Events, complemented the aesthetic pleasantness of the atmosphere.

Dressed in the traditional Yoruba maiden attire of short single piece wrappers and large blouses, the beautiful girls rendered their duties with professionalism, making sure everyone was treated with respect.

Thereafter, the couple marched out while the baton of compering was transferred to one of Nigeria’s prolific comedians and anchor of the Teju Babyface Show, Teju Oyelakin.

Moments later, the couple returned for their dance as Teju Babyface proposed a toast to the health, prosperity and peaceful co-existence of the latest couple in town.

The well-attended event had numerous VIP guests such as: Prince Nasir Ado Bayero, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso and his wives, The Otunba Adekunle Ojora and wife, The Erelu Ojuolape Ojora, Prince Akin Olugbade, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Mr. Jide Coker, Mrs Bola Obasanjo, Princess Debo Odutola, Ovation Publisher, Bashorun Dele Momodu, Chief Rasaq Okoya and wife, Folashade and Hajia Abah Folawiyo, Justice Shola Oguntade (rtd) & wife, Modupe.

If anyone had thought the traditional marriage ceremony was unbeatable in class and grandeur, then they jumped the gun and failed to anticipate the eye popping, out-of-thisworld celebration the families staged to

celebrate the union of their children during the storybook white wedding that unfolded the following weekend. It had a touch of glamour, grandeur and razzmatazz.

It was a day filled with good music, dance, fun and total excitement as the couple completed the final lap of the formalisation of their love story of nine years at the prestigious Civic Centre, along Ozumba Mbadiwe Way, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The bride was dressed in a gorgeous mermaid gown made by Nigerian award-winning designer, Deola Sagoe while the groom looked dapper in a suit by House of Desina, also a Nigerian designer.

Many notable faces such as Justice Olusola Oguntade (Rtd.); the 51st Ooni of Ife, Prince Nasir Ado Bayero, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; Mrs. Bola Obasanjo, Publisher of OVATION International Magazine, Bashorun Dele Momodu, Prince Bolu Akin Olugbade among many other friends and family members came to fete the newlyweds.

It was an exclusive and cosy ceremony.

The magnificent hall and the beauty that enveloped the venue were all the brainwork of the groom’s sister, Princess Adenrele Sijuwade Fayose, who is the Managing Director of RubyFay Events.

The highlight of the ceremony was the great ballet-like dance undertaken by the new couple. It was complemented by Tunde and Reni Folawiyo, who coincidentally, were celebrating their 28th wedding anniversary as they were summoned to the dance floor to dance alongside the new couple.

As the reception continued with assorted beverages and exotic dishes served, the formality of the reception gave way to an after party mood as the guests rocked to music by Guinness World Record holder for the longest Dj set, DJ Obi.

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THE COCKTAILS

Mr. & Mrs. Lanre Folawiyo & Amina Akinpelu Joseph

Hajia Abah Folawiyo, Mrs. Olusola Folawiyo, Mrs. Yetunde Onile-ere, Mrs. Yinka Idowu & Alhaji Risika Adams

Bolaji Folawiyo, Bayo, Bride & Tunde Ogunbiyi

Prince & Mrs. Seyi Sijuwade & Prince Tokunbo Sijuwade

Ayo Aina, Jimi Aina, Justice Sola Oguntade (Rtd), Couple, Mrs. Modupe Oguntade & Foluso Aina

Mr. & Mrs. Seyi Odeyinde

Mrs. Lisa Folawiyo, Bride & Bisola Folawiyo

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THE RECEPTION

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Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, Prince Nasir Ado Bayero & Des Braithwaite

Alhaji Tunde Folawiyo, Olori Ladun Sijuwade & Prince Tokunbo Sijuwade

Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi, Bashorun Dele Momodu, Justice Shola Oguntade (Rtd) & wife, Modupe

Hajia Abba Folawiyo & her only son, Mr. Segun Awolowo Jnr.

Damola Aderemi, Dele Momodu, Segun Awolowo & Dewunmi Ogunsanya

Lanre Folawiyo & friends

Segun Awolowo with Mr. & Mrs. Ian Randolph

Mrs. Penawou & Princess Debo Odutola

Dr. Bayo & Dr. Dere Awosika

Michael Effiong & Mr. Jide Coker

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Mr. Ayo Otuyalo, Mr. & Mrs. Femi Adetope

Prince & Mrs. Rasaq Adewole

Princess Denrele Fayose & Deji Fayose with Dara & Dade

Tunde Ogunbiyi,Tunde Folawiyo & Idris Olorunimbe

Alhaji Tunde Folawiyo & Reni Folawiyo

Motunde Folawiyo with couple

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Prince Damola Aderemi , Couple , Prince Doyin Sijuwade , Bashorun Dele Momodu & Prince Tokunbo Sijuwade

Mrs. Tayo Adelemo

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Issue 175 B4_Layout 1 27-Oct-17 9:38 PM Page 1

AFTER PARTY

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ENGR. BIODUN

OBISAKIN CLOCKS 60 IN STYLE Story: Eniola Jolaoso Photo: Adekoya Adegbite

Church Members

Engr. & Mrs Biodun Obisakin

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legantly garbed in exotic, made-to-measure apparels, complemented with head gears and caps of matching colours, friends, family and wellwishers assembled at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, My Father’s House-Victory Chapel, Magodo, for a glorious thanksgiving service convened to celebrate the goodness of God in the life of Engr.

Abiodun Obisakin, who recently clocked 60.

The congregation was enveloped by a great spirit of thanksgiving that could be instantly felt by everyone who stepped into the church that day. The celebrant and his relatives were especially excited, wearing gleaming smiles and nodding heads in different directions to the wonderful praise and worship songs performed by the church’s Heavenly Voices Choir. The celebratory mood was reflective of the unaffected gratitude in the hearts of all present for the life and successes of the “birthday boy.”

Pastor Bayo Olugbemi, Provincial Pastor, Lagos

Engr. Biodun Obisakin cutting his cake with Church members

Tayo, Engr. Biodun Obisakin & wife

Province 21 of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, who officiated, acknowledged the celebrant’s devotion to the things of God saying his was a life worthy of emulation. He prayed for grace upon the celebrant and encouraged him not to relent in his commitment. He charged the celebrant’s children, Mobolaji, Temitayo and Adedotun, to take a cue from their dad and ensure that they uphold values he has instilled in them. The cleric thanked God for the celebrant’s adorable wife, Mrs Folakemi Obisakin, for being a supportive companion who has helped to bring the best out of her husband. He declared that the blessings of God would overflow over the Obisakins.

Prayers, bible readings and other activities in the lineup followed in quick succession and when the much-awaited time for the thanksgiving proper arrived, the venue became intense with roof-raising praise, spirited singing, boisterous dancing and intermittent choruses of hallelujah. The man of the day, Mr.

Obisakin was himself obviously in seventh heaven, swaying from left to right in deference to the rhythm of the music, thankful for being alive, hale and hearty to commemorate his landmark jubilee. The average life expectancy for Nigerian men being 53.4years, no one could blame the sexagenarian for being so elated and unabashed.

That aspect of the service done, the celebration switched to the residence of the celebrant also within the Magodo area, which had been tastefully decorated for the august occasion and where a very competent Disc Jockey was already on hand to delight the merrymaking band of guests. Of course, there was entertainment aplenty with budding comedians thrilling the guests and lip-smacking delicacies flowing ceaselessly from the caterer’s pavilion. Everyone had a good time and the occasion panned out to be a truly unforgettable experience for the celebrant.

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Cross section of Ministers

Engr. Biodun Obisakin being showered with prayers

Ademola Ogunkoya, Mrs. Nike Obisakin, Celebrant & wife & Tunde Adewusi

Pst. (Mrs. ) Taiwo, Celebrant & wife with Pst. Kunle Taiwo

Mr. & Mrs. Ogundeko with Engr. & Mrs. Obisakin

Mrs. Osadiya, Mrs. Obisakin & Mrs. Olayinka

Mr.& Mrs. Osuntogun with Engr. & Mrs. Obisakin

Mrs. Osho & Mrs. Ade-Ojo

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Folake Lawal, Ayo Folami & Mrs. Balogun

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Tayo & Bolaji with mum

Engr. Biodun Obisakin

Tayo, Engr. Biodun Obisakin & wife

(L-R) Mr. & Mrs. Egunjobi with Celebrant & wife

Mr. & Mrs. Doyin Ogungbe with Celebrant & wife

Celebrant with family & friends

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COURTEVILLE SOLUTIONS PLC. BOSS,

DR. ADEBOLA

AKINDELE IS LAGOS MAN OF THE YEAR 2017 Story & Interview: Bamidele Salako Photo: Adekoya Adegbite

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t was a day of resounding recognition for years of entrepreneurial excellence and innovative enterprise when Dr. Adebola Akindele, the Group Managing Director of Courteville Business Solutions Plc., a leading ebusiness solutions and advisory company headquartered in Nigeria, was conferred with the award of Lagos State Man of the Year 2017 by the Centre for Policy Development and Political Studies (CEPODEPS). The conferment ceremony held at Eko FM Multipurpose Hall on Lateef Jakande Road, Agidingbi, Lagos.

The venue of the award ceremony was filled to the brim as colleagues, friends and family members of the debonair gentleman turned out in their numbers to register their support in no uncertain terms. Chief Organizer of the award, Dr. Aderemi Ifaolepin Aderemi, stated that the Lagos State Man of the Year Award (LASMAYA) is an accolade given to individuals who are symbols of achievement in Lagos State’s public and private sectors, particularly those who have attained a standard of merit in the eyes of their peers having performed exceptionally in their industries.

“This is a celebration of true, well-refined personalities of immeasurable worth of whom Dr. Adebola Akindele is one. Our assessment is based less on traditional titles and roles and more on creative influence and entrepreneurship.”

“What is popular in our society is to celebrate the celebrated, to praise the praised, and to identify with success; but we are shifting away from the norm. We have decided to look for a way to reward character – the unsung heroes. This award was created in essence to pay tribute to excellence,” Dr. Aderemi averred.

Affirming that the recipient of the award which is in its seventh edition, is picked through a rigorous and thorough selection process, the convener revealed that awardee was nominated alongside nine other notable Nigerians by a 9man selection committee that comprised mainly of academics, writers, researchers, and media professionals.

He also revealed the judging criteria for the nominations to include exemplary leadership qualities, consistent high moral standard and integrity, outstanding personal achievements, outstanding selfless service to Lagos State and humanity as well as the opinion polls of the public, while expressing gratitude for the overwhelming response by the public during the voting conducted via short message service from Monday, 14th of August, through Sunday, 20th of August 20, 2017.

The shortlist of nominees included Lagos State Commissioner for Local Government & Community Affairs, Hon. Muslim Olohuntele Falemi who finished with 810 votes; the Aholu Henwa of Kweme Kingdom (730 votes); Chairman of the Lagos State Local Government Service Commission, Alh. Babatunde Tajudeen Rotinwa (1, 313 votes); Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Waterfront and Infrastructure Development, Engr. Adeyemi Saliu Abidemi (805 votes) and Lagos State University (LASU) Vice Chancellor, Prof.

Olanrewaju Fagbohun (2, 934 votes).

Others were Access Bank Group Managing Director/CEO, Dr. Hebert Wigwe (511 votes); the Olori Oluwo of the Reformed Ogboni Fraternity, Olori Francis Meshioye (2, 084 votes); MD/CEO of Nordica Fertility Centre, Dr. Abayomi Ajayi (2, 038 votes); and the President/CEO of SAF Petroleum Limited, Aare (Dr.) Safiriyu Adebanjo Kazeem (1, 632 votes).

Dr. Akindele emerged winner of the award with 3, 324 valid votes cast.

In his acceptance remarks, he thanked his team at Courteville for their sterling contributions to the growth of the company saying, “We do not have the deepest pockets by any means. We do not have the brightest visibility. We do not have the most number of people but we have ourselves. All we did was just to require that we all put in our best and to see what comes of it.”

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The truth about it is that there are some economies around us here whose names I will not mention that have unwritten policies of not letting Nigerian businesses come near, let alone thrive.

Nigerians entrepreneurs suffer simply for being Nigerians out there.

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The truth about it is that, there hasn't been any grand plan towards where we are now as a company and where I am as an individual.

And I will never take glory for it or say it is simply as a result of my hardwork. It has been God Dr. Akindele, who also had special words of gratitude for a couple of his friends with whom he shares fond memories, including Nigeria’s former Minister of State for Finance, Hon. Remi Babalola, quipped, “It was because of them that I moved out of the public sector at the Central Bank into the private sector. In 1989-90, we were struggling ICAN students. We didn’t have cars or homes of our own but we had ourselves and the belief in the things one could get to do. I am sure our wives married us because of the potential they saw in us at that time.”

He also thanked his wife, Mrs. Olabisi Akindele for her unflinching support through the years.

Representing the Professional Excellence Foundation of Nigeria (PEFON), veteran broadcaster, Mr. Seyi Martins, hinted that the awardee, who is a member of the foundation’s council would be further celebrated for his latest honour by his colleagues at the foundation on Thursday, October 19th, 2017.

At the ceremony were Courteville Business Solutions Deputy Managing Director, Alh. Wale Osinaike; the Elejinrin of Ejinrin Kingdom, Oba Rafiu Ishola Balogun and his wife, Olori Mojisola Balogun; the Balogun of Ejirin, Chief Muyiwa Akintola; the Olomijo of Omijo, Oba Kazim Olanipekun Gbadamosi and his wife, Olori Taiwo Olabisi Gbadamosi; Ex-Finance Minister, Hon. Remi Babalola; Lagos State House of Assembly member, Hon. Olusegun Olulade; former Secretary to lkorodu Local Government Area, Lagos State, Comrade Japheth Odesanya, as well as board and staff members of Courteville Business Solutions Plc. Dr. Adebola Akindele started his professional career as an audit intern at KPMG Peat Marwick Ani Ogunde and Co. in 1987 having obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in 1985. In 1989, he joined the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) where he rose to become Treasurer/Financial Controller of the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme (ACGS). While at the CBN, he also served as a Bank Examiner on various occasions.

He would later obtain a Master’s Degree in Banking and Finance from the University of Lagos in 1993 and in the same year, having gained substantial regulatory experience, he ventured into the private sector with Oceanic Bank. During a successful seven year stint at the bank, he held various senior management positions including Head of Operations, Chief Inspector and Head of Credit Administration and Loan Recovery and Head of the bank’s Commercial Banking Division.

In the year 2000, he joined Fountain Trust Bank Plc. as the Group Head of Lagos Island Business Group. His outstanding accomplishments earned him promotion to Group Head of Commercial Banking, and later, Divisional Head of Markets.

By 2004, after almost 20 years of successfully handling increasing responsibilities in different organisations, he ventured into entrepreneurship with a vision to found a company that would make a mark in its sector for innovation, service and the value of its franchise. In the same year, he opened Courteville

Investment Limited to offer corporate finance services and business process reengineering consulting to organisations. The company underwent a name change to Courteville Business Solutions Plc. in 2011 after it went public.

Under his astute leadership, Courteville Business Solutions Plc. became the leading data capturing service provider in Sub-Saharan Africa and is the first in its sector to be listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) with shareholders’ funds in excess of USD20 million.

Dr. Akindele is also the Chairman, Fosters Estate Limited; Chairman, Bolbis Ventures; Chairman, Courteville Investments Limited (Sierra Leone) and Director, Synergy Capital and Advisory Limited.

He is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered

Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CITN). He is an active member of the World Business Forum, Africa CEO Forum and the Commonwealth Business Forum. He is also professionally affiliated with the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) and the Institute of Directors (IOD).

He holds the distinction of being the only African on the Advisory Board of the Enterprise and Parliamentary Dialogue International (EPDI), a UKregistered independent, not-for-profit body set up to establish a bridge of understanding between parliamentarians and enterprises. He also sits on the Board of Advisors of the East Africa Business Network (EABN) – the first time a non-East African would occupy that position.

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A relentless philanthropist, he is an Associate Member of the Nigerian Red Cross in its Platinum Category, for his contribution in aid to medically vulnerable individuals, especially women and children.

In 2016, Courteville was voted the second best place to work in Nigeria by the Great Place to Work Institute at its 4th Annual Best Companies to Work for Award Ceremony, coming second only to Americanowned multinational corporation, EMC and ahead of Sanofi. The company was pitted against heavyweights such as EMC Corporation, iSON, Microsoft Nigeria, Guinness Nigeria, Poise Nigeria, Sanofi, Konga, SC Johnson and CAP Plc. At the awards, Courteville also bagged a Bright Spot Award for Best Practices while Dr. Akindele bagged a Bright Spot for Excellent Delivery of Leadership.

He later sat down for an interview with OVATION to discuss his most recent laurel, little beginnings, big feats and the role of providence in positioning him for life-changing opportunities.

We congratulate you on your recent conferment with the Lagos Man of the Year Award. How symbolic is this accolade for you and Courteville Group

Thank you very much. When the Centre for Policy Development and Political Studies (CEPODEPS) invited me as a nominee, it was a surprise and I wasn’t expecting anything. But I was assured by my team that it was a big deal of some sort. So we agreed that it was in our best interest to give it the best shot. We’re probably the smallest in terms of depth of pocket, visibility and size but we had social media presence and we maximised that. We had friends, family members and networks that allowed us reach as many people as we could to get them to vote for us. One significant outcome of this award is the visibility it has given our company. The award ceremony itself was a massive PR opportunity for, not just me, but my company in particular and all we do. Now we hope we will be able to take this to the next level by making sure that we do not disappoint those who voted for us

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as well as the Centre that has bestowed this honour.

