Category: Entertainment

The Nation man Aloiye John Oyarekua has tied the nuptial knot with former Miss Violet Iwanehi Omotuenmhen at the Church of God Mission International, Okokomaiko, on the outskirts of Lagos. AMIDU ARIJE report. 

It was the day they had been waiting for. For The Nation man, Aloiye John Oyarekua and his better half, Violet Iwanehi Omotuenmhen, the day will forever remain indelible.

The lovebirds tied the nuptial knot. The Church of God Mission International, Okokomaiko, Lagos was the venue.

Their family members, relatives and friends came en mass to share in their joy.

The groom, Aloiye, wore a fine suit with lemon inner to match, while the bride appeared in a white flowing gown.

The couple’s early arrival, despite the monthly environmental sanitation which held on that day and which restricted movement till 10 am, paved way for the early kick off of the August ceremony.

The Agape Choir of the church sang the processional hymn, My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus and righteousness I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean on Jesus, as the couple was led into the church by a retinue of bride’s maids and groom’s men.

They were followed by their friends.

Expectedly, the congregation stood. They joined in the singing of the processional hymn.

The church service was anchored by Elder Steven Ogbole, who welcomed them.

He requested the officiating minister to pray for the couple.

In his sermon, Senior Pastor, Convenanters’ Vintage Church (CVC), Dr Mike Ohiorenoya, enjoined the couple to love each other and continue to trust in God.

The cleric, whose 36th wedding anniversary coincided with Aloiye’s wedding, advised the couple to look up to Jesus and build their life around Him, adding that the Almighty God has been a pillar of support in his marriage.

“You should look up to Jesus, when you look unto Him, no matter the storm, adversity, you will scale through,” he said.

He prayed for long life and successful marriage life for the couple.

After his speech, the marriage certificate was signed. This was done in the presence of select family members and friends.

The Agape Choir of the church made the day livelier as they entertained the congregation. Rev Benson German presented the marriage certificate to the newest couple in town.

The service, which ended with a closing hymn Great is thy faithfulness was also taken by the choir.

The reception followed immediately at the same venue. Before then, there was a session for group photographs in front of the church.

The reception, chaired by Elder Ogbole, started with a prayer. Elder Ogbole thanked God for the success of the wedding and for those who came to grace the occasion, praying that God should bless them.

He enjoined the couple to trust in God for their needs, saying it was only God that can provide them with their needs.

Afterwards, the Agape Choir once again delivered some melodious tunes.

The wedding featured the cutting of the cake. This was after its producer had explained its make and content. The feeding of each other by the couple followed.

The bride, with a smile, knelt to feed her husband; she sealed it with kisses. The groom also fed his wife and followed with kisses.

To the surprise and admiration of all, the groom and his wife danced their hearts out when it was dancing time. With stylish dance steps and modern dances, they entertained their families and guests. A guest who knows Aloiye said his reticence had disappeared.

The elated groom described the day as “wonderful and fantastic”.

“It has been a victorious day, very wonderful; we give all the glory to God,” he said.

The groom, who said he met his wife through his cousin, described her as a very virtuous woman.

He said her passion for serving God attracted him to her.

“Her passion for serving God drew me to her; she has a deep passion to serve God. She is a virtuous woman,” he said.

The bride was also full of joy for the success of the day.

“It is a glorious day, we give thanks to God for His help,” Violet said.

She described her better half as a Godly and nice man.

The groom’s mother, Deaconess Titilope Adegoroye, said: “It is a day of victory and praises; it is a day that I saw the fruitfulness of God; He has been faithful I am happy and joyful,.

She urged them to live with the fear of God and love each other.

The groom’s brother, Pastor Aimanesi Oyarekua, prayed that the union should be blessed in all areas.

The bride’s uncle, Mr Marcus Omotuenmhen,wished the couple a very successful and fruitful marraige.

The National Director,Agape Force of the church, Rev Humphrey Arheghan, urged the couple to live their life in God’s way; the way they started their life.

“They should appreciate that life is not full of roses, I urge them to believe in God, with Him every challenge of their life will be surmounted,” he said.

He promised the couple that their union will be celebrated at the church’s annual camp later in the year.

