President of Edible Oil Sellers Association of Lagos State, Chief Olajumoke Yussuf, celebrated her 70th birthday at Balmoral hall, Oregun, Lagos. IBRAHIM ADAM reports.
May 30 will always be remembered in the circle of family members, colleagues and friends of Chief Olajumoke Yussuf, the President of Edible Oil Sellers Association of Lagos State when she celebrated her 70th birthday at the Balmoral hall Oregun, Lagos.
Many of the guests arrived quite earlier than the scheduled time, exchanging pleasantries and engaging in photograph sessions. Their dresses were bright and eye catching, resplendent in the orange and antique gold aso ebi chosen for the occasion to match the tastefully decorated hall. Chairs were set round tables with gold overlays with lots of flowers all around.
The celebrant’s children and in-laws were there in their numbers to celebrate with their mother. Her female children clad in uniformed shiny black lace with red head gears and ipele to match, while her the men wore white laces with matching caps.
As for the celebrant, she was radiantly glowing in a shiny white lace. Her seat was reserved in the middle of the hall, where her guests kept coming to commemorate with her on joining the club of septuagenarians. She looked a lot younger than 70. There were lots to eat and drink.
The event began with Alfa Abdultfatai Abdulazeez reciting some portions of the Quran and Alfa Toyyib Idris reading Suratul Fatia for the thanksgiving.
Sheikh Saheed Adebayo in a brief message appreciated Allah for the life of Mrs Yussuf. He said Allah has done her favour by taking her through the milestone. Sheikh Saheed urged the celebrant’s children to stay with and care for their mother, adding, she was there for them when they needed her.
“You should be good children for tomorrow because if you care for your old, your children will take care of you one day,” he said. He prayed for the celebrant and her children.
After that, reception followed at the same venue. Sprint Tee Disk Jockey, dished out lots of birthday songs before apala musician, Musiliu Haruna-Isola took over on the bandstand.
Popular Yoruba actress, Ronke Oshodi-Oke, anchored the event. She introduced guests and kept the gathering alive with rib cracking jokes. Mr Dare Salami said the opening prayer. The celebrant later changed her outfit.
On the celebrant, her younger sister, Mrs Bose Alao, described her as friendly and fun to be with.
Wife of the Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, Olori kemi, said Mrs Yussuf was nice, enduring, tolerant and sweet adding that though she might be troublesome sometimes. She wished her to reap the fruit of her labour, have a long and prosperous life.
A friend of the celebrant, Mrs Solaja Jumlar, described her as her mentor, adding that she was humble, loving and principled.
The celebrant’s first child, Olubunmi Mustapha, was all smiles when she took to the microphone. She said: “My mother is an enigma who had done so much for us and she loves all of us. She gave us the best education and she has remained supportive. I can’t say it all but we thank you.”
The celebrant’s last child, Mr Tope Yussuf, said his mother was the brain behind his success.
While others spoke about her, the Iyaloja of Lagos and President General of Market Men and Women Chief Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, arrived the venue. Her entry added colour to the event as she went round to exchange pleasantries with guests.
Chief Tinubu-Ojo, who chaired the event, said the celebrant was good, industrious and generous. She wished her a happy birthday and more years. She also advised her children to be good and take good care of their mother.
The birthday ‘girl’ thanked her children for standing by her and urged them to strive harder to be better than she is.