It is still a big deal to us and for the next 12 months, we will run with this impetus.

How did it make you feel to see the immense support you received from family, colleagues and associates during the voting process and even afterwards at the award ceremony

The massive support we received demonstrates our relevance and the freshness of relationships built several decades back. We were able to garner votes not just from within our organisation but from home. My wife’s alumni associations from her secondary school and universities threw their weight behind us. We had votes coming in from Doha, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Ghana, the USA, the UK, and all over Africa.

It was simply a good way of knowing that we are still in touch with all the people that we should be in touch with.

Prior to the receipt of this award, many would consider AutoReg, which is the flagship service of Courteville Group’s subsidiaries more of a household name than you

“We need to start believing in ourselves as Nigerians. We have shown it at Courteville with a lot of our services. We have shown it with our people. We have won awards that are beyond Nigeria and Africa.”

the CEO. Would you regard yourself as reclusive and as shying away from the spotlight and any reason why

AutoReg has always been more popular than Courteville. In terms of visibility, the brand has overtaken all the other services we offer – right from inception in 2007. It does not predate Courteville but it is what is most popular because it has over 15 million customers across Nigeria and it is visible because of that. Courteville is a listed company on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). I have been around business circles and done a lot of things in the past 30 to 34 years. I have been an auditor, a bank examiner, a farmer, a banker and I am now running an IT services company. At 54, I have been around long enough for me not to be considered a recluse of any sort but then, the reservation that you require as an entrepreneur also demands that you operate from the background while your brand creations hug the spotlight. The person behind the service or company does not matter as much as the service being offered to clients and prospects.

Your career trajectory is one of transitions between not necessarily related disciplines-from Agriculture to Banking and Finance, now in IT services. What would you say accounts for these transitions

You find yourself in a peculiar system and you get thrust into reality very quickly. I graduated from the university in the mid-eighties and went for my national youth service. Unemployment was really bad at the time. Those were the years that we eventually had the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) and things were tough. I had studied Animal Science at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) and there were not too many opportunities in the labour market for what people read in school at the time. The available opportunities were banking, business administration and accounting-related. So a lot of us found ourselves in audit practice and training regardless of what our backgrounds were. I found my

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“She is the all-inall after God to all of us at home…I cannot separate the blessings of this company or mine or of anyone around us from her efforts.”

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way into KPMG Peat Marwick Ani Ogunde and Co. between 1987 and 1989 and when I was done with training here, I moved to Central Bank where I served as an Agricultural Credit Officer. I moved into the Agriculture Finance Department in 1989 because of my background but eventually I was pushed into roles that had to do with recording data, recording and preparing finance and accounts, treasury, and eventually, bank examination in the Central Bank.

Thereafter, I moved into private sector banking in 1993 and the rest is history. As a private banker, it didn’t matter what you read in school really. As a manager, it was all the same, as a science or an art form. Management is management and leadership is leadership regardless of what your background was.

What you read simply became part of what you needed to do a good job as a banker at that level. I left banking in 2004 at General Manager level to promote Courteville which started as a business advisory firm but we have since expanded our portfolio because we were striving to offer practical solutions to everyday problems in people’s lives. That was how the AutoReg franchise was born. And after AutoReg, we have created a lot of different services and products that are helping to drive our vision which essentially involves touching the life of every citizen of the world. In doing that, we say we will ensure to give our stakeholders the best in terms of equity, equilibrium, empathy and many other values. We want to make sure that on a daily business, you will find your way to one of our platforms to meet one or more of your daily requirements.

You did say at the award event that your success in life has not been the product of any meticulous planning process but by the grace of God. One would imagine that for someone who has achieved such a level of success, there must have been a certain degree of fastidious planning involved

The greatest planner is God-the Almighty Allah himself. I do not believe that I have achieved anything that many more people have not tried just as hard or harder to achieve and yet failed. I am not the best at

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anything at which I have succeeded but God has been kind to position me here. The truth about it is that there hasn’t been any grand plan towards where we are now as a company and or where I am as an as an individual.

And I will never take glory for it or say it is simply as a result of my hard work. It has been God all the way.

The man pushing the cart out there is also working very hard but you need the element of God’s blessings in all you do. In your career, you need to be positioned appropriately and that cannot be by your own doing alone. My total belief in the Almighty Allah allows me to be well-positioned for opportunities and it has been shown to me regularly. I work very hard in one direction and there’s some unseen hand that pushes me in another direction and I find myself in a place better than I had hoped. AutoReg is one of those kinds of situations and I looked for what to call it for decades until I stumbled upon a book about five to six years ago called Synchronicity. You cannot claim the glory for what synchronicity does in your life. It is God. So you do not believe in the concept of self-made men

God makes man. Man will just make effort not to lose the opportunities when God presents them to him.

At the award ceremony also, you rolled back the years when you mentioned the days of little beginnings with the likes of the former Minister of State for Finance, Remi Babalola and other individuals – days when you had no car or house of your own - and how your wives chose you guys not because of any tangible success you had but because of your potential. What were those early days like

Those were the years between 1986 and the early nineties. We were all young men, not so fresh out of school, but mostly trying to get a foothold in some career or employment. A few of us were in training with KPMG then. My friend, Remi Babalola, who eventually became my best man in 1991 was with Arthur Andersen. We had Aiyedun Fashina. We had the current Managing Director of FMDQ, Bola Onadele Koko in our set too. We had Debo Olasore and Laoye Jaiyeola who is the current CEO of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group. There were quite a number of us at that level at that time. The current

Minister of Trade, Industry and Investment, Okechukwu Enelamah was two years behind us in ICAN training. We were all young men and women at the time hoping for the best and the best we could attempt to do at that time was to position ourselves, in terms of our careers, for the greatest opportunities that we would be presented with. None of us had a car even though I was driving my dad’s car. I was still staying in my dad’s home. None of us had anything until we got our first jobs in banks. The current Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo did not even have a doctorate at that time, if I recall well. He was our lecturer in Company Law in 1989 during ICAN classes. You never can tell where you will end up. Here we are now with no knowledge of what will happen in the next minute, hour, year or decade. So, for me, it is about how well you position yourself to take advantage of the opportunities that God brings to you and to pray that God blesses your effort while at it.

I noticed that even though this was a personal award and not a company award, you still singled out your staff for praise and lauded their contributions towards the making of your success story

Courteville has a particular stakeholder that we do not toy with-our staff. It is only when you treat your staff well that your customers will get treated well and not the other way round. I grew up as a professional not having the benefit of mentorship or role modelling and I had to stumble my way through everything I know in most cases. So I have learned that you have to keep telling people that beyond what you can do for yourself, you also need to be allowed to grow and learn from those who have been through it. At Courteville, we have over 200 employees and everyone was involved in the voting. So, my appreciation was on a number of many levels transcending what you can even imagine. They participated at the level of self-involvement. They contributed through their extended families. They went out of their way to call for votes on my behalf on social media. They contributed towards the holding of the event. They took this beyond work. It was a personal cause for them and that, I had to appreciate.

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And between them and me, it has always been personal. We do not have a company as it were, we have a family. We empathise with our staff. It is only at Courteville that you have such open relationships between the executives and the staff. That is why a year ago, an international agency, Great Place to Work, gave us four awards including the second best place to work in West Africa. And awards keep coming in from different directions. We do things differently here. Our employees are our flagship stakeholders. It is what they project and how they project the company that allows the users of our services see what we have to offer.

As a CEO, what do you look out for when recruiting to fill positions within your organisation

The first thing a leader needs to be good at is recognising talent and potential in people even before the people themselves see their own potentials. You have to be able to discern it from afar. It does not have to be palpable but from short interactions, you should be able to detect that a person would make a great addition in a particular area of need within the organisation. That’s a gift I have always had. I watch out for people with passion and courage. I watch out for people who are not entirely like me but who can complement me in all that I do. You can’t do everything yourself. You need people to provide strength where you are weak.

It has become the singsong of many Nigerian employers that the schools are producing graduates who lack the requisite experience to function effectively in roles in the modern, complex workplace. Do you have the same experience

Oh yes we do but it does not stop there. Your role either as an employer or manager or leader or as a Nigerian entrepreneur is to see the potential in these kids regardless of the inadequacies of the system that produced them. Identify their potentials and train them to be better than they thought they could ever be. I have about 15 employees in my IT department and most of them graduated from Nigerian universities but we have trained them enough to know that they are just as good, if not better than those who come from abroad. I really don’t believe that all the local schools

are doing so poorly. Covenant University has won so many awards in terms of what they have produced in different fields. The problem really is the disconnect between the gown and the town but I believe that it is the role of the private sector to collaborate with the educational sector to ensure that the schools are not loading the students with theoretical garbage and churning out robots as graduates.

I see you have an impressive collection of books here. Do books play that important a role in the success of entrepreneurs

For me, it was never about books. Most of the books you see here have come from my mentees. We work on something together at the office and then they get to read a book where they see concepts and ideas I had already discussed with them and they get me the book. The interesting part is that that can only happen when what you are trying to mentor people about makes sense. I actually read about people and their autobiographies not because I want to be like them but because I can pick one or two things along the way. I read books on management and leadership. I went back to school after about a 20-year hiatus from academic work and bagged my doctorate degree because I felt there were some new things I needed to know. I know that learning has to be continuous and it is perpetual in my life. The day you stop learning is the day you start dying. My motto in life with regard to learning is, know a lot about everything and everything about a lot, and that positions you to be able to have meaning conversations and contributions.

Courteville is breaking new grounds in business domestically, across the African continent and around the world. Do you mind sharing with us some of the strides you have taken in the past decade

It continues to be a challenge trying to work in Africa. We have a wholly-owned subsidiary in Jamaica. We are in the process of setting up offices in Trinidad and Tobago and Turks and Caicos. In Africa, we started operations in Sierra Leone but it has stalled.

We have our operations in Zimbabwe and another is coming up in Liberia and hopefully, in Ghana soon. It has been so difficult, especially in the ECOWAS subregion to get any cooperation from any other economy

for Nigerian businesses to operate and thrive. We had a 10-year contract with Sierra Leone and we were only able to work for six months for nationalistic reasons.

Everybody is scared of a Nigerian businessman. They say we are too aggressive and we take over everything.

The same scenario plays out in a lot of other places.

There are some economies around us here whose names I will not mention that have unwritten policies of not letting Nigerian businesses come near, let alone thrive. Nigerian entrepreneurs suffer simply for being Nigerians out there. We try to overcompensate to be able to get any foothold out there. Then we come back home to Nigeria and are still disadvantaged because government favours foreign companies or local affiliates of foreign companies well above local companies with no such affiliations. I find that rather unfortunate. We need to start believing in ourselves as Nigerians. We have to start trusting what can come out of here. We have shown it in Courteville with a lot of our services. We have shown it with our people. We have won awards that are beyond Nigeria and Africa.

We have given the Nigerian government the kind of visibility that they have never had in places like Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. We have done things that nobody could have imagined would have happened here. AutoReg is the first of its type anywhere in the world and it still remains so. It is the only system that allows you go into a vehicle registration centre and come out with your vehicle documentation in less than five minutes. It happens nowhere else in the world. Courteville is the only company that can give you what we call the AutoReg Inspector that allows law enforcement agents to access a one-stop system on their mobile phones to verify vehicle documentation. We know how to use what we have to get what we want.

Courteville boasts an impressive portfolio of innovative IT-based business solutions-could you give us a quick run-through

We are most popular for AutoReg but we have a bouquet of other services that we have in our hands that allow us say with pride are relevant in solving business and other problems here. If you have to do anything with the National Agency for Food and Drug

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Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in terms of registering your product and getting required approvals, what you’ll need is NAPAMS which is an acronym for NAFDAC Automated Product Administration and Monitoring System. It is a webbased enterprise software solution that we designed and developed for NAFDAC for e-registration of new products and renewals, data capture to create an authentic database of all products currently approved and registered with NAFDAC and remote verification of all NAFDAC-approved products in Nigeria. It is the service that won the best application in the Commonwealth – a competition held in London last year and convened by the ICT Ministers of the various nations in the Commonwealth. If you have to do anything about your vehicle insurance and your marine importation business – the e-solution for documenting your transactions – the Nigerian Insurance Industry Database (NIID) – came from us. In collaboration with the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), the solution was developed to create an authentic and verifiable database of all insurance policies issued in Nigeria. We have Egole Shopping – which really is the first ecommerce site in Nigeria-only that it was not straight up commercial. We have other products designed for other specific sectors – education, business and much more. The SMELite was developed to help small and medium scale enterprises grow into world class business by simplifying their processes and helping them to eliminate bottlenecks that impede growth. The challenges of SMEs in Nigeria are clear – lack of transparency in their operations, lack of accountability and lack of financials. In conjunction with some banks, we designed SMELite to address these three issues and then also create visibility for the product or service.

You don’t have to do anything technical other than to simply enter your transactions and your accounts are produced on online databases. The banks will know what you have done by seeing your numbers. You yourself will see your own numbers without prior training as an accountant. You can also print your

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My motto in life with regard to learning is, know a lot about everything and everything about a lot, and that positions you to be able to have meaningful conversations and contributions

records for anybody to review. At the end of it allyou can get this premium service for as low as five thousand naira-the cheapest such service anywhere. We have gotten interest from the Jamaican Stock Exchange and gotten interest as well from Coventry University. They are trying to get us to remodel it to suit their own purpose. What we produce is world class and they can be repurposed to meet market needs anywhere in the world

As a very busy Chief Executive, how do you balance your responsibilities at the workplace with your responsibilities as a husband and father

I don’t take work home and I don’t bring home to work. I compartmentalise. I learned that from Chinese traditions where you can actually build something akin to Chinese walls in your mind so that you can give one hundred per cent of your focus and attention wherever and whenever it is needed. I do the best I can at work and do same at home. I don’t work at home and I don’t do home at work. You won’t find a work desk at my house.

You had glowing words of praise for your wife during your remarks at the award event. How would you describe her and the role she has played in your life

At the event, you know I mentioned that the extended family has named her apoti aje which means treasure chest in English. She is the homemaker even though she is a businesswoman. She is the wife, mother, daughter, sister to every one of us at home.

She is the all-in-all after God to all of us at home. She keeps it all together and allows me to focus on all we need to do to be able to give the family the best we can afford by God’s grace. She’s a central point in most instances. She is a mentor to a lot of people. She

believes that I am too open – even to a fault – but it is because she has not stood in front of a mirror because she is exactly like that.

My choice of her was by divine orchestration in 1990 when I saw her. I knew right away that she was the one I wanted to marry even without her knowing. And by 1991 we were married. I cannot separate the blessings of this company or mine or of anyone around us from her efforts. She has put in 120% of her being into everything we have done together and it has been good all the way. Challenges come as an inevitable part of life but we are thankful that we have waded them successfully together.

Tell us about your kids

I have four kids and I am quite grateful for all of them. They are lot more intelligent than I am. I never try to teach them new things because they know the new things. I can only teach them old things. It just gladdens one’s heart that all one’s investments and efforts are not going to waste. I only wish all parent could afford the same kind of opportunities for their children. The first recently graduated in America with a degree in Global Business Management and has just started work. The other three are still here in the American school system and they are a delight to have around. The way their curriculum works allows me to tap new insights that I bring back to work and discuss with my teams. I am grateful for the blessings of God on my family.

What interests do you pursue in your spare time

I stay home. I watch TV, sports. I read sometimes.

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...AT THE COLOURFUL AWARD CEREMONY

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Dr. Aderemi Ifaolopin, Alh. Ismail Zakari, Dr. & Mrs. Akindele with Mr. Remi Babalola

Hon. Segun Olulade presenting the award

Dr. Aderemi Ifaolopin, Hon. Segun Olulade, Dr. & Mrs. Akindele

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Dr. & Mrs. Akindele

Mr. Remi Babalola presenting award to Dr. Akindele

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Ologijo of Ogijo & Elejirin Of Ejinrin with Celebrant & wife

Mr. Peter Babafemi, Celebrant & wife & Hon. Segun Olulade

Alh. Adewale Shonaike, Mr. Ayedun Fasina, celebrant & wife with Mr. Remi Babalola & wife

Dr. Uche Olowu, Pastor Faniran & wife, celebrant & wife with Bukky Allen

Mr. Yomi Akapo & Mr. & Mrs. Oye-Ogundele

Hon. Ayedun Fasina, Mr. Remi Babalola & wife

Wole & Chioma Adetuyi

Dr. & Mrs. Akindele & Prof. Bukola Ojo

Mr. & Mrs. Lanre Iyanda

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Odusanya Nike Ojikutu & Fasasi Ololade

Mrs. Yetunde Ozebagbe, celebrant, Mr. Bright Ozebagbe with Mr. Seyi Martins

Celebrant with his Staff

Celebrant with Staff

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Dr. Akintoye Akindele & Ms. Fola Olusanya

Mr. Bright Ozebagbe, Mrs. Yetunde Ozebagbe & Mr. Seyi Martins

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Hon. Segun Olulade, HRM. Oba Kazeem Olanipekun Gbadamosi & Olori, Celebrant & wife, HRM Oba Elejinrin of Ejinrin & Olori

Traditional Rulers with Celebrant & wife

Odusanya Nike Ojikutu, Prof. Bukola Ojo, celebrant & wife & Fasasi Ololade

Odusanya Nike Ojikutu, Prof. Bukola Ojo, celebrant & wife with Fasasi Ololade

Dr. Aderemi Ifaolopin

Dr. Adebola Akindele

Mr. Gbadamosi Giwa (Chairman, Tripple Gee Nig. Plc) with celebrant & wife

Family & friends with Celebrant & wife

Mr. Japhet (Factor)

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THE COLOURFUL WEDDING OF

HALIMA BABANGIDA AND AUWAL ABDULLAHI IN MINNA, NIGER STATE Story: Michael Effiong Photo: Segun Lawal

A

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part from their famed humility, one thing that members of the Babangida family knows how to do better than most is hosting colourful and classy parties-and at the wedding of Halima, the second daughter of Nigeria’s Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (Rtd) and Auwal Abdullahi, they went a notch higher.