“We have agreed to celebrate her at our national conference this year, she is the deputy national camp director for the church,” he said.

On May 18, ministers and members of the Archbishop Timothy Olufosoye Memorial Anglican Church (ATOMAC), Ogba, Lagos opened their new church auditorium. JOSEPH ESHANOKPE reports

They were gaily dressed and full of joy. They were members of the Archbishop Timothy Memorial Anglican Church (ATOMAC), Ogba, Lagos and their guests who thronged the church last Saturday for the dedication of its new auditorium.

Besides a few vehicles parked on the road close to the church and the big banner hung on the wall of the edifice welcoming visitors to the place, there was nothing to indicate that a big ceremony was taking place there. Yet, inside the auditorium were gathered the crème de la crème of the church.

The opening of the service was as memorable as any other aspect of the event. As the processional hymns were being rendered, the bishops marched in; they were followed by their junior colleagues. It was a beautiful sight to behold, especially as the priests were decked in their pastoral apparel.

Welcoming the guests and the church members, Bishop of the Diocese of the Lagos West of the Anglican Communion Revd James Odedeji thanked them for coming. Specifically, he thanked and prayed for his predecessor Bishop Peter Adebiyi, who he said, “has contributed to the growth of our diocese and the church.”

He also thanked the family of Mrs Teju Akindolire, whose family hosted the church for six years before it moved to its permanent site. He praised the Olufosoyes, whose father, the church was named after, saying the senior cleric worked for the growth of the church.

“The Lord will take care of the Olufosoye’s family,” he prayed.

Speaking on the theme Why God move people to build for Him, Bishop Odedeji listed six reasons for this. They are, he said, need for unity among Christians; to get them a place for prayer and worship; need for a place where His name will be hallowed and the need for the brethren to exalt Him, among others.

Warning that the church is not a place for quarrelling and bickering, he said: “The church is the hope of this generation. People must leave here and go to heaven. It is not my property and yours. We must look for the good of the house of God. At ATOMAC, you must cherish your unity, shun nepotism and disunity.”

He urged them to imbibe what he called the three Fs: Firmness, fairness and friendliness.

The choir led by Brother Omoniyi Odunsi gave a good account of themselves as they displayed their dexterity both in songs and use of the organ.

The high point of the ceremony was when the keys of the new House of God were handed to Rev. Adeniji. Performing the ceremony, Bishop Odedeji said: “You will not be tired, sick, or bedridden. It shall be well with your soul, your family. You will grow from strength. Each time you preach, the word of God will fill your mouth. May the Lord bless you,” the congregation chorused a loud Amen.

In his response Rev. Adeniji, who was overjoyed by the event, said the foundation of the church was laid in July 2011. The land, he said, cost N25million while the total cost of construction was between N85 million and N90million.

Against the background of the small population of the church, its lean purse and the fact that the multi-million naira edifice was built within two years, he called it the wonderful work of God based on faith.

Going memory lane, Rev Adeniji, a former staff member of Chevron, said at the beginning of the construction, some members of the church left and had not returned. He thanked the members who stood by him and the project, especially the Band of Faith, noting that their assistance was tremendous.

Guests at the event included Mrs Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu; Bishop of Idoani Rt. Rev Ezekiel Dahunsi; the Archdeacon of Ikeja Archdeaconry, Venerable Israel Tunde Owoyele.

He will be 75 tomorrow but Pa Ekundayo Alabi Wright, former Editor of The Punch decided not to speak on his life times,but rather on the increasing degrading environment. He spoke with TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO at his residence in popular but filthy Campus Square, Lagos Island.

 

He lives in a building not up to half a plot of land but his popularity overshadows those living in mansions and big houses in the vicinity. A mention of ‘Big Daddy’ is all a visitor needs and in no time he is at his abode.

“Hello, are you guys from The Nation? ” He spoke with a loud voice. “Yes Sir,” this reporter replied.

“Come over here,” he said with hand gesture.

“Sir, are you…” “Yes,” he interjected. “Journalists are not difficult to identify,” he said.

Not that we did not get the place as directed by a filling station attendant but we could not believe a man of such calibre could live in such a place. Trust Lagosians, especially the elderly ones; they are contented with such environment.