From the Wedding Dinner which was held at the

El-Amin International School, (established by the late matriarch of the family, Mrs Maryam Babangida) to the wedding fatiha and reception, held at the Babangida’s Hilltop Residence,both located in Minna, Niger State, the décor was simply amazing.

As with all Muslim weddings, the high point of the celebration of love is usually the wedding fatiha which unfolded at the Babangida Family Mosque

located at the General’s Hilltop residence in Minna Niger State. The short ceremony which ended with prayers was conducted by the Chief Imam of Niger State in the presence of the elders of both families.

Hours before this ceremony, the venue was a beehive of activities as Nigeria’s who is who arrived for the occasion. Though the venue is just a few hours from Nigeria’s capital Abuja, many of the guests came in private jets!

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THE GORGEOUS BRIDE: HALIMA

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Hajia Bola Shagaya, Halima Babangida & Mrs. Patience Jonathan

Hajia Bola Shagaya, Halima Babangida & Mrs. Patience Jonathan

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Hajia Abbah Folawiyo, Halima Babangida & Erelu Abiola Dosunmu

Bride with elder brother, Aminu Babangida

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Couple with Bride’s Father, General Ibrahim Babangida (Rtd)

Halim Babangida & Auwal Abdullahi

Mohammed Babangida, Halima Babangida & Auwal Abdullahi

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Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu & Former President Goodluck Jonathan

General Ibrahim Babangida, Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki & Rt. Hon Yakubu Dogara

General Abdulsalami Abubakar (Rtd.), Couple & Justice Fati Lami Abubakar

Couple with Hajia Bola Shagaya

Former Governor, Ahmed Makaifi, Former Governor, Ibrahim Shehu Shema, Former Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu & Senator Shehu Sanni

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Prince Nduka Obaigbena, Abdulsamad Rabiu & Uncle Sam Amuka-Pemu

Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara & Former Vice President, Namadi Sambo

Halima, the second daughter of General Babangida and Auwal, a businessman who holds the traditional title of Sarkin Sudan Gombe were introduced to the whole world at the reception which was exquisitely decorated by the team from Elizabeth R with the keen supervision of the bride’s elder sister, Aisha Babangida.

That reception had in attendance former President Goodluck Jonathan and wife, Patience, General Abdulsalami Abubakar and wife, Justice Fati, former First Lady, Mrs Turai Yar Adua, Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon.

Yakubu Dogora and so many other important personalities.

What can be termed the highest point of the occasion was when the couple was invited to cut their cake, they fed each other and then took pictures with the invited guests and family members.

There was so much merrymaking at this event. Guests were served special local cocktails like Kunu, Tangerine Juice, Zobo etc by well-clad waiters while food was at every one’s beck and call. The Babangida family members were at their hospitable best, little wonder that many guests went home with huge smiles on their faces.

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Alhaji Aliko Dangote

Captain Nosa Okunbo & Tunde Ayeni

Dr. Chukwemeka Ezeife

Chief (Mrs.) Modupe Jemibewon

Prince Nduka Obaigbena

Sam Iwuajoku

Obong Victor Attah

Former Governor, Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu

Senator Ben Murray-Bruce

Abdulsamad Rabiu

Chief Raymond Dopkesi

Kayode Komolafe of Thisday

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Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor

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Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan

Malam Ibrahim Shekarau

Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola

Senator Ahmed Yerima

Senator Ali Modu-Sheriff & Hon. Cairo Ojuogboh

Mohammed Abacha & wife, Hamma

Otunba Gbenga Daniel

Alhaji Ahmed Makarfi

Former Ibrahim Shema

Alahji Sule Lamido

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Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa

Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (Rtd)

Zainab Yar’dua Dakingari

Tunde Folawiyo & Prince Segun Oniru

Oluwaseyi Tinubu & Alhaji Sani Dangote

Dame Patience Jonathan & Hajia Bola Shagaya

Tony Elumelu & Kazeem Afegbua

Alhaji Sule Lamido, Sen. Sanusi Dagash & Alhaji Yayale Ahmed

Wife of the former VP, Mrs Amina Sambo, Olori Wuraola Ogunwusi & friend

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Mohammed Babangida, Couple, Senator Godswill Akpabio, General Banagida (Rtd) & Gen. Abubakar (Rtd)

Erelu Abiola Dosunmu, Hajia Abah Folawiyo,couple & Hajia Bola Shagaya

Mrs. Ajoke Mohammed, Justice Fati Abubakar, Couple, Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija & Mrs. Turai Yar Adua

R-l: Mukhtar Shagaya & friends with Aisha Babangida & Hajia Bola Shagaya

Michael Effiong, Editor, Ovation International with Aisha Babangida

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Mohammed Babngida, couple, Aisha Babangida & Aminu Babangida

Groom with Aisha Babangida

Couple, The babangidas with Veteran Photographer, Sunmi Smart-Cole

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THE GRAND FAREWELL FOR

SIR JULIUS IFIDON OLA IN SABONGIDA-ORA, EDO STATE

Francis Ifidon Ola, Olu Ifidon Ola, Lohi, Mrs. Orumenosen Omoluwa & Sir Lucky Omoluwa

Sir Lucky Omoluwa & wife

R-L Dorcas Sapele & Comfort Makama

Sir Julius Ifidon’s grand children

L-r: Dipo Sanya, Mr. Ajibade, Mr. Sulaimon Mohammed, Mr. Oloye & Mr. Paul Erokoro

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Rev. Father Kale, Father Ejiofo, Father Thumbs, Emma Imana, Sir Lucky Omoluwa, Father Alumuku, Father Jooji & Father Osbert

T

he sleepy town of Sabongida-Ora literally came alive when the remains of very pious Sir Julius Ifidon Ola were laid to rest. The unassuming patriarch who died at 83 was giving a most befitting and grand funeral by his family and friends-in deed was a huge celebration of his glorious life.

For the influential family, it was another low point after the loss of their mother, Mabel Omozehio some years ago. Olu, Lohi, Orumenosen and their

other siblings did not grieve; rather, they celebrated the glorious and fulfilled life of their father.

Expectedly, the burial ceremony was a show-stopper as friends of Sir Lucky Omoluwa, the amiable Chairman of Pinnacle Communications Limited, an in-law to the deceased (married Orumenosen), came out in droves to pay their last respects to Sir Julius Ifidon Ola. Proceedings began on Thursday August 10, 2017 with Service of Songs at

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Senator Tukur Bello & guest

Chairman Itex Furniture, Mr. Tony Ezekiel & Chairman Pinnacle Communications Ltd., Sir Lucky Omoluwa

Dr. Fachi, Mrs Omoluwa,Mr. Sam Adenge & former Taraba State Governor, Jolly Nyame

R-L Mr. Sule Dauda & Alhaji Kabiru Shuaibu

National WAVES Magazine publisher, Jimmy Enyeh & Terry Waya’s younger brother, Chia Waya at the event

Mrs. Orumenosen Omoluwa performing the dust to dust rites while respected men of God look on

his GRA Benin City residence; it was followed by a Commendation Service at Our Savior’s Anglican Church, GRA, Benin City. To portray how dedicated he was to the service of God and humanity, another service was held in his honour at St. John Anglican Church, Sabongidda-Ora, he was thereafter buried in his Sabongidda-Ora residence.

Unknown to many, Sir Julius Ifidon Ola (J.P) was born into the families of Ohionuan and Imoukhuede of Sabongidda-Ora, Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State on the 18th of May 1934. He had his early education at Government College and Uhrobo College in Warri, from where he proceeded to Fourah Bay College, Freetown and finally to Durham University in 1961.

He joined the former Western Region Service as its Information Officer, serving in that capacity until December 1966. Prior to this, he had attended a course in Berlin-Tegal, Germany, under the aegis of The German Foundation of developing countries and in 1962 was posted to the former Midwestern Region as the Information Officer in charge of the entire Western Region.

In February1963, Sir Ifidon Ola proceeded to Lon-

don for a year in-service training. The year 1967 saw his promotion to the role of Senior Information Officer and his employment at the Central office in London. In 1972, he attended a course on Development Administration at the University of Wisconsin, USA and upon his return was promoted to the post of Acting Permanent Secretary.

He was one of the most formidable, dependable, disciplined and trustworthy Permanent Secretaries of his time and as a result was popularly referred to as “.Super Perm Sec”. His service under various military and civilian governments attests to his lasting relevance to the civil service.

From 1969 to 1971, Sir Ifidon-Ola was appointed Sole Administrator of the Bendel Newspaper Corporation (Publishers of the Observer Newspaper) and became its General Manager from 1971 to 1972. He was later appointed Chairman from 1974 to 1975.

In 1972, he held the position of Acting Permanent Secretary in the then Ministry of Home Affairs and Information, following which he was posted to the Ministry of Health in the same capacity. He subsequently served in the Ministry of Education from February to

November 1975.

He was Permanent Secretary for nine years in various parastatals namely Ministry of Home Affairs, & Information, Trade & Industry, Establishments, Public Matters Department of the Governor’s Office and the Ministry of Works & Transport. Within this period of time, he was a member of the Board of Bendel Pharmaceutical Ltd, Eternit Nigeria Limited, Niger Construction Company Limited and was a director of Nigerian Water Resources Ltd. Sir Ifidon Ola eventually retired from civil service in 1984 and joined his darling wife, Mabel Omozehio Ifidon- Ola (Nee Ilevbare) as head of Jim Travel Agency, a travel business they established in 1983. He served as its Chairman.

While running his business, he was appointed by the Federal Government to the Board of the Nigeria Mining Corporation, Jos. Sir Ifidon-Ola was appointed Justice of Peace in 1993 and was consecrated Knight of St Christopher in March 1996.

Until his demise, he was the Chairman of Jim Travel Agency Ltd and a Director of Niki Manufacturing Co. Ltd. He is blessed with seven children and grandchildren.

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Bill Bedzrah, Matome Mbatha (Marketing Manager, (WOSA), Darkey Ephraim (Head of Mission, South Africa High Commission, Lagos), H.E Madam Gloria Bongi Ngema-Zuma (First Lady of Republic of South Africa) & Mr Lulu Louis Mnguni (South Africa High Commissioner to Nigeria)

First Lady of South Africa, Madam Gloria Bongi Ngema-Zuma delivering her speech as Senior Diplomats: Mr Ephraim & Mr. Mnguni look on

AT THE

WINES OF SOUTH AFRICA (WOSA)

GRAND

TASTING EVENT IN LAGOS, NIGERIA Story: Michael Effiong Photo: Segun Lawal

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I

Matome Mbatha

t was fun all the way at the 6th Edition of the Wines Of South Africa (WOSA) Grand tasting event held at the Prestigious Four Points By Sheraton, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The Grand Tasting event which showcased the diversity, innovation and the uniqueness of South African wines, attracted connoisseurs, captains of industry, consumers, distributors and wine produces was also attended by South Africa’s First Lady, H.E. Bongi-NgemaZuma and South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr LL Mnguni.

According to Matome Mbatha, Marketing Manager Africa, Wines of South Africa, the Grand Tasting event is geared towards ultimately creating Ambassadors for South African wines. “It is designed to showcase quality wines from Wine Producers and exhibit over 200 wine brands from different regions in the Cape Wine land of South Africa”.

He noted that South Africa is currently the world’s seventh largest wine producer

and have more fair trade wineries than any other country.

In her speech, Mrs Zuma expressed joy at the continued patronage of South African wines by Nigerians, noting that intra-African trade was one of the best ways of improving the economic fortunes of the continent.

She stated that in the past decade there’s been a renaissance in the wine industry, with new plantings, new knowledge and a new generation of enthusiastic wine makers, which means that South Africans are constantly improving to appeal to consumers with different taste.

As soft music was wafting in the background, and guests tasting and networking, it was a truly entertaining evening where guests were expected to taste and trade.

The very next day, the Grand Tasting event moved to Accra, Ghana and the venue this time was the 5-star, Movenpick Ambassador Hotel. Again the event organisers, Jon Williams Limited laid out a spectacular setting that was cosy and convivial.

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Bill Bedzrah

Darkey Ephraim

Biola Akinola & Michael Effiong

Chidi, Mr. Emeka, Sir. Victor & Victor Nwanchukwu

Darkey Ephraim, Matome Mbatha & Lulu Louis Mnguni

Gilles Abadasi, Kanmi Olubi & Babatunde Awodipe

Matome Mbatha, Allister, Kelvin & Lulu Louis Mnguni

Moses, Darkey Ephraim, Matome Mbatha, Lulu Louis Mnguni & Biola Akinola

Mr. & Mrs. Meyer

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Mr. Stephen James

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...WHEN WOSA STORMED ACCRA, GHANA

Matome Mbatha (Africa Market Manager for WOSA) in a chat with H.E. Lulu Xingwana, South Africa High Commissioner to Ghana (middle) & H.E. Pavelyn Tendai Musaka, Zimbabwe Ambassador to Ghana

Matome Mbatha with Emeline Nkosi TV prese4nter

Mr. Danielli Appiah (middle) of Electric West Africa

Monaslisa

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H.E. US Ambassador to Ghana, Mr. Robert P. Jackson & wife, Babs

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ISHA JOHANSEN C E L E B R AT E S AFRICAN WOMEN OF EXCELLENCE IN SIERRA LEONE Interveiw: Enitan Okesanya Photo: Koya Adegbite

A

frican women are rising and taking their place at the world’s biggest tables and Isha Tejan-Cole Johansen, one of Sierra Leone’s most powerful women and President of the West African country’s Football Association, SLFA, is rising with them.

An ardent passion for the beautiful game gleaned from the streets of Freetown playing football with her brothers and their friends has bloomed magnificently into a distinguished career in football administration. The lessons imbibed from her father who was co-founder of football club, East End Lions F.C. in Freetown and who also took her to see football matches, have undoubtedly formed the building blocks of her success.

Following in her father’s footsteps, she founded her own football club, F.C. Johansen, in 2004, with the objective of providing support and opportunities to children devastated by the Sierra Leone Civil War which raged for 11 years between 1991 and 2002. The club began playing in Division One in 2011 and was promoted to the Premier League the following year. Isha’s glittering dossier is decorated with many firsts. In 1993, she became the first woman publisher in her country's history, producing Rapture Magazine, an entertainment publication.

She is the first woman to serve as President of the Sierra Leonean Football Association, the only female president of a football association in Africa and one of only a few women in the world to have headed a national football association. She is also the first woman to serve in FIFA’s Security and Integrity committee. Earlier this year she was appointed as the head of the Confederations of African Football (CAF) Women’s football Committee making her the first Sierra Leonean to head such a committee in the organisation’s 60-year history.

Through her Power Play footballing initiative, she is providing opportunities for and empowering disadvantaged African girls and women to become better versions of themselves. Although it hasn’t all been crisp and cream in her inspiring and trailblazing career having had her fair share of trials, no one is more optimistic about the future than Isha whose all consuming passion is to use her power, influence and position to empower other African women to fulfil their highest potential and to transform the fortunes of the game of football in Sierra Leone.

She shares her triumphs and travails in this interview with OVATION.

Cecil & Adebayo Jones

How did your journey into football administration begin

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Mr. & Mrs. Johansen

It started here actually, at Hill Station in Freetown just across the road - right after our very brutal civil war in

(L) Dr. Nemata Majeks-Walles ( Minority Leader)

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ADEBAYO JONES COLLECTIONS

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Sierra Leone, which ended in 2002. There were many kids roaming around the neighbourhood and there was a humanitarian project to put back some underprivileged roaming kids who were very talented and passionate about football back into school, helping them to live their dreams, to chase their dreams and in fact to be able to dream of having a dream and to chase it and live the dream.

The club was called East End Lions F.C. and that was how it all started-community league matches, educating them, teaching them social skills, travelling with them round half of the world from Scandinavia, to Europe, to America and having international youth tournaments-that is my journey really.

I call it the field of dreams. And in 2011, I guess with having done all of that, I actually had the audacity to dream of doing what I achieved at the local level on a national scale. And so I actually threw my hat in at the very last minute - maybe two weeks to the closing date to declare myself as a candidate for the FA position, the highest seat in football in Sierra Leone. It never really did occur to me that I being the first woman would be make it a bit harder. I just thought that I would be good at it.

I didn’t have a manifesto because I thought that my walking, talking billboard was FC Johansen. I thought the success we had accomplished at FC Johansen would suffice as my credential for what I would be able to build on the national level. So that is me and my journey and what an incredible story it has been.

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And how incredible a journey has it been for you in football administration particularly in a male-dominated field

It has been a bit of a sweet one. It has been a learning curve, not just for me but I guess for most women who aspire to greatness, to achieving, especially for women who dare or have the audacity to dream about becoming leaders - especially in territories where ordinarily, it is a norm that men are the stakeholders or men are the role models in those particular professions.

I think it is also a story and an eye opener for our youths like I said earlier, that if you have a dream, not only should you be allowed to dream and dream big but you should chase the dream. And that the dreams do not just end up as dreams but that you are empowered to actually realise those dreams.

The sweet side is the success of it all. Yes, I come from a privileged background but I also came back to help those who are less privileged or less fortunate and in so doing, that had its drawbacks because not everybody understood where I was coming from and not everybody was willing to accept me as someone who was genuinely out to help and not to exploit. And that has cost me a lot daily. It has cost me my health; it has cost me a lot of emotional trauma, but at the end of the day, it has been a successful journey thus far. This is the reason you are interviewing me, and this is the reason the world is thrilled by my story because it is one of success against the odds where people thought she would fail, she has no chance, or she has no

business being in this region, in this profession, in this arena. I have been able to defy those odds and achieved, excelled, and risen above it.

The question now for me is, now that I have it, what am I going to do with it? And I am actually excited and enthralled to find out what I am going to do with this success story. I do not want my story to be clichĂŠ-to simply be one about a woman who has beaten the odds or challenged and won in a male-dominated profession.

But now that I have actually earned it-the power, the role and gained momentum, what am I going to do with that? So, yes, you asked a question and I always ask myself this question-so what now? What is next?

What challenges have you faced as a woman at the top of her profession and what would you say are the obstacles to more and more African women rising to occupy maledominated roles in politics, business and other fields

I think the obvious – the obvious being gender is troubling. Let us not fool ourselves and let us not pretend that even in this day and age, Africa is not still behind in terms of gender equality. I am not one who would put a woman in a position or vote for a woman or lobby for a woman simply because she is a woman.

I would lobby for a woman who has potential, who has the ability to be given an equal opportunity to develop and deploy that potential -that is what we are asking for.

Women want an equal platform as the men. Give a woman that and let her go and perform and if she excels, fantastic, and if not, then we know she was been given a fighting chance. It took me a really long time to realise that the reason I was being given such a hard

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Yeamoh Karu

Jonathan Rhodes

Hon. (Dr.) Bernadette Laha & Dr. (Mrs.) Nemata Majeks-Walles

Mariam Edward Kargbo

Francis Stevens George & wife

Dr. (Mrs.) Nana Pratt

Amb. Ali Bangora

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Aminatu Kabba

Amb. Ebun & Dr. Faty Forna

Abdul Jaffa & Lukmuda Jaffa

Jessie Zainab & Farouh Gebara

Adomis Abboud

Jonan Ulan & Mary Ulan

Millicent Sonye

Hola (left)

Lanbratu Benka-Coker

Mrs. Abegail George

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Jenneh & J.J. Amara Chief Izubundu Chinyere

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Mr. & Mrs. Simon

Memnna Janneh

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas

Sharon Nouans & Vasmine Ibrahim

Mr. & Mrs. Fawzia Joseph & Natalie

Isette Conteh

Andra Hopes, Jerry Hopes & Natalie

Lilian Smith & Abdurahman Swarray

time was because I am a woman. Having grown up with men, with boys, my brothers, all my life, being a girl, never came in to the equation.

I just got on with life every day and accomplished things as a norm. Being around men, boys, getting into football, playing table tennis - I was taught table tennis by my father and his brothers, my uncles.

I climbed trees, I rode bicycles, I never had a doll, I never did the girly things, it was all just digging and running with the boys. And so even in making a go for the FA position, it never occurred to me, not even once, that if I do this, I would be the first female FA president in Sierra Leone if I were to succeed.

It never dawned on me. I went into the race as Isha and not as a female. So, to be quite honest, it was only recently that it dawned on me-when it got really intense-like with the renowned Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) arrest case and detention. People came out and said, “She is a prostitute,” and things like that. Very harsh and direct, vulgar, abusive and harsh words were used. Then you sit back and you realise, “Oh my goodness, they are actually insulting my womanhood.”

Then it hits home that it is all about being a woman.

These are all the challenges. I have often said this that in my fight for good governance, my fight for bringing back integrity into the game of football, and to sports in general, and in my fight to raise the game in Sierra

Leone, if I were a man, I would still have the same challenges that I am currently having.

However, because I am a woman, it makes it a little more pronounced and maybe, just maybe the men find it a little bit more difficult especially in football. But I am very honest in saying that were I to be a man, I would still have these challenges because there are men who are facing challenges in my country and men that I know around the world, who are fighting for good governance and stability and some kind of normality and trying to change the face of their continent, or their environment, who are having the same challenges that I have and we cannot say that it is because they are men. However, because I am a woman, it is more pronounced.

Going forward, what are your plans for the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA)

Four years ago, when I declared myself as a candidate for the presidency of SLFA, I said that in order for there to be an effective change, in order for us to go forward, Sierra Leone has got to be able to address the present.

The present being that the SLFA was very dysfunctional and I said that three things needed to be endorsed and enforced and those are: integrity, good governance and discipline. As a woman, I felt that the men either swept their dysfunctional behaviour under the carpet or basically considered it as normal because

of entrenched loyalties.

They simply were not able to address these issues because if you do not address the present, there is absolutely no way we can even hope to look to the future. My plan is that we bring back good governance into the SLFA. The problems that we face in football are no different from the problems faced in the banking sector, in the legal sector, in every other sector in this country.

The same problems everywhere but more pronounced with football because people have got the time to make the noise about it and all we can ask ourselves is that football has a lot of power to make a change but would we rather allow dysfunctional behaviour persist. So, for me that is the change I seek.

Sierra Leone football has got to evolve and people need to understand that it cannot be business as usual.

We cannot hope to be like the Nigerians and Ghanaians and the Ivoirians and all this other big African Nations that go to the World Cup and to the African Cup of Nations if we cannot address the present. And the present is that we must bring back integrity into the game, kick out match fixing, kick out gambling and I mean gambling by football administrators.

It is not Isha’s law, this is the law of the game. It is a fact that you have massive gambling companies as sponsors in the game and that is good because they make the game even more exciting and there is more

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Mr. Arne Birger Johansen

Mrs. Isha Johansen

money in the game. But, as a football administrator, you need not ask the question why you cannot administer football and also be a gambler, or someone who is the pioneer of gambling or endorses gambling.

You just cannot do that.

Our structures are weak but I am very happy to say that during my tenure in the past three and half years, we have encouraged more women to come into football, more female referees, more female coaches, we actually even have the first female A License coach.

Not many countries including the very big countries can boast of having a female A License coach. We also have CAF instructors.

We have been growing and it has not been easy because we have had other problems. I have decided to run for the second term because I have unfinished business even though I have managed to accomplish some significant feats in the first term but there is still a lot to be done. One of my plans is to see to it that Sierra Leone qualifies to the Africa Cup of Nations holding in Cameroon in 2019.

It is also my dream to see Sierra Leone make a debut at the World Cup in the next four years. My plan for SLFA is to see that more women come into football administration like me, whether you are a player or not.

It would be great to have some females off the field and into football governance.

My plans are to see that our youths are able to combine football and education because again not everybody will become a Drogba, a Toure, or a Rolando, and we need to let them know that if their big footballing dreams do not materialise, they need something to fall back on.

And I would love to see an environment where we

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Mrs. Jeanne Kamara

have a football association that makes that kind of provision where a kid who played football from the age of 13 to the age of 17 or 18 or 21, who could not make it to the big league, or could not make it as a reserve, or could not make it to any of the national teams, can work here as a junior coach with a C License so he can coach the youth teams.

This is my dream and it is an ongoing process. If you love the game and you want to be part of the game, you don’t have to be part of the 90 minutes of on-field stardom but you can be part of that journey. I am part of that journey. I am behind the scenes of making that dream come true for Sierra Leone.

So, the dreams are big, they are large, and they will happen. I may not be the FA president to see that big dream come true where Sierra Leone lifts the world cup, or the African Nations Cup but I would be alive!

At the end of the day like I said, this is all I am about big dreams. Your dreams must be so big that they would scare you. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf actually said that in the Harvard Gazette, she made some statement there that, “if your dreams do not scare you, then they are not big enough,” and I subscribe to that. And this is all we are all about, big dreams, because we have the talent. What is left is to put the structures in place.

As the first female CAF executive, does it just end here for you or we should expect more

I will like to believe that you should expect some more; I expect some more. This has been an absolutely amazing achievement from bottom-before I became a CAF executive, that was the first gender.

It is an achievement not just for Isha Johansen, my son, my parents, my husband or for Sierra Leoneans

Jamid Shallip & wife

but for all womenfolk in Africa. Again it is a siren-it just amplifies what I was saying about having big dreams and having the audacity to dream, achieve and to cross barriers. FIFA is obviously the ultimate but having said that, I am also playing a very active role in FIFA as a committee member in an extremely important committee which is called the Member Associations Committee and we deal with governance of all the member associations in the world.

So, it also gives me an insight about and opportunities to interact with these member associations and that broadens my scope. I think that as a female CAF executive member, I owe it to women all over the world and especially to African women to be able to rebrand our continent and to be able to use women and the sport, to be able to rebrand.

Again, football has the power to communicate at all levels and in every sector. Football crosses the boundaries - religious, ethnic, gender, political and more. So, I am looking forward to seeing what is possible to do. There are of course some challenges we may not be able to overcome now but we can always try and I am not one to shy away from trying.

I do not know if you know much about the PowerPlay-4-Football project but before I became a CAF executive, that the first gender initiative to be endorsed by CAF and it is simply giving African women and girls a voice through football.

It is an initiative which through the power of football you can address issues such as early marriage, abuse, and more. We can do that through football and that is why I am looking to get on board a very close girlfriend of mine who is a communication expert called Memuna Forna, who is a Sierra Leonean and

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lives in Sierra Leone.

I hope that she is able to abort her current consultancy and get on board with Power Play so that we can push that further and make it louder but I think you are going to see a lot more and hear a lot more of Power Play as a CAF initiative.

You do not have to be a footballer, you do not have to be a 90 minutes-onthe-pitch player to make an impact in football. You can love the sport and still be a power broker and the power player behind the scene. You can be a seamstress and be able to sew the jerseys for your national team for instance - the female national team.

You can get into sports science, you can get into the administrative, you can do a lot of things in our football world and the sports world. So, again this is just another call and a cry from Isha Johansen to say to women out there, “If you feel that you can make contributions, do not hesitate.” It is not all about being a man anymore.

You can actually make contributions to making this sport grow and also make a statement for women.

So, I think that I cannot pre-empt destiny, I can only do what I am able to do now. At this point in time a lot of people are asking, “Now that there is a new executive, a new order, and a new governance structure in CAF, what are you going to do?” And rightly, you should be asking those questions because now that the whole euphoria is over or should be over-it certainly is for me-I am the first female executive member in CAF - what am I going to do about it? I am going to make the voices of womenfolk to be heard. I am going to promote women’s football in Africa.

I am going to make women’s football in Africa and around the world to be heard. I am going to make sure that we do not just have two or three token names at the World Cup - Ivory coast, Nigeria, Ghana.

We have to give opportunities to other countries. It means developing them now at this stage and encouraging them. So, the future is bright and exciting.

I would like all women around the world and men who have been extremely supportive of women like us to come on board and let us promote football and rebrand the continent through football.

You have very ambitious plans and have certainly been through a lot of different experiences ranging from the triumphant to the traumatic – someone like you needs a strong support system

Gosh! You know there are two types of people who have been supporting the Isha movement.

Cross section of guests

There are those who have been very vocal and there have been-like a good friend of mine said-the silent supporters. I personally I do not believe that anybody should be quiet or silent if you are passionate about somebody or about a movement, or about a vision.

Why be silent about it? Be very vocal.

But I want to thank those silent supporters. However, there have been some people in my life that have been there for me through the highs and the lows, and the very lows.

Of course my guru in all of these has been Chief Dele Momodu whom I have known for 20 years or so. And I met this man when he was at his lowest depth and the inspiration that I took from him has stood the test of time because he had some very difficult times. I met him when he was actually on the run, and there was a prize placed on his head, dead or alive literally, and that was when I met him.

He had nothing, and from nothing he rose to greatness. I do not need to talk about who Chief Dele Momodu is, everybody knows. So, I love him to bits and I want to thank him for being with me throughout, even though he is like thousands of miles away. I will like to thank my husband. I feel that I am the luckiest woman alive. I am luckier than Victoria Beckham. I certainly am.

My husband Arne has just been the rock of all rocks. How this man has been able to put up with all I have had to go through and what I put him through is just unbelievable. In spite of all, he has always believed in me from the first day that he set eyes on me. And let me say this, he actually first set eyes on me in an OVATION magazine. He had never met me prior but in 1999, that long ago there was an OVATION coverage of Sierra Leone during our war or just after the war. The ECOMOG team was here and I brought OVATION with Chief Dele Momodu and another friend of his called Chief Tony Chinyere.

It was Chief Tony who showed him a picture of me in the magazine and he enquired about me, and Chief Tony went on about me and he asked him to please invite me to dinner if I was in the country. Of course I am here now as Mrs. Johansen and the story goes on and on.

He has simply been an amazing person and I pray that we live to see many strong loving years together and that I can make him the proud woman that he envisioned me to be when he met me some 15 years ago. I thank my son, who is now 21.

The poor kid has had to endure a lot but he has always believed in his mother’s strength and his mother’s love and he has been supportive. I thank my

Dr. (Mrs.) Nana Pratt, Dr. Nemata Majeks-Walles & Mrs. Isha Johanson

R-l Adegbite Adekoya, Cecil & Adebayo Jones (3rd from right) with guests

Romeo & friends

Cecil with Sierra Leonean Models

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Garby, Jumoke, Toyin, Enitan, Victoria Micheal, Cecil, Adebayo Jones & Bolarinwa

parents who are still alive, and I thank God for giving me the parents that I have who instilled the values that I have today.

I did not just pick up values of integrity and morals and resilience and been true to one’s self just off the street. It was embedded in me by my parents and that is the home that I come from and they are still alive, and thank God they are alive to see what they brought up. I thank God for them and I bless them and I pray they live to see me rise even more.

I have my family, my brothers and sisters and I have some great wonderful friends and I hate having to say thank you because I know that I miss out names. You know, we are talking about Isha Johansen as a brand but what about the Isha that people have not seen down in the dumps and at the lowest ebb-when I was suicidal, very depressed.

My friend, Memuna Forna has provided strong support in those times.

Can you share a moment like that and how you were able to pull through

I do remember when things got so bad and it was a down time and I thought maybe it was time to pack it in. Memuna and I had a bottle of Champagne and lunch and she said to tell her about what was going on and I just poured out my heart to her. She told me, “You are not going to give it up. Just give it another shot. Let us just give it a try from another angle and speak to people.

Do not keep speaking to the people who do not want to hear you. Let us take another route.” And honestly, I cannot thank her enough. She actually gave me the strength to start again and take it from another route.

She demanded that I not feel sorry for myself but just speak out - and I did that, and I think I got the opening to be heard.

So, I love Memuna to bits. I do not consider her to be a friend. She is a sister and a life saver. I have girlfriends like Jumoke Oshodi-who are there for me in those wee hours when I have those “I need a massage, I need my feet to be massaged, I need my brain to be massaged, I need my fingers massaged” type of requests. I am not shy or embarrassed to say I have had these real downsides where I felt like I would not be able to see the next day.

The stress has been so intense that I feel like I would not live to see the next day. Women like Jumoke,

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Jasmine, Amy, Tumbia are the immediate people that I run to, that I cry to. I really need to thank these people, my staff, my cook, my gardener, really dark times where it is men that come to try to revive me, to bring me back up again.

I want to use this global platform and I am not shy to thank these people; my drivers who come in, they take me down to the hospital to get me back on track again when I have this severe panic attack because of stress.

What could have caused you so much stress, so much you get to breaking point

Stress because I simply want to see Sierra Leone back on track again with good governance and integrity.

I do not want to see the country being up for sale for the benefit of one individual or few individuals.

I do not mind Sierra Leone been up for sale, but let it be up for sale for all and not for just a select few.

I thank men like Abubakkar Conteh who has taken the kind of abuse you have never heard in your life on social media. I thank my own boys at FC Johansen, the FA, few people in the FA like my Secretary General Chris Kamara. I also love Amaju Pinnick, the FA president for Nigeria. We clicked because I think he was taking a solid beating from his Minister of Sports as I was, so I guess we clicked immediately.

The Ghana FA President, the Liberia FA President and all the FA President in Africa who fell in love with me and my passion for football, governance and integrity and what I want to bring-I thank them all.

The past FIFA President, Sepp Blatter-say what you may about him-he loved my passion and my drive and he actually gave me the platform for the Power Play initiative. Current FIFA President, Gianni Infantino is just an amazing pioneer.

The current Secretary General of FIFA, Fatma Samoura calls me her little sister and I certainly am. She is a great woman-a great inspiration to all women and to football. So, there are a lot of people to thank and for those I have not mentioned I hope they do not feel offended but like I said, a lot of silent supporters and a lot of very vocal ones and you guys here and I appreciate OVATION here; AY who just left again-we clicked instantly. I only met him ten days ago and he was here doing his thing for me, celebrating me and this is genuine passion to support and I like that.

Recently, Victoria Michaels, the Ghanaian supermodel, who came and performed here all the night asking for nothing but giving so much.And I can tell you that we are going to hear and see a lot of her in football even though she is a model but she is just absolutely fantastic.

You’re an avid supporter of Chelsea Football Club of London

It simply had to be Chelsea. I have supported Chelsea for about 20 years or more, maybe 25 and I will tell you why. It is because while growing up in England and going to school, that was where we all converged at Chelsea on Kings Road. And so I knew no other club.

Fans of Liverpool and both Manchester clubs are too noisy for me for goodness sake.

They are braggers. They make too much noise and I do not subscribe to the noise. I subscribe to performers and that is what we do best at Chelsea. I have a soft spot for Arsenal though and the reason is that I see FC Johansen as an Arsenal-type club. We have young players and we subscribe to developing youth players.