Welcome to 101 Bamgbose Street, the house of Pa Ekundayo Alabi Wright, former Editor of The Punch.

He did not allow us entry before pointing towards the side of the popular Campus Square. He told the photographer to take some shots there.

“That is where your work here begins; look, after that car, there are some things dumped there. Afterwards, take pictures of the drainage and the surroundings,” he said.

When the photographer returned, he asked rhetorically: “Do you like what you have just seen? Is this place habitable for human beings? These and many ugly things are parts of nonsense people subject themselves to around this area. Let’s go inside.”

The small sittingroom room is full of books and newspapers. Various art crafts of his youth age pictures and a top-less woman adorn the wall.

“My name is Ekundayo. I will be 75 years old next Saturday. I am a journalist, partially retired because I still do consultancy and editing for some people. Life goes on,” he introduced himself before the interview started.

Fondly called Dayo Wright, he lamented the sorry state of the environment.

He recalled the Lagos of yesteryears with nostalgia.

“The Lagos I used to know is not the Lagos that exists now, he said, everything is upside down, inside out, which is a shame. In the Lagos that we had then, sanitation was one of the major priorities. Then, we had people who were called Fokota Fokota – they were those who cleared the drainage.

“Aside that, when you woke up in the morning, my house then was at Igbosere Road, we used to sweep the front of our house. Officials from the state and local governments will come to clear the rubbish and take them away. Today, when you clear the drains and put it by the roadside, it will be there in the next one to three weeks. Things have changed, nobody cares.

“We are spending millions of naira on campaigns to kick out malaria while there has been stagnant water in the front of houses for a long time. All the drainages are not cleared. Now the gutter that leads to the canal, not too far from PHCN Road is blocked. All the drainages in the neighbourhood are stagnant already. In the course of sand filling Lagos, all the exit to the Lagoons, where we used to play with a small boat carved out of matchbox, they are all blocked. If you put one of such small boat outside there, in the next one year, it will still be there because the water is not flowing. Is this the way to go on? No, we can’t go on like this. It’s wrong.”

“Today, everyone is talking about environment. Children are falling sick with diarrhea, typhoid, malaria. How can we eradicate all these diseases without clearing the drainage. I have just shown you a pile of rubbish thrown down the road by a neighbour after his party. The debris is still there, one week after. If I were around, I would have told them to pack it in front of his house.”

He recommended China’s method of dealing with people who debase the environment.

“Our government makes the law but they do not enforce it. In China, if you spit on the street, you will probably go to jail. If you ease yourself on the street, you will probably be shot. It is when people stopped caring fors their environment that it degenerates to what it is today. We got into this mess from the moment we stopped caring for our environment. So, we need to do something. Not next week, rather, we have to start now. We need to have an environment monitoring unit, just like the CBD, KAI people, among others, and get them working. Not just towing vehicles unnecessarily, especially in a residential area like this. I cannot park my car outside. So, where do I park? I once said if the government does not want people to dump cars on the streets, let them introduce stickers/tags that will show who is a resident and who is not. But that is not in place. So, what do we do? Absolutely nothing. If you park your car outside for a while, you are going to be called that your car will be towed.”

The wife of a Lagos lawyer, Hannibal Uwaifo, Osas, has celebrated her 40th birthday in Lagos. NNEKA NWANERI was at the Church of Divine Mercy Catholic Church, Lekki, Lagos venue of the event.

For Mrs. Osas Uwaifo, wife of Lagos- based lawyer, Hannibal, attaining 40 is a blessing.

She was full of smiles last Tuesday during the birthday bash organised for her.

At the thanksgiving mass that began at midday, many thanked God for all He has done in her life.

The birthday ‘girl’ was surrounded by family and friends. Though a week day, the church was almost filled to capacity.

Assistant priest of the parish Revd. Damian Alozie took the Bible reading from Luke 17:12-19, on the parable of the 10 lepers who were cured of their ailments but only one came back to thank Jesus.

During the homily, the Parish Priest of Divine Mercy, Lekki, Rev. Fr Anthony Fadairo, admonished the celebrator to look back at her past; check how well she has fared and see how she can do better. The cleric urged her to devote her life to God and not to let her love for God wane.