We do not go for the big names, we do not go for the older players, and we actually would like the prize, the trophy at the end of the day, but it is all about youth empowerment, growth, and that is FC Johansen and to me that is Arsenal.

I do not think a lot of Arsenal supporters would subscribe to that (laughs) so they would probably turn off the screen now listening to me because they need the trophies right now. But Arsenal is my second favourite and I think they are a great side, they produce some fantastic young players. I love to watch them play all the time. Giroud is my favourite. Mesut Ozil, yes may be he is up and down, but I have been trailing him from his World Cup debut to going to Real Madrid and coming to Arsenal, I love that kid. And of course in Europe, it has got to be Real Madrid simply because FC Johansen in 2009 actually got to go and play in Real Madrid so there is a special connection there. And of course, there is Rolando there-so who cannot but love Christian Rolando wherever he is playing?

Who is your favourite Chelsea player

Nay, nay, nay, you put me on the spot! Okay! For the Nigerians, let me choose Mikel first. I love Drogba, Essien, Kalou, my lovely Belgian, Hazard, Lampard as well. I loved Mata and Anelka as well.

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CHIEF (MRS.)

KOFOWOROLA

ADEBUTU BECOMES

OTUN YEYE OGE OF LAGOS

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Chief (Mrs.) Kofoworola Adebutu

Sir Kessington Adebutu & wife, Chief (Mrs.) Kofoworola Adebutu

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Olori Titilola Akiolu, Olori Fadeke Akiolu, Olori Olanike Akiolu with Olori Kudirat Akiolu

Story: Bamidele Salako Photo: Ken Ehimen & Funmi Adeyemi

season of unlimited celebration in the home of billionaire businessman and boss of gaming company, Premier Lotto otherwise known as Baba Ijebu, Sir (Dr.) Kessington Adebukunola Adebutu, which began with the 40th birthday of his gorgeous wife, Chief (Mrs.) Kofoworola Adebutu, climaxed just two weeks later when she was installed as the Otun Yeye Oge of Lagos.

Singled out by HRH The Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu for the royal honour reserved exclusively for leading and influential society women who are style icons and who have a track record of contributions to societal development, Chief Kofoworola becomes the deputy of the Yeye Oge of Lagos, Chief Mrs. Opral

Benson.

The new Otun Yeye Oge of Lagos will also combine her new traditional title with the Otun Yeye Oge of Remoland title that was bestowed on her by the Late Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba Michael Sonariwo in 2009. The elegant and amiable woman of style and substance also holds the title of Yeye Oge of Iperuland, bestowed by HRH Oba Adeleke Idowu Basibo Odoru V – the Alaperu of Iperu.

On the day of her investiture, all roads led to Iga Idunganran - the Official Residence of the Oba of Lagos, situated on Lagos Island. A feeling of festivity was in the air as the Chief Mrs. Kofoworola, her loving family, friends and well-wishers arrived at the venue which was already prepped for the

historic occasion.

Chief Mrs. Kofoworola was ensconced in a stylish, fullyembellished white apparel reflective of the grandeur of the title being bestowed upon her. She accessorised the classy dress with belly-length bead complemented with some of the finest jewellery and shoes that money can buy.

She effortlessly commanded the attention of everyone there. She and her husband and their kids were welcomed into the venue by drummers and traditional praise singers.

All the guests settled within the premises, the head of the white cap chiefs, Chief Adekunle Odufuwa, rose and signalled the commencement of the ceremony.

Then, the host, Oba Akiolu eulogised Chief Mrs. Kofoworola describing her as well deserving of the honour. “Kofo is well deserving of this honour. She is a humanitarian who has contributed immensely to societal development which is why she has been deemed worthy of this esteemed title,” said the monarch. He then prayed for strength and guidance to excel her new role as Otun Yeye Oge of Lagos.

Oba Akiolu then proceeded with the installation rites as Chief (Mrs.) Kofoworola knelt before him. Holding a calabash filled with water in his left hand and assisted by Chief Odufuwa, he proclaimed blessings on her, sprinkling some of the water over the celebrant and on the floor. He then fed her with kola and ground pepper, both symbolising stability and favour.

That aspect of the ceremony concluded, the Father of the Day, Oba Fatai Aremu Aromire, the Ojora of Lagos, paid tribute to Chief Mrs. Kofoworola describing her as a noble woman whose dedication, hard work

Alhaja Binta Tinubu, Sir Kessington Adebutu, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, celebrant & Prince Samuel Adedoyin

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Oba Riliwan Akiolu & his white-cap chiefs performing the traditional rites of Mrs. Kofoworola Adebutu

Oba Riliwan Akiolu, white-cap chiefs, Mrs. Bisi Edionseri with Alhaja Binta Tinubu performing the traditional rites of Mrs. Kofoworola Adebutu

Chief (Mrs.) Kofoworola Adebutu

Chief (Mrs.) Kofoworola Adebutu during her caping rites

Chief (Mrs.) Kofoworola Adebutu being decorated

Oba Akiolu showering prayers on for Chief (Mrs.) Kofoworola Adebutu

Oba Akiolu during his prayer for Mrs. Kofoworola Adebutu

Mrs. Bola Obasanjo with Mrs. Shade Okoya

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Alhaji Rasaq Okoya with Justice Adesola Oguntade (Rtd)

Aremo Segun Oniru with Prince Akinshiku

Oba Sejiro James & his wife, Olori Jaiyeola James

Sen. Olorunimbe Mamora, Sir Kessington Adebutu, Chief Bode George & his wife, Roli

Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed & his wife

Sen. Florence Ita-Giwa, Hajia Bola Shagaya with Hajia Abah Folawiyo

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Sen. Olorunimbe Mamora, Oba Saheed Elegushi with Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed

Mrs. Bolanle Sobajo (left)

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Sir Kessington Adebutu & his wife, Chief (Mrs.) Kofoworola Adebutu

Chief (Mrs.) Kofoworola Adebutu

Chief (Mrs.) Bisi Abiola

Alara of Ilara, Oba S.A Adeyiga

Olorogun Sunny Kuku

Hon. Ladi Adebutu

Sir Olu Okeowo

Aare Bashir Fakorede

Chief (Mrs. ) Bisi Edionseri with Mrs. Shade Okoya

Yeye Are Bobagbode of Lagos, Alahaja Shrifat Arike Olugbode

Aladesoyin of Noforija Kingdom, HRH Oba Ogunlaja Babatunde

Ojora of Ijora Land, HRM Oba F.O Aremu Aromire

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Mr. Fola Adeola in a conversation with Oba of Lagos, HRM Oba Rilwan Akiolu

Chief (Mrs.) Kofoworola Adebutu & her children

The Iya Oloja General of Lagos, Chief (Mrs.) Iyabo Tinubu-Ojo with Mrs. Ijeoma Ubosi

Alhaja Funmbi Ogunnoiki with Alhaja Fadekemi Ogunnoiki

Adekunle Owulade, Onakoya B.Y & Passport Control Officer, Ikoyi Passport Office, Mr. Segun Adegoke

Alaja Idiat O. Aliu & Mrs. Pat Uyi Erhahon

Hon. Dele Ogunaike & Mrs. Adelarin Balogun

and service to humanity had brought her thus far. The king prayed that she would flourish in her new role and prosper in all her undertakings.

Chairman of Doyin Group of Companies, Prince Samuel Adedoyin remarked that the title being conferred was for society leaders who are style icons-qualities which the honouree symbolised perfectly.

The tributes out of the way, the time everyone had been waiting for finally arrived as Oba Akiolu crowned Chief Koworola as the Otun Yeye Oge of Lagos, adorning her with the beads and staff of her office, bringing loud cheers.

The Adebutus then hosted their friends to a grand reception at

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Landmark Events Centre in Oniru. Here, guests were treated like royalty dining and wining and enjoying the musical artistry of Fuji legend, K1 De Ultimate, who stole the show here, thrilling Chief Kofoworola and her jolly good friends through the night.

Influential friends of the Adebutus who turned up to support one of their own included, Nigeria’s Minister of Information, Alh. Lai Mohammed; billionaire industrialist, Aare Rasaq Okoya and wife, Shade Okoya; Justice George Oguntade (Rtd.), Hajia Bola Shagaya, Erelu Abiola Dosunmu, Oba Saheed Elegushi, Princes Adebisi Sarah Sosan, Prince. Bisi Olatilo, and many more.

Olori Olanike Adenuga, Jokotade Adeusi with Alhaja Kubura Hassan

Mr. Tolu Ogunkoya & Mr. Chris Ubosi

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Celebrant with white Cap Chiefs

Hon. Iyabo Salako & Hon. Tope Sorinola

Princess Ronke Joseph & Chief (Mrs.) Temidayo Oriola

White cap chief, Sir Kessington Adebutu, Oba of Lagos, HRM Oba Riliwanu Akinlolu & Chief ( Mrs.) Sade Okoya

Mrs. Adebisi Edosere & Shade Grillo

Idowu Akinsanya & Jumoke Ogunfunwa

Mojibade Yisa & Ikeade Adegbesan

Nwanne Nnuruka, Mrs. Ijeoma Ubosi & Mrs. Magaret Peter-Obi

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DR. BUKKY BELLO JAIYESIMI

D

CELEBRATES 40

electable Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, Pan-Africanist and international award recipient, Dr. Bukky Bello Jaiyesimi had every cause to thank God as she hosted a classy party to celebrate her 40th birthday.

The celebration train cruised into motion with a praise and worship concert titled “And I worship him� at the Lily Gate Hotel, Lekki, Lagos.

It was a soulful and spirit-lifting session and like the many guests that turned up, the celebrant was in an

angelic figure-hugging white dress.

Later with the celebrant transforming to a gorgeous Lady in Red, there was a proper party which was an evening of tributes, wining and dining.

Those in attendance included Lord Mayor Akinpelu, Captain Jide Adebayo, Kemi Adebayo, Barr. Taiwo Adeoluwa, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Hon. Kwabena Appiah Pinkra, Catherine Appiah Pinkra, Toks Bello, Mike Dada, Dr. Clem Idigo, Dr Maria Idigo and Hon. HailMary Aipoh.

The celebrant

Princess Olayemi, Toyin Jeo Bassey, Dr. Bukky, Tosin & friend

Pastor Esse, Dr. Bukky & Rev. Jane Pela Dr. Bukky, Dupe & Ach. Ogunkale

Dr. Bukky & Dcn Ralph

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Kemi, Seun, Dr. Bukky & Jide

Babatunde, Seun, Dr. Bukky & Sade

Kayode Adeshoga; Senior Pastor, The Gracious Church

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Emmanuel Akinwunmi

Hon. HailMary Aipoh with celebrant

Torera Olayemi, Sola Onanubi Thompson &Toyin Olayemi

Mandy & April

Barr. Taiwo Adeoluwa, Dr Bukky, Seun & Bayo Adeyemi

Seun, Dr. Bukky & friends from the Gracious Church

Dr. Bukky & Honorable & Mrs. Kwabena Appiah Pinkra

Olumide, Seun, Dr Bukky & Sherry

Remi, Seun, Dr. Bukky & Tolu

Mum, Seun, Dr Bukky & Tokunbo

Mayor Akinpelu, Mike Dada & Senator Ojudu

Alhaji Rasak Olanrewaju (Lamex) with Lord Mayor Akinpelu

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THE GLAMOUR OF

THE 2017 UBA CEO AWARDS Story: Bamidele Salako Photo: Segun Lawal

UBA Executives with Award Recipients

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GMD/CEO, Kennedy Uzoka, with wife Lottana

A

rguably the most anticipated and classiest corporate party of the year in Nigeria, the 2017 edition of the annual UBA CEO Awards did not cease to thrill, offering many fun and unforgettable moments for the 68-year old bank’s board, management, and staff from its 19 African country-network as well as its esteemed customers.

The awards have become a fixture in Nigeria’s annual corporate sector calendar providing a celebratory platform for one of Africa’s financial powerhouses to recognise and reward the sterling contributions of its employees who have strived to implement the Bank’s core values of enterprise, excellence and execution in keeping with the company’s commitment to excellence in customer service.

It was at the Expo Centre of the prestigious Eko Hotel and Suites that the exciting evening of highclass fashion, sensational theatrical, dance and musical performances, and gourmet cuisines unfolded. The walkway leading into the event venue was a colourful corporate catwalk for guests and the bank’s jolly staff to strut their stunning dinner apparels – while the UBA red brand logo and colour dominated the venue’s backdrop.

The inaugural edition held in 2008 with an aim to celebrate outstanding performance within the UBA pan-African family, that showcases excellence, significant innovation and service in key areas of the Group’s business. This 2017 instalment had an even greater significance as prior

Chairman, UBA, Tony Elumelu & wife, Dr. Awele

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Deputy Managing Director UBA, Victor Osadolor with wife, Aderonke

Bill Odum with wife

Non Executive Director UBA, Chief Kola Jamodu

Non Executive Director, UBA, Olumide Adekunle

Non Executive Director, UBA, Mrs. Onari Duke

Peter Elumelu with wife, Margaret

Imediate Past Chairman, Amb. Joe Keshi

Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, Executive Vice Chairman of Sifax Group

Former Chairman, UBA, Ferdinard Alabraba

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Chairman, UBA Board of Directors, Tony Elumelu

Publisher, Vanguard, Uncle Sam Amuka & Former Governor, Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba

GMD,CEO, UBA, Kennedy Uzoka & Deputy Managing Director, Victor Osadolor

Regional Director, UBA Pamela Shodipo

Honorable & Mrs. Femi Gbajabiamila

MD,CEO Transcorp Hilton, Valentine Ozigbo

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Regional Director, UBA, Emem Usoro & Raliat Oyetunde

MD,CEO, United Capital Toyin Sanni

Musician, Adekunle Gold & Big Brother Africa Housemate, Kemen

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Ibrahim Ogbanago, UBA, Security guard who returned customer’s lost $10,000

to the awards, the bank had only just promoted 3000 of its staff members amid recession, an industry first that reinforced the bank’s leadership status within its industry. The feat also illustrated their ‘employeesatisfaction equals customer-satisfaction’ ethos which has formed the bedrock of the bank’s successes in recent years resulting in its appreciation of its employees’ contributions and their service delivery to customers.

In fact, in the build-up to the awards ceremony the bank announced N385 billion earnings for 2016, an impressive 22% growth over performance in 2015 and also grew profit before tax by 32% to N90.1 billion. Its commitment to its broader pan-African network was reflected in a series of awards, including five ‘Bank of The Year’ awards for Gabon, Congo-Brazzaville, Senegal, Cameroon and Chad at the annual Bankers Award in London and the 2016 EMEA Finance Banking Awards by leading financial publication EMEA Finance Magazine. All of these feats further underscored UBA’s entrenched culture of customer service driven by high employee engagement and satisfaction. They were successes that indeed called for celebration.

At the event, awards were given in 10 categories with the bank’s GMD, Kennedy Uzoka saying “We recognise and appreciate that there are so many staff members who have demonstrated aspects of each of our core values, but we have had to single out the very best. We celebrate our lions and lionesses who used their ingenuity and creativity, as well as their industry experience and passion, to work tirelessly to deliver excellent service to our customers and to continue to achieve exceptional results within the Group.”

There were winners who had excelled in innovation and execution across Africa. There were also those who were rewarded for their entrepreneurial

Liadi Ayoku, Award Recipient,Emeke Iweriebor & Oliver Alawuba

abilities. The CEO of UBA Ghana, Mrs Abiola Bawuah was chosen in the special award category of “Business Leader who defied all odds and opened up new opportunities for the Bank”. Mrs Bawuah was described by the GMD as ‘a relentless CEO who breaks barriers, extends the horizon and motivates, inspires and encourages others.’

The crown award went to Ibrahim Ogbanagbo, the UBA security staff at the UBA Oba Akran branch in Lagos, who found $10,000 cash belonging to a customer and returned it to the customer. Ogbanagbo talked about how the $10,000 could have changed his life and how he could have taken it, but how his upbringing, as well as UBA’s value and focus on integrity would never have allowed him to do so. He was given the Excellence Award for his display of honesty and integrity.

The Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu went on stage to congratulate Ogbanagbo personally, noting that Ogbanagbo exemplified someone who is committed to the hallmarks of excellence in the execution of his duties.

“This is an example to us all. How anyone, no matter their position in our Group can distinguish themselves and set an example. Today, we stand here to celebrate a junior UBA staff member, who returned money that was misplaced and who through this action, gained much more than he could ever have imagined.

As a leading pan-African bank, this is what we stand for and we commend Ibrahim Ogbonagbo for living the principle of integrity,” Mr. Elumelu said.

Mr Ogbonagbo was not only recognized and awarded the 2017 CEO Excellence Award, but he managed to win himself many high-profile fans on the night. He received a standing ovation, as well as rewards from dignitaries in the audience who came on stage to acknowledge him. The Governor of Adamawa

State, Alhaji Jibrilla Bindow, pledged the sum of $5,000 while a personal commitment of $10,000 was also made by the Governor of Bauchi state, Alhaji Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar. The Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu said that Ogbanagbo’s name would be announced at the floor of the Senate the following Tuesday at plenary and that he would also be given the sum of five million naira by the Senate.

The awards night was themed “The Journey of UBA”, and was animated by an African entertainment concept, that traversed the length and breadth of Africa with performances from group and musical stars from across the African continent, highlighting UBA’S panAfrican vision. The show opened with an electrifying rendition of the national anthem by Nigerian R&B darling, Dare Art-Alade. Guests were also treated to pulsating musical performances by King Sunny Ade, Dr. Sid, Kcee the Limpopo crooner, Adekunle Gold, Flavour and P-Square. A theatrical production eponymously named, “The Lion’s Tale”, created by Abiola Segun William’s Party People, stole hearts while Congolese superstar, Awilo Logomba threw the venue into a wild frenzy with his famous hit tracks and dance movements.

The event was graced by Governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar; Governor of Adamawa State, Alhaji Jibrilla Bindow; Deputy Senate President, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu; GMD/CEO, UBA Plc, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka; Group Chairman, UBA Plc, Mr. Tony Elumelu and several other illustrious industry players, diplomats, ministers and key influencers in Nigeria, as well as the CEOs and Board Chairmen of the 19 African countries in which UBA operates.

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GMD,CEO, Kennedy Uzoka, with wife, Lottana & Chairman, UBA, Tony Elumelu & wife, Awele

Deputy Managing Director, Victor Osadolor, his wife Aderonke, Chairman, UBA, Tony Elumelu & wife, Awele

Governor Adamawa, Umaru Jubrilla Bindow, Chairman, UBA,Tony Eumelu & Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekwerenmadu

Frank Nweke Jnr, Chairman, UBA, Tony Elumelu& Governor Mohammed Abdulahi Abubakar

Publisher, Leadership Newspaper, Sam Isa Isiah & Governor Mohammed Abdulahi Abubakar

Senator Gbenga Ashafa & Chairman, UBA, Tony Elumelu

Mr. Atunyota Akpobome & wife, Mary

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Mr. Tony Elumelu,Mr.& Mrs. Abdul-razaq with a guest

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GLORIOUS EXIT OF

MRS. SARAH OLOWOPOROKU E

Story: Bamidele Salako Photo: Ken Ehimen

ven though the loss of any loved one can be quite overwhelming and tough to take, there is a particularly debilitating feeling that accompanies the passing of a mother. This is perhaps so because of the unique and incomparable bond that mothers share with their children. It was that inexplicable feeling of despair that the family of late Madam Sarah Adeola Ayinke Olowoporoku (nee Odumuyiwa) had to grapple with when their lovely matriarch passed away recently.

Madam Sarah was a rallying point for her entire family, particularly as she was the sole surviving child of her parents for a long time having lost her only brother, battery merchant and philanthropist, Alhaji Jimoh Ayinde Odumuyiwa in 1968. She also lost her only sister, Mrs. Riyanotu Shodipo, who worked with the defunct NITEL, few years later in the early 70s. Madam Sarah died a nonagenarian, at the full old age of 90, few months short of her 91st birthday.

A resourceful businesswoman, a devout Christian, a tireless altruist, a model parent, and an ardent evangelist of her faith, family members and friends hold very special and fond memories of deceased. Her first child and only daughter, Mrs. Funmilayo Keji Oyebande, whose 70th birthday the deceased witnessed in 2016, in a tribute, wrote: “You lived a good life, knowing and loving God. In fact you regularly burst out praising God, and that gives me confidence that you are together with angels and the elders praising him right now.”

Her son-in-law, Prof. Lekan Oyebade, who fondly calls her his mother-in-love and himself her son-in-love said of her: “On different occasions when Mama lived with us for different timespans, it was clear to me that I did not have a mother-in-law but a mother-in-love.”

Son of the deceased, Ayokunnu Olowoporoku who’s currently the founding Director of Finance and Administration at HSSL Global – Nigeria’s pioneer indigenous hotel management and support services company, wrote: “As my mother, you are irreplaceable. Even in death, I have you written in my heart with an everlasting ink. One cannot come into your presence and not be or leave happy. You taught me about God and the power of prayer. You taught me about generosity, honesty, patience, and steadfastness…I won’t forget you and I know you won’t forget me also.” Several other tributes in the official burial programme underscored Madam Olowoporoku’s impact and the strong values she upheld and which she imbibed in her children and loved ones.

The Olowoporoku family

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Hon. Titilayo Olowoporoku

Rev. (Dr.) T. Adeboje

The Olowoporoku family

Prince (Dr.) Sayo Soyemi

The church choir

Another Choir

Olayemi Olowoporoku, Funmilayo Olowoporoku with Bose Olowoporoku

Olufunso Olowoporoku, Olabisi Adeeko, Titilayo Sonni with Mrs. Mosunmola Olowoporoku

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Mr. P. Soyewo with Mr. Segun Oduneye

The Olowoporoku family

Issue 175 C4_Layout 1 27-Oct-17 10:00 PM Page 10

The Olowoporoku family

The Officiating ministers of God

Mr. & Mrs. Adekunle Adeneye

Mr. & Mrs. Gbenga Fayokun

Mrs. Ani with Mrs. Sodipo

Mrs. Adekemi Bello, Gbemisola Odusola with Patience Ogbu

Mr. & Mrs. Aremu

Mrs. Toyin Edeki with Mrs. Lanre Ayodele

Mrs. K. T. Adesiyan with Mrs. Sotomi

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Hon. Peter Orhotaire with Hon. (Mrs.) Abimbola Am-Marshall

Mrs. Lanre Osunsanya with Mrs. Biola Adekoya

Folorunsho Thomas with Mr. Onasile

Prof. & Mrs. Lekan Oyebande with Mrs. Daniel

Mr. Tunde Quardri with Barr. & Mrs. Olasunkanmi Ameen

Mrs. Ronke Olotu, Mrs. Toyin Olowoporoku with Pastor Biola Adeyoola

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Mr. Segun Agbede, Mr. Ayo Olowoporuku with Mr. Kola Shodipo

Mr. & Mrs. Kunle Balogun

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Princess Gbemi Sijuade

Mr. Joe Onaniyi

Mr. & Mrs. Ayo Olowoporoku

Mr. Ayo Olowoporoku with the PHD students

The KASKAS

Mrs. Sarah Akinyemi with Mrs. Agbede

Mr. G. Osakue, Stella-Rose Osakue with Bisi Efunkoya

Rev. (Mrs.) Funmilayo Oyebande with her guests

Rev. (Mrs.) Funmilayo Oyebande with her guest

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Rev. (Mrs.) Funmilayo Oyebande with Mrs. Toyin Oyefele

Hon. & Mrs. Titilayo Olowoporo, Bashorun Ayinde Sholola with Chief Olabemi

left, Prof. Lekan Oyebande with Mr. Olulana, right

Mr. Yinka Olowoporoku with his friends

Mr. Olusegun Olowoporoku with friend

The Olowoporoku grand children, Wale, Niyi, Moyosore, Damilola, Bukunmi with Kayode

Mrs. Remi Obi with Mrs. Shola Olowoporoku

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Mr. Rogers, Mr. Segun Agbede with Mr. Toyin Okpaise

Mrs. Rogers, Shola with Mrs. Nike Coker

Mrs. Toyin Olowoporoku, Mr. Ola Onigbanjo with Shade Adams

Mrs. Toyin Olowoporoku (middle) with friends

The well-loved and highly regarded matriarch was buried in her hometown of Ago-Iwoye in Ogun State, Southwest Nigeria. A wake and a thanksgiving service were held on two consecutive days at the First Baptist Church on Ololo Street, Ago-Iwoye where friends and family came to pay their last respect in their numbers.

A colourful reception was also convened to celebrate her life at Adrad Multipurpose Events Centre, Obafemi Awolowo Road, Ago-Iwoye. It was a carnival-like celebration that was befitting for the memory of such a great woman. Madam Sarah was born on June 12, 1926 as Sarata Ayinke Adeola to the family of Late Pa Disu Odumuyiwa and Late Mama Osenotu Odumuyiwa, both of Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State. She was the second of three children. Her parents were devout Muslims. Her father was a produce merchant, trading between the old Western Region of Nigeria and Lagos while her mother was a petty trader.

She lived her early adult life in the Onigbongbo

area of Lagos. It was during this period that she met Mr. Charles Olusoji Madarikan with whom she had her first and only daughter-Reverend (Mrs.) Funmilayo Keji Oyebande-although their union did not last long.

Mama arrived in Ibadan in 1948. It was here that she met her future husband, Liasu Folorunso Olowoporoku, a young handsome man who had just returned from fighting as a soldier in the Second World War on the British side in India but was then working as a civil servant in the Ministry of Works under the government of the old Western Region. They tied the nuptial knot on December 12, 1949. Their union produced four boys – Titilayo, Ayokunnu, Olayinka and Olusegun. Mama was renowned for been industrious and resourceful. In the early years, she owned a shop at Dugbe Market where she was at 9am daily without fail in spite of her heavily choked early morning routines of evangelism and preparing her children for school. Her business took an upswing when she ventured into small scale manufacturing of a

variety of jewelleries-earrings, bangles, necklaces, chokers and many more. She would later own a small factory where she engaged workers who she trained on the processes. Her children also worked with her when not in school. She became so prosperous that she bought a Toyota Corolla for taxi business brand new with cash. She also built a house in the Challenge area of Ibadan in Oyo State.

Having enjoyed good care and affectionate love from all her children, in-laws, grandchildren and relatives, her energy began to wane in the last year of her life. She had experienced a down moment when she lost her beloved husband in 2013. Also, for years, she suffered from memory loss but she amazingly never forgot her prayer and praise lines. She never mixed up or forgot all her songs and verses. Madam Sarah is survived by all her five children-who are all successful in their chosen fields. She is also survived by 17 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

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SENATOR DAISY

DANJUMA’S CLASSY 65TH BIRTHDAY PARTY

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Michael Effiong Photo: Adekoya Adegbite, Ken Ehimen & Segun Lawal

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hen the living legend, Stevie Wonder sang his monstrous hit “Isn’t She lovely” with lyrics that read: Isn't she lovely, Isn't she wonderful, Isn't she precious, Less than one minute old", he in fact encapsulated the way everyone’s darling, amiable Senator Daisy Danjuma looked on her 65th birthday.

She was simply dazzling and stunning, and did not look any inch close to 65 as she and her husband, the respected Officer and

gentleman, General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (Rtd) hosted the cream of Nigerian society to an exclusive birthday dinner.

In deed when people refer to a lady as aging gracefully, it will be a disservice to look further than the evening’s star attraction: Daisy Danjuma Held at Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, it was not your typical, Lagos Owambe, party that is usually packed with people, full of sound and fury but little substance. This was a classy event filled with heavyweights.

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THE SUPERB DECOR BY NEWTON & DAVID

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COCKTAILS

Otunba Niyi Adebayo & his wife, Mrs. Angela Adebayo

Mr. Tony Elumelu & his wife, Dr. (Mrs.) Awele Elumelu

Femi Otedola & Sam Iwuajoku

Mrs. Martha Najomo

Stella Musa & Pauline Igbanor

Erelu Abiola Dosunmu

Chief & Mrs. Sunny Asemota

Greg Unaseru & wife

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Rt. Revd Akinrelu Johnson & Mrs. Dupe Sagoe

Mrs. Ettie Ambah

Otunba Funsho Lawal

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Royal Father, Musa Danjuma & Gen. T.Y. Danjuma (Rtd)

General Danjuma with Oba of Lagos, HRM Rilwan Akiolu

Dr. Ibe Kachikwu & wife, Governor Ibikunle Amosun & wife with Mr. Musa Danjuma

Chief Chris Ogunbanjo, General TY Danjuma (Rtd.) & Professor Olu Akinkugbe

Prince Nduka Obaigbena, Sam Iwuajoku, Sen. Daisy Danjuma, Barr. Theresa Ikimi & Femi Otedola

Uncle Sam Amuka-Pemu, Bashorun Dele Momodu & Dr. Reuben Abati

Gen. TY Danjuma (Rtd), Mr Kennedy Uzoka, Mr. Tony Elumelu, Sen. Daisy Danjuma & Dr. Awele Elumelu

Captain Hosa Okunbo, Terry Waya & Musa Danjuma

From serving to former governors, serving to former Ministers, serving to former Senators, top bankers, Forbes-listed billionaires to top politicians plus a sprinkle of royalty-it was an A-list party like no other.

Perhaps because of the high taste of the celebrant, the venue was luxuriously breath-taking. it was stylishly transformed by Newton & David whose arrangement of fruits and roses not only aroused the senses but was pleasing to the eyes.

From all indications, the celebrant and members of her organising team which included, Chief (Mrs.) Sena Anthony wanted it to be an exciting, fun night to remember and thus speeches were reduced to the

minimum and guests soaked in the memorable occasion where choice drinks, champagnes and food flowed freely till the wee hours of the morning.

In fact, there was no Master of Ceremonies, as the band played seamlessly throughout. The only other performer that wonderful night was DJ Cuppy. She was at her creative best and held the audience, which included her billionaire father, Mr. Femi Otedola, spell bound for about an hour.

Of course, a few minutes were dedicated to speeches. Speaker after speaker poured encomiums on the celebrant. The opening speech was from Mrs. Joy Mune who represented the First Lady, Mrs Aisha Buhari.

Mrs. Buhari who referred to the celebrant as “Aunty Daisy�, expressed her deep thanks for the love and support the Buharis had enjoyed from the Danjumas. She revealed that the celebrant was a wonderful woman who has a very beautiful heart. She went further to present a birthday cake which was cut by the celebrant flanked by her dearest and closest.

Others who spoke were her elder brother, Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, Governor of Oyo State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Governor of Ogun State, Senator Olorunimbe Mamora and her daughter, Saraya who spoke on behalf of the children: Osagie, Isirame, Yuki, Ivie.

The toast was proposed by Ogun State First Lady,

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Chief Mike Inegbese (INEH-MIC Autos) & wife, Mary with Chief Eke Ojukwu (Ekeson) & wife

Aremo Olusegun Osoba, Governor Abiola Ajimobi, Senator Olorunimbe Mamora & Beere Derin Osoba

General TY Danjuma (Rtd), Governor Ajimobi, Sen. Daisy Danjuma & Mrs. Florence Ajimobi

Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Demola Seriki, Dr. Oba Otudeko, Tony Elumelu & Folake St. Matthew-Daniel

Tunde Ayeni & wife

Prince Bisi Olatilo & Otunba Funsho Lawal

Chief (Mrs.) Sena Anthony, Princess Serah Adebisi Sosan & Chief (Mrs.) Ireti Asemota

Justice Shola Oguntade (Rtd) & wife, Modupe, celebrant & Chief (Mrs.) Sena Anthony

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Mrs. Olufunso Amosun, Mrs. Folorunso Alakija, Chief (Mrs.) Sena Anthony, Gov. Ibikunle Amosun & Ruth Osime

Amb. Musiliu Obanikoro, Tunde Ayeni & wife with Captain Hosa Okunbo

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Femi Otedola, Tunde Ayeni, Dr. Reuben Abati, Bashorun Dele Momodu, Ruth Osime, Greg Uanseru & Capt. Hosa Okunbo

Sen. Daisy Danjuma with Aremo Segun Osoba

Saraya Danjuma & uncle

Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Erelu Angel Adebayo & Musa Danjuma

Celebrant & son with wife

Mrs. Joy Mune, Sen. Daisy Danjuma, Dumo Lulu-Briggs & Mrs. Martha Najomo

Celebrant & son

Olori Ladun Sijuwade (M) with Mrs. Folake St. Matthew Daniel & friend

Chief Mike Inegbese, Femi Otedola, Prince Segun Oniru & Otunba Niyi Adebayo

Mrs. Olufunso Amosun who described the Senator Daisy as enchanting, beautiful and dazzling. She prayed God to bless the celebrant with good health while also enabling her enjoy the fruits from her children. She also wished the celebrant and her husband continued love and friendship As a perfect host, the celebrant was on her feet most of time welcoming guests and exchanging pleasantries, and when it was dancing time, she really rocked like there was no tomorrow.

Along with many others, including OVATION Publisher, Bashorun Dele

Momodu, she danced till late into the night.No doubt with was a very enjoyable evening.

Senator Daisy Danjuma who read Law at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria worked at various places including becoming Company Secretary/Legal Adviser of Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) before going into private practice.

With about 40 years post-call experience, she is the Executive Vice Chairman of the family-owned South Atlantic Petroleum (SAPETRO), an indigenous oil and gas exploration and production company.

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Segun Adebowale & Michael Effiong

Gen. TY. Danjuma (Rtd) & guests

Gen. TY Danjuma (Rtd) with guests

Chief Kenny Martins & Francis Ogboro

Prince Nduka Obaigbena, Captain Hosa Okunbo & Bashorun Dele Momodu

Senator Daisy Danjuma & Hajia Bola Shagaya

Senator Daisy Danjuma& Mrs Funmi Goka

Royal Father, Musa Danjuma with Sen & Mrs. Ehigie Uzamere

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From 2nd left: Sen. Daisy Danjuma with Prof. Osato Giwa-Osagie

Saraya Danjuma (2nd right) with guests

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Sen. Florence Ita-Giwa, Hajia Abah Folawiyo & Hajia Bola Shagaya

Sen. Florence Ita-Giwa, Celebrant & Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija

Mrs. Modupe Jemibewon, Tunde Ayeni, Hajia Bola Shagaya & guest

Gen. TY Danjuma (Rtd), Mrs. Modupe Jemibewon & guests

Adegbenro Adejare, Herbert Wigwe & Capt. Noggie Meggison

Mr. & Mrs. Iyayi Macaulay

Tunde Ayeni, Sen. Musa Adede with Mr. & Mrs. Herbert Wigwe

Justice Olusola Oguntade (Rtd.) & wife, Modupe

Sen. Olorunimbe Mamora with Oba Rilwan Akiolu

Dola Bamgboye & friend

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Bashorun Dele Momodu with celebrant

Bashorun Dele Momodu with Gen. TY Danjuma (Rtd)

H.E Mrs Amina Bello, Bashorun Dele Momodu with Princess Omotade

Bashorun Dele Momodu with Danny Kioupouroglou

Terry Waya, Bashorun Dele Momodu withPrince Segun Oniru

Bashorun Dele Momodu with Femi Otedola

Tony Elumelu, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu & celebrant

Bashorun, Benny Obaze with Mr. Terry Ashimota

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Ehis Okunbo with Bayo Sorunbe (Heavy D)

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Celebrant and wife cutting her birthday cake

Gen. TY Danjuma (Rtd.), celebrant & children

Mrs. Joy Mune, Celebrant with Mrs. Olufunso Amosun

Tony Elumelu with Dr, Oba Otudeko during the toast

Celebrant joyous during the toast

Otunba Funsho Lawal with celebrant

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Mrs. Joy Mune

Sen. Abiola Ajimobi

Governor Ibikunle Amosun

Sen. Florence Ita-Giwa

Sen. Olorunimbe Mamora

Sen. Musa Adede

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Olori Ladun Sijuwade

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Cuppy thrilling guests

Vintage Band

Guests soaking in the fun-filled party

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NOTTINGHILL CARNIVAL, LONDON

LAGOS@50 TAKES EKOPOLITAN EXPERIENCE TO Story: Michael Effiong Photo: Michael Effiong, Michael Tubbs & Lagos State Government

L-r: Producer of Lagos Corner, Ayo Sonaiya, Desmond Elliot, Commissioner of Information & Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, Hon. Habeeb Fasinro, Co-Chair, Lagos@50 & Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information & Strategy, Mr. Fola Adeyemi

Honourable Habeeb Fasinro, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, Ag. Commissioner of Culture & Tourism, Mrs. Adebimpe Akinsola & Senator Dino Melaye

B

Harry Song, Lagos State Commissioner for Information & Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde with Okey Bakassi

rand Lagos got a big boost when the state took its Lagos@50 celebrations again to the popular city of London, United Kingdom for a fun-filled package titled “Love Lagos Weekend”.

The colour, the glamour, the verve, the potentials, the sights and sounds of Lagos State, Nigeria's commercial capital was brought to fore during the period which began with a comedy concert by top comedian, MC Abbey.

Then, the party train moved to Adela Street in West London, where the Nigerian Corner of the Nottinghill Carnival ( now rechristened Lagos Corner) came alive with the EKOpolitan Experience.

Comedians: Klint de Drunk, Asiri, Wale Gates, Woli Arole & Helen Paul

Deji Balogun, Hon. Habeeb Fasinro, Michael Effiong, Jire Anifalaje & Steve Ayorinde

With the Eyo Masquerades thrilling guests and pulsating music wafting from the DJ’s turntable, it was undoubtedly Eko For Show in full flow.

The next day, the Lagos Corner came alive again, this time the entertainment was at its zenith with top artistes and comedians taking turns to deliver first-rate performances. The crowd at the Corner was intimidating!

The Lagos State team, headed by the Commissioner for Information & Strategy, Mr.Steve Ayorinde and Acting Commissioner for Tourism, Arts & Culture, Mrs Adebimpe Akinsola, was on hand to ensure that guests at the event, produced by Ayo Sonaiya’s The RMG

Company, had a fantastic and memorable experience.

As part of the London trip, the Lagos team attended a private meeting with officials of the Financial Times of London and also attended the sold-out Closing Night of SaroThe Musical at the Shaw Theatre, London.

According to Mr. Steve Ayorinde, the Love Lagos Weekend was designed to communicate the Lagos tourism brand initiative to the world. “It is aimed at creating awareness about the activities of the Lagos administration, provide a platform for interaction with Lagos State indigenes and lovers of Lagos State in the Diaspora, while also marketing the state to potential investors and partners.

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Mr. Steve Ayorinde, Femi Kuti, Mrs. Adebimpe Akinsola & Yeni Kuti

Lagos State Team & Nigerian Journalists during the EKOpolitan Experience

Chief Press Secretary, Habib Aruna, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture Mr. Jamiu Adewale Ashimi & Niyi Adeshina, Deputy Editor, The Nation

Eyo Masqurades at the EKOpolitan Experience

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Eyo Masqurade with a foreign guest at the EKOpolitan Experience

Eyo Masquerades at the EKOpolitan Experience

Police woman Adesoji Oluwasegun & DJ Abass

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Wale Gates, Yaw & Desmond Elliot

Production Team: Timi Adegbite, DJ Abass, DJ Whateva, Producer Ayo Shonaiya & Andrew Okocha

Comedians: Yaw, Helen Paul, Seyi Brown & MC Abbey

MC Adeshope, Ag. Commissioner for Tourism, Arts & Culture, Mrs Adebimpe Akinsola, Desmond Elliot, Special Adviser (Information & Strategy), Mr. Idowu Ajanaku & Mr Deji Balogun.

Helen Paul entertaining the crowd at Lagos Corner

Harry Song performing on Stage

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...THE VISIT TO FINANCIAL TIMES OF LONDON

Mark Carwardine, Commercial Director, Africa & Middle East of FT, Steve Ayorinde, Lagos State Commissioner & Financial Times Executive

Micheal Effiong, Mojeed Jamiu, Fola Adeyemi, Habib Aruna, Idowu Ajanaku, Habeeb Fasinro & Loye Amsat

Mark Carwardine & Steve Ayorinde

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Micheal Effiong & Idowu Ajanaku

Mark Carwardine explaining some points to the Lagos State team

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HON. HABEEB FASINRO FETES DELEGATES AT 805

RESTAURANT, LONDON

Cross section of guests at the launch

Niyi Adesina, Deputy Editor, The Nation with Hon. Habeeb Fasinro, Co-chairman Lagos@50

Steve Ayorinde, Kunle Afolayan, Mojeed Jamiu & Michael Effiong, Editor, Ovation Int’l

Mojeed Jamiu, Fola Adeyemi, Habib Aruna, Niyi Adesina & Kazeem Olatunde, London Bureau Chief, The Nation

Habib Aruna, Niyi Adesina & Kazeem Olatunde

Deji Balogun (L)

Loye Amsat, Publisher, News of the People, Steve Ayorinde & Michael Effiong

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AT THE GRAND FINALE OF SARO, THE MUSICAL INSIDE THE SHAW THEATRE, LONDON Photo: Micheal Tubes & Jermaine

Habib Aruna, Idowu Ajanaku, Bolanle Austen-Peters, Executive Producer Saro, The Musical, Steve Ayorinde & Fola Adeyemi

Micheal Effiong, Habib Aruna, Steve Ayorinde, Fola Adeyemi, Niyi Adesina, Kazeem Olatunde & Idowu Ajanaku

Steve Ayorinde, Bolanle Austen-Peters with Mr. & Mrs. Abass Tijani

Kunle Afolayan performing on stage

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ASTUTE ACADEMICIAN, PROF.

GOSKI ALABI

LAUNCHES MANAGEMENT BOOK IN ACCRA, GHANA

By Ben Dzakah

Prof. Joshua Alabi, The Author, Professor Goski Alabi & special guests at the book presentation

T

Prof. (Mrs) Goski Alabi

op-rate Quality Management & Leadership expert and lecturer, Professor GoskiAlabi has launched an engaging book titled “Managing for Excellence in The TwentyFirst Century:The Total Quality Approach�.

The book launch which was held the All African University Conference Hall, Legon,Accra, Ghana was attended by a good mixture of students and members of the academia and Chaired by Prof.

Etene Ehile (Secretary-General, Association African of African Universities).

As guests began to arrive, they were welcomed by melodious rhythms meaning from the Adowa and Fortofom drums before Rev. Fr. Cletus opened the

ceremony with prayers.

Proceedings were coordinated by the Master of Ceremonies, James Apedo who steered the ceremony smoothly with so much maturity.

Guests were entertained again by Ms Kokui Salormey whose performance was a perfect way to introduce Professor GoskiAlabi to the podium from where she delivered a very powerful speech about the book and its content.

The new book was officially unveiled by Professor Nimi Briggs, Professor Emeritus of the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria who gladly recommended it to all who desire to upgrade their management skills.

Prof. Joshua & Prof. (Mrs) Goski Alabi

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From 2nd left: Citi FM's Bernard Avle, Prof.Goski Alabi, James Apedo & Peter Kofie

Prof. Nimi Briggs with Prof. & Prof. (Mrs.) Alabi

Lawyer Peggy Adubofour, May, Prof.Goski Alabi & Lady Gloria

Prof. Goski Alabi autographing the books

Rev. Fr. Cletus

Prof. Olivia Kwapong

Bernard Avle

Prof. Nimi Briggs Launching the book

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Prof. Peter Okebukola auctioning the book

Prof. Goski Alabi with Students of University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA)

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HERE COMES LAWEH OPEN UNIVERSITY COLLEGE ACCRA, GHANA

By Segun Lawal

During the Unveiling of LAWEH University: Prof. Joshua Alabi, Prof. Etienne Ehouan Ehile & HRM.Drolor Bosso Adamtey & Prof (Mrs.) Goski Alabi during the unveiling of LAWEH Open University, Nungua, Accra, Ghana

S

ince 2014, Laweh Open University College in Accra, Ghana, has held a pride of place as Ghana’s first accredited Open University College offering certificates, diplomas, degrees and postgraduate courses. In line with global trends in education, the school has used flexible approaches to make higher education and personal development opportunities convenient and accessible to learners – including working professionals.

Laweh has since grown in leaps and bounds, priding itself in its ability to offer contemporary e-learning and deliver programmes that match the best international standards. The institution is guided by an organisational

philosophy of providing innovative and comprehensive academic programmes that offer top quality instruction, high institutional standards, global best practices and a broad range of educational opportunities to learners.

The overarching idea is to provide high quality open supported learning programmes that are geared towards meeting the employability needs of industries and corporations across the African nations.

Recently, Laweh held its official launch and inaugurated its Governing Council. The institution’s highest decision-making body will have administrative oversight and drive its vision to attain and maintain a worldclass status.

Opening Speech by Prof. Goski Alabi

Prof. Joshua Alabi

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Dr. Joshua Mallet, Prof. Nuamah Donkor & A friend

His Royal Majesty Drolor Bosso Adamtey I

Dr. Josiah Cobbah

Mr. Peter Kaba

Nungua Community Leaders

Dr. Mustapha Seidu, Venerable Dr. Neequaye & Stephen Canon Adjei

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The 11-member Governing Council is chaired by Dr. Kingsley Fletcher (HRM Nene Drolor Bosso Adamtey I).

Other members are Professor J. S. Y. Kuma, Vice Chancellor of University of Mines and Technology Tarkwa; Professor Joshua Alabi, Former ViceChancellor of the University of Professional Studies Accra (UPSA); Professor Vincent Ado Tenebe, Former Vice-Chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria; Professor Con. Eng, Tolly S.A Mbwette, Former Vice Chancellor, Open University of Tanzania; Professor Goski Alabi-Dean of the Centre for International Education and Collaboration at UPSA; Ms. Mavis Ekua E. Kwainoe- Legal Practitioner and Lecturer at UPSA; Professor Jemison Kurasha-Dean of Business school, Open University of Zimbabwe; Dr. Joshua Mallet - Director of the Centre for Distance Learning and Open Schooling (CENDLOS), and Professor Jonathan Mbah- Director of Research and Planning at the Association of African Universities (AAU).

The college’s Pro-Vice Chancellor, Dr. Josiah A. M. Cobbah reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to its founding philosophy of providing an opportunity for accessible education. This is he said will lead to the production of wellequipped mid-level leaders strategically trained and positioned to make an impact in their respective fields.

“We take pride in our ability to

work with students with diverse background to harness their potential by identifying, nurturing and turning talents into abilities to contribute their quota to world affairs”, Dr. Cobbah stated.

He also gave the Governing Council a vote of confidence, describing the members as achievers in their various fields of endeavour and urging them to ensure their rich and varied experiences are brought to bear in the governance of the university.

The Chairman of the Governing Council, HRM Nene Drolor Bosso Adamtey I, lauded the pedigree of his colleagues in the Governing Council while assuring the university of their unalloyed commitment to its vision and values. He also guaranteed a progressive rise in the value to be enjoyed by all stakeholders of the institution.

The Laweh Open University conducts its operations through Regional Centres and Study Centres.

Currently there are fifteen (15) contact points in African countries coordinated by prominent personalities. Laweh University College has its Headquarters situated at Addogon Road, off the Spintex-Baatsona Road, near Lekma Polyclinic, Accra-Ghana.

Laweh is also a global partner of Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio, USA and an affiliate of the Open University of Tanzania.

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Guest Speaker, Prof. Etienne Ehile

His Royal Majesty Drolor Bosso Adamtey I ,Prof. Joshua Alabi, Venerable Dr. Neequaye Stephen Canon Adjei & Prof. (Mrs.) Goski Alabi

Swearing in of Governing Council

Rev. & Mrs. Azigiza Junior

Prof. (Mrs) Goski Alabi with Members of the University Top Academic Staff

Cross section of the guests

Laweh University staff

Prof. (Mrs) Goski Alabi with friends

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Some Matriculating students

Prof Goski Alabi with her family members: Mr. Dixon Laryea, Mrs. Lydia Nee Whang (mother), Mrs. Helen Laryea, Prof. Goski Alabi, Damidas Laryea & Mrs. Indira Azila

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LEGAL COLOSUS, JUSTICE (RTD)

EMMANUEL KOFI JONES-MENSAH GOES HOME IN GRANDEUR

By Ben Dzakah

Legal Luminary, Justice Emmanuel Kofi Jones-Mensah being laid in-state

G

Mrs. Beatrice Tayui reading tributes supported by siblings

hana and Cameroon lost a legal luminary when the retired Justice Emmanuel Kofi Jones-Mensah, father of Ghanaian lawyer, former beauty queen and philanthropist, Penelope Jones-Mensah and her siblings, passed on to glory. A lot of Africans still cherish the days of West Cameroon in its existence as a federated state. He was the first Attorney-General of West Cameroon, a position we now know as Minister of Justice. He served in this capacity at an unprecedented age of 26.

Justice Emmanuel Kofi Jones-Mensah was born in Victoria in 1936 and raised in Buea.

His father had moved from Ghana to Cameroon to become the Chief Financial Officer of the Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC), today known as Unilever.

Ghana Bar Association performing their rite

He attended primary school in Buea government school. His secondary education was achieved at the prestigious St. Joseph's College, Sasse where he distinguished himself not only by his brilliant academic acumen but also his athletic prowess.

He excelled as the goal keeper for his college football team, being fondly referred to by his erstwhile schoolmates by the nickname "Water Snake" and "Mission Basket" for being such an excellent goalkeeper.

Upon graduating from Sasse in 1955, he was admitted to King's College, University of London, where he studied Law. He was thereafter called to the Bar at the prestigious Grays Inn of England. Thereafter, he underwent a period of pupillage in London, and then earned his Master's Degree at the renowned Stumondt College of Constitutional Law at Queen's University in Belfast

Northern Ireland. His tenure here would set the trajectory and establish his credentials and pre-eminence as an outstanding constitutional lawyer. This backdrop was the projectile that enabled him to change the landscape of the judicial system in a few countries in Africa which earned him great legal repute.

Upon his return from the United Kingdom he became the youngest person to achieve the heights of Attorney General of West Cameroon, at the tender age of 26years. This was then the highest ranking judiciary official in the territory and custodian of the constitutional rights of all Anglophone Cameroonians.

He led the Foumban Constitutional Conference that led to the reunification of English-speaking West Cameroon and French speaking East Cameroon. He

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STATE BURIAL MASS IN ACCRA

Rt. Dr. James Agidi

Former President Jerry John Rawlings, Hon.Mirriata Oppong & Former Presiden John Agyekum Kufour

Dr. Ebenezer Tayui, Penelope Mensah & A. Esther

Beatrice Tayui, David & Sylvester Mensah

Prof. Edmound Delle & Sylvia Amakwah

Amy Yamusah,Rea Somomiah,Rev. Happy Crenstil & Lily Naa Djormo

Chelsea playing key board

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Children performing music interlude

Torgbui & Mama Dzelu (Chief & Queen mother of Dzelukope)

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BURIAL

Arrival of the body to his place of birth

Pouring of libation by elders for safe arrival

Daughters of the deceased

Queenmother Mama Adorshie & entourage

Royal virgins

The last journey of the Legal Colossus

A daughter who could not bear the loose of the dad

In-laws from Cameroon at the graveside

The interment

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Justice Jones Mensah laid to rest

Evita in tears

Victor, Sylvester & friend

Ms. Chelsea Tayui

In-Laws from Cameroonian

Mrs. Elizabeth Buari & friend

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Chief Humphrey Mosenge Tande

Barr. Clara Ndive (left)

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THANKSGIVING SERVICE

Evangelical Presbyterian Church Tema

Mrs. Elizabeth Buari

Chief Eneng Arrey & entourage from Cameroon

Chief Humphrey Mosenge Tande & wife with Chief Eneng Arrey

helped draft the treaty that united present day Cameroon as well as overseeing the formation of the Mobile Wing police law enforcement division. He was Chairman and National Leader of the Boy's Scout.

He served as a change agent in Bamenda, Kumba and Banso and retained a reputation that sent shock waves throughout the country for his no nonsense and low tolerance for the lawless in society.

His ideological differences with President AhmaduAhidjo regime was well known. He was against the President's propensity to use decrees to override or amend constitutional provisions.

So when President Ahidjo decided to abolish the post of Attorney General of West Cameroon in favor of Legal Advisor to the President, knowing that he disagreed in principle with the President, he no longer felt he could perform his duties freely. With no guarantees for his personal safety, he opted to vacate his position, and go into political exile.

Justice Jones-Mensah then moved back to Ghana, where his father hailed from, and settled there in 1969.

Shortly after he arrived in Ghana, he was appointed Jus-

tice of the Superior Courts Judicature and continued to demonstrate the sterling qualities that had catapulted him to greatness at such young age.

He retired from the Ghanaian bench in 1982 and went into private legal practice where again his spirit of excellence shone through.

He is known and admired by many for the notable victories he achieved in landmark class action cases.

During his luminous legal career, he served as a high court judge in Tamale, Kumasi and Koforidua. The distinguished judge served as a Chief Justice of The Gambia. Being the consummate political animal, he also entered politics in Ghana and was once the Vice Presidential aspirant of PNC. He was a prominent member of the CPR and contributed in diverse ways to champion the cause of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah for Ghana and African as a whole.

An eminent statesman, Justice E.K Jones-Mensah was also a blue blooded royal and the stool father of the Dzelu stool of Dzelukope in the Volta Region of Ghana.

He was a loving father to nine children and grandfather to twelve grandchildren.

The world is indeed a lesser place without him but the skies grew brighter for a new star had just arrived in heaven.

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RECEPTION

Rev. (Mrs.) Mitchell song ministration

The Tema Youth Choir

Barr. Clara Ndive & Nigerian friends

Good food to enjoy

Cameroon cuisine

Dance Assimble entertaining guests

Mrs. Beatrice Tayui Mensah & Hon. Sylvester

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R-l: Dr. Ebenezer Tayui, Beatrice, Victor, Barr. Clara, Penelope, Joselyn Dumas & friend

Madam Laura Ewune Kanyi with friends

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THE GRAND FUNERAL OF

PA CLIFFORD MOBOLAJI COKER Story: Eniola Jolaoso Photo: Funmilayo Adeyemi

The Cokers

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WAKE KEEP

The Children

Mrs Mosun Coker, Mrs.Helen Coker and Mr Akin Coker

F

Mr & Mrs Oladele Coker

rom every corner of the universe, they gathered to honour a principled man whose exemplary life affected not a few people - Pa Clifford Mobolaji Coker- who bowed out from earth’s grand stage at the ripe age of 83.

Dressed in royal blue Ankara, the friends and family of the deceased, who was described as a devoted Christian, gathered for his glorious wake, at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church, Herbert Macaulay Street, Yaba, Lagos.

As the church filled up, the programme kicked off with an opening prayer anchored by one of the officiating ministers. The prayers said, an elaborate and

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Bible Reading by Mr Kola Coker

Second bible reading by Mr Adeyemi Coker

soul inspiring praise and worship session ensued. The minister in charge had to bring the session to an end to initiate the bible readings which were taken by three children of the deceased, who read with love in their hearts.

Afterwards, an encouraging sermon was delivered where the Minister urged the congregation to lead lives worthy of emulating, just as the late octogenarian had done. The sermon was rounded off with prayers for the repose of the soul of the departed, and grace for the living he left behind.

In their tributes contained in the official burial programme, the children of the deceased penned

emotional lines that revealed their dad’s genial and disarming nature.

Akintunde Olumide Coker said, “Each passing day reveals a memory of you that we will cherish forever.

Dad, you were my friend, a good man with a loving heart. I could tell you anything. You fondly call me ‘Me Auld Flower’, an Irish slang for one that is very dear to you. I remember you are always fighting my corner regardless of whether or not I was wrong: not to talk of the numerous goodies you often blessed me with! I will miss your great sense of humour, your wits, your exquisite sense of style and the lovely smell of your cologne that lingered long after you left the room;

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Mr. Chuks& Hajia Rabi Tumaka

Cross section of guests

Mr. & Mrs. Coker with Sola Okpaise

Helen Coker, Peju James & friend

Tokunbo Amunikoro, Mr. Oladele Coker & a friend

Mrs. F.M Coker, Mr Oladele Coker & a guest

the delicious aroma of food that filled the house on a Sunday evening, when you took over the kitchen.

Dad, I really could go on all night long but all I’m trying to say is that, you will be missed dearly. Rest in peace dad.” Equally touching was the tribute by another of his sons, Oladele Coker, the Executive Director, HSSL Global Ltd: “You were instrumental in making me the man I am today, and I will forever be grateful to you for this. When we celebrated your birthday last November, little did I know that it was the last time I’d be seeing you. There are still so many questions I would have liked to ask you and discussions I was hoping to have with you, but I suppose

I will have to wait until we meet again in glory. Sleep well dad, until we meet again.”

The next day witnessed a short service at the same venue before the remains of the deceased were taken to Eko Cemetery in Lagos for interment.

The scene at the grave side elicited emotions which flowed freely among both the old and young but everyone took consolation in the fulfilling life that Pa Coker lived.

Afterwards, Nikoms Event Centre hosted an uplifting reception where it was celebration galore. Although the enigmatic Pa Coker is gone from the world, his legacies still speak volumes in the worlds of all who knew him.

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Dipo Efunkoya, Mr. Dele Coker, Mrs. Martha, Mr. & Mrs. Okunsebo & Mrs. Adenike Coker

Gbenga Adesina & Mosun Coker

Mr.& Mrs Oladele Coker with guests

The Cokers with friends

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Mrs. Ara Coker, Mrs. Adenike Coker, Mrs. Christie Coker & Mrs. Helen Coker

(L-R) Mr. Dele Coker, Mrs. Franka & Akin Coker

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CHURCH SERVICE

The Children

The I COBAS

ICOBAS with Mr. & Mrs. Oladele Coker

Mrs. Coker & Mrs. Toyin Olowoporoku

Edward Abraham, Pastor Charles Abraham & Mr. Akin Ogunbiyi

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Christie Coker

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Mrs. Mosun Coker

Mrs. Adenike Coker

Mr. Oladele Coker

Mr Akin Coker

Mr. Kolawole Coker

Mr. Adeyemi Coker

Mrs. Ara Coker

Mrs. Helen Coker

Mrs. FM Coker

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RECEPTION

Mr. Dele Coker giving the opening speech Samson Babajide, Dipo Efunkoya, Taiwo Okulaja, Justice Bolaji Ojo & Ayo Olowoporoku

Mrs Kolawole Coker with colleagues from Etisalat

Namure Edomioya, Mrs. Mosun Tokunbo Amunikoro & Gbenga Olusina

Mrs Nike Coker, Mrs Shola Okpaise & Friends

Akin Ogunbiya, Lana Hastrup, Dele Coker, Femi Koncry & Charles Abraham Mosun’s friends

MBAS Old Boys

Tiwade & her band thrilling the guests

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HON. FABIAN EZEAFULUKWE THE GRAND FUNERAL FOR

IN IGBO-UKWU, ANAMBRA STATE Story: Dele Salako Photo: Abraham Falodun

W

Dr. Chinedu Ezeafulukwe & Mr. Stanley C. Ezeafulukwe

hen the Ezeafulukwe family of Igbo-Ukwu in Anambra State, Nigeria, lost their patriarch, it was not just a father that they lost. In Hon. Fabian Okekenwa Ezeafulukwe, who was highly regarded in all of the state and beyond, the family lost a dad, a mentor, a friend, an inspirational figure and a legend. He died eight days to his 70th birthday and was given a grand burial in his hometown of Igbo-Ukwu.

Hon. Ezeafulukwe who was popularly referred to as “Kabros”-an alias adapted from his famous earth moving equipment company, Kabros Nigeria Limitedwas amongst many things a successful businessman, a passionate statesman, a devout Christian, an enthusiastic philanthropist, a culture buff and a dedicated family man who was loved by many.

His legacies of faith, marriage, business and statesmanship supply endless doses of inspiration to his family, friends and associates.

His commitment to the Christian faith and the Roman Catholic Church need not be exaggerated. The

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The Ezeafulukwe

reality is underscored by the fact that he even died while serving at the Church of Arch Angel Parish, Gaduwa, Abuja and his demise left a gaping hole in the hearts of those who knew him in church because of the tremendous impact he had made in their lives.

His children told OVATION that his name is written in gold in many parishes of the Roman Catholic Church across Nigeria. In fact, at the time of building St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Obiuno, Igbo-Ukwu, he threw his financial weight behind the project and was one of few who spared no cost to see to its successful completion. He played similar key roles at the Nativity of Our Lord’s Parish, Ohabiam, Aba in Abia State where he lived much of his life and also at the Church of Arch Angel Parish where he passed unto glory.

In business, Hon. Ezeafulukwe defied odds, scaled heights and broke new grounds. Following an apprenticeship stint with the late Alexander Mefor who tutored him in the fundamentals of the automobile spare parts and tyre business, he started a small

enterprise along the same lines. His progress was halted by the Civil War when he was drafted into the Biafran Army. He survived the war and returned home to continue from where he left off in business.

His resourcefulness and faith in God saw him through the growing pains of the early years and the business flourished. In 1982, he floated Kabros Nigeria Ltd. -an earth moving equipment company that became a force within the region opening branches at Aba, Port Harcourt and Abuja-with over 200 workers. These strides in enterprise saw Hon. Ezeafulukwe record many firsts in his humble family. He became the first in his family to buy a car, build a house, control millions in assets and cash, own an international business and boast a global network of associates. A business that began in a single room bloomed into a chain that included vast real estate, a shopping mall in Aba and global deals.

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VIGIL MASS

The officiating ministers

Mr. Okey, Mr Obi & Stanley

Dr. Chinedu & Mr. Jay Jay

Chinenye & Stephanie

Okey & his two sons

Mr. & Mrs. Charles Eze & Dr. Chinedu

Okey & Eze Akudo

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Mr. Henry & Dr. Chidebere

Chinenye & friends

Mr. Lawson & Barr. Emeka Nndukwe

Mr. Vinchy & friend

Mr. Mbanefo, Chief Mike & Emeka

Chinatu, Mr. Ibu, Ugo & Stanley

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Artistes with family members

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Emir of Niger & his wife, Okey, Stanley, Madam Boling, Gen. Ezeaku Udo & others

Okey & friends

Chinenye & friends

As a family man, he was the model husband and exemplary father. He was married to late Mrs. Ngozi Ezeafulukwe in 1975. She passed away in 2007. Their union was blessed with eight children-Okechukwu, Stanley, Ginika, Ada, Chinedu, Kelechi, Clara, and Mary Jane, as well as eight grandchildren. Such was the deceased’s love and commitment to his wife and family that he remained single for the last nine years of his life following his wife’s demise.

Chinenye & friends

His son, Okechukwu Ezeafulukwe, who has imbibed his dad’s enterprising and entrepreneurial spirit and is now popularly known by his own company’s brand name, Okey Equipment, said of his father, “People know me as Okey Equipment today but they don’t know where the love for equipment came from. I grew up watching my dad heavily involved in a big construction and equipment business and he owned several construction equipment.”

Speaking of how his dad bequeathed a legacy of

faith to the family, he said, “He loved God so much and taught us how to pray. He had morning devotion with us daily and led us to believing and knowing God.” Another son, Stanley Chizoba Ezeafulukwe wrote in a tribute, “Words are not enough to express what you meant to me. You were not only a father but a friend and a role model, full of wisdom, cheerful, a workaholic, peace loving, honest, a man with a high sense of humour and right judgment.”

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LYING IN STATE

THE BURIAL PROCESSION

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THE BURIAL MASS

Officiating ministers

Chinenye

Bishop Eze Okoafor & Okey

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...AND THE HONOURABLE GENTLEMAN IS LAID TO REST

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In an emotion-laden homage, daughter of the deceased, Clara, wrote, “A special dad is hard to find. But I was very lucky to have you as my father. I am keeping you in mind. If wishes do come true, I’d have wished you stay forever. I will never forget you in this world.”

Even though Hon. Ezeafulukwe was a politician and an active member of the United Nigeria People's Party (UNPP), he was a staunch statesman at heart. For instance, his statesmanship was demonstrated during the administration of Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife as Governor of Anambra State between 1992 and 1993. The governor appointed him to head a special recovery team to recover unlawfully diverted public assets.

Recollecting the singular act of uncommon bravery in his tribute to the deceased, Dr. Ezeife recounted, “When the military left in 1991, and for whatever reasons, they had auctioned off and privatised many public assets, the governor had to spend valuable time recovering some of the assets which he considered critical to his development strategy. Petitions kept coming in, to the effect that most of the few assets not sold by the military were illegally leased out.”

“At a very great risk to his personal and family safety, the deceased, a wealthy Aba-based businessman volunteered his services and resources, rejected bribes and staged a one-

man crusade to locate and bring back as many of these diverted assets as possible. He combed Anambra, Delta, Ebonyi, Abia and Enugu States in search of the assets.”

“Kabros made such a success of the task that the Anambra State Government celebrated a harvest of recovered plants and equipment in 1993, and issued him a with a certificate of recognition for his efforts,” the exgovernor disclosed.

Hon. Fabian Ezeafulukwe was born November 2, 1946 in Igbo-Ukwu, Anambra State to late Chief Ezeafulukwe Ezeokonkwo and late Madam Celina Ezeafulukwe. He was the second child and first son to his mother but the sixth child of the family.

The challenges and pressure of a polygamous family regardless, he received his primary education at Obiano Primary School (now St. Patrick Primary School), IgboUkwu. His quest for knowledge was interrupted by the Biafra War but his burning desire for academic distinction pushed him into adult school where he was able to make his Ordinary Level Certificate. He proceeded to Abia State University, Uturu, where he obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science.

Even though fond memories of his time here live on in the hearts of his loved ones, he will yet be sorely missed.

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THE RECEPTION

Henry & Big Ben

Emeka, Emeka & Emeka

Mr. Nelly, Emek & friend

Dazino, Tommy & Barr. Udebuzor

Mr. Kingsly, Okey and friend

Richmond, Arinze, Harry & Emeka

Otunwa, Richmond and friend

Obi Cubana & friend

Friends of Madam Bohugo

Ejile, Charles & Nonso

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GLORIOUS FAREWELL FOR

DEACONESS COMFORT OYEMADE Story: Jane Efagwu Photo: Funmilayo Adeyemi

The Oyemades

The Oyemades

T

Mr. Akin Oyemade giving the vote of thanks

he idyllic settings of Alagbahun in the Modakeke area of Osun State came alive recently when friends and family members of late Deaconess Comfort Mojisola Oyemade stormed the town in their numbers to give her a befitting burial in celebration of a life well lived.

It was an elaborate four-legged affair, meticulously planned for months and rhythmically executed within the span of 24 hours. The first round of rites unfolded early in the morning on the day of the burial at her residence at 8, Oyemade Street, Alagbagun, in Modakeke, Osun state. It was a service of songs that saw melodious

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The Oyemades

The Darby Pallbearers

classical hymns chorused by guests to high heavens in adulation and thanksgiving for the gift that Deaconess Oyemade represented to her loved ones. Also, a soulstirring exhortation was delivered by the Modakeke Area Superintendent of The Apostolic Church Nigerian (TACN), Pastor S.O. Fatumbi which was followed by a round of heartfelt prayers for the preservation of the family of the deceased.

Later that morning, the second leg of the burial proceedings was held by the graveside of the deceased. She was carried in a silver horse tail-festooned casket provided by Darby Caskets. With the bible reading taken

from 1 Thess. 4:13-18, the minister urged the family of the deceased not to mourn as people who have no hope knowing that their matriarch’s death was only a window into a more glorious life in eternity. He assured all those who believe in Jesus that they would again reunite with her in the hereafter. The casket was then lowered into the earth, as emotions overwhelmed the family.

The third leg of the ceremony happened at The Apostolic Church Nigeria (TACN) the same day. It was a funeral outing and thanksgiving service for Mama’s life, her family and the success of all the proceedings.

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Mr. Akin Oyemade

Mr. Ayoolu Banji

Princess Folashade Adeyemi

Mr. Femi Oyemade

Mr. Bisi Oyemade

Former governor of Lagos State, H.E (Rtd) General Raji Rasaki

President of The Christ Apostolic Church, Pst. G.O Olutola, Former governor of Lagos State, H.E (Rtd) General Raji Rasaki & Pst. Z.T Alo

At the grave side

Mr. Olufemi Oyemade with friends

The women wore beautiful sea-green laces that they combined with striking orange coloured head ties and matching accessories while their male counterparts were handsomely dressed in faded green agbadas to complement the women. It was basically a an occasion for the unalloyed expression of gratitude to God, the church and to family and friends for their immense support before and during the burial.

Finally, the fourth and final leg of the event - a grand reception - was staged at

the classy Hillsprings Hotel, Osun State.

The venue which was tastefully decorated in red and white colour schemes brightened up the mood of the guests as they strolled in from the church service.

A band was on hand to thrill the guests while they enjoyed an array of lipsmacking cuisines and fine wines.

Notable personalities at the event included former Military Administrator of Lagos State, Gen. Raji Rasaki, Magistrate (Mrs.) Omolade Awope, and the President of The Apostolic Church of Nigeria, Pastor Gabriel Oladele Olutola.

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Made Alagbe, Buku Omololu, Suzanne Oduyoye, Funke Adesoji & Kemi Omotosho

Alhaji Mojosola & Dr. Yinka Olaosebikan

Pst. & Mrs. Femi Adebowale

Adeshina Araoye, Titilayo Araoye & Akin Oyemade

Odunlade Folawe & Mrs. Oluwole

Hon. (Mrs.) Moronkade Anibijuwon & Mr. Oyebisi Oyemade

Mr. & Mrs. Adeoye

Stephen & Segun

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Magistrate (Mrs.) Omolade Awope & Mrs. Shade Adejuwon

Ayebami Banji, John Banji & James Banji

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