Soon after the service, guests moved to the hall beside the church for the reception, where the Police Band played.

MC Whiskero, who compeered the event, dished out rib-cracking jokes to the delight of guests, many of who were the celebrator’s friends from the Sterlings School Lekki, where Mrs Uwaifo serves as the chairman of the Parents Council; her schoolmates at the Federal Government Girls College, Bakori, Katsina State and the University of Benin. Also present were members of the Christian Men Organisation (CMO) of the parish headed by her husband.

Mr Uwaifo praised his wife for her doggedness and devotion. He described her as honest and diligent.

The lawyer urged those preparing for marriage not to see the institution as an easy journey, but a long one.

Many described the birthday ‘girl’ in superlative terms, saying she is a detribalised woman from Ondo State, but born in Lagos and married to an Edo man.

Dr Adeniyi Ajiboye of Lagos Island General Hospital and Dr Aderonke Idowu of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) have tied the nuptial knot at the New Covenant Baptist Church, Agege, a Lagos suburb, reports KUNLE AKINRINADE

IT was grand and the couple looked regal in their attires. The groom, Dr Adeniyi Ajiboye, a surgeon, was decked in a well-tailored black suit. The bride, Aderonke, a dentist, wore a sparkling white gown. It was a day the couple abandoned their stethoscopes to consummate their relationship.

The groom works at the Lagos Island General Hospital; his wife is with the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja.

The couple exchanged marital vows at the New Covenant Baptist Church, Ijaiye Housing Estate, Agege, a Lagos suburb. The service began at 11am and ended at 2.30pm, thus setting the stage for the reception.

Everything at the 10 Degrees Events Centre, Oregun, Ikeja the reception venue, spoke of the high-octane ceremony. Exotic cars brought guests, who turned out in splendid native attires.

The reception, chaired by former Director of the State Security Service, Major-General Kunle Togun, started at 3.28pm. The couple was ushered into the expansive auditorium at 3.47pm, by friends and family members. The elated couple hit the floor with beautiful dance steps that lasted 20 minutes.

Gen. Togun urged the couple to eschew bickering and employ understanding, to strengthen their marriage.”

He spoke further: “Marriage is all about understanding and this is the time that you will begin to see your real selves. Aderonke (the bride), you are the one that will have to adjust your husband, albeit, subtly, and with maturity. Being a military man, I was tough and a firebrand when I got married but my wife adjusted me with a deep sense of maturity and we have been enjoying peace in our marriage ever since.

“Whenever things go wrong between you, both of you must learn to settle your differences amicably without a recourse to third party. You must also learn to trust each other because it was my own wife who encouraged me to open a joint bank account, so that we could save money together and pull resources together for the management of our home. Above all other things, you must not deny yourselves of sex, so you won’t give room for the devil or doubts. Lest I forget, you also need fasting and prayer to overcome spiritual challenges and you can only do this in an atmosphere of peace, tranquility and unity of purpose.”

The bride’s younger sister, Miss Olaide Idowu, an accountant, who proposed the toast, recalled how the couple met.

“I want to say that Providence played a great role in what we are witnessing today. Dr Adeniyi met my sister through me when I was writing my accounting professional examination and the rest has become history today. Patience had stood them out and then, commitment, because they have gone through a lot for each other, but with a lot of personal sacrifice, they weathered the storm and I thank God for them today.”

The couple cut their wedding cake at 4.24 pm and fed each other amid applause by guests. They later took to the dance floor, accompanied by family members and guests who showered them with naira notes.

Describing his wife, Adeniyi said: “She is my treasure and I thank God for having someone like her who not only cherishes me but understands me a lot. By providence, we both are medical professionals and this is a plus to our union.”

Beaming with an infectious smile, Aderonke said of her husband: “He possesses everything that a woman would want in a man – cool, committed, honest and above all, very caring. I see him as my friend and dependable partner and he has lived up to that on a number of occasions.”

The bride’s mother, Chief Sade Idowu, Director of Pharmacy at the Orile–Agege General Hospital, expressed joy at witnessing the marriage.

“I cannot thank God enough for giving me the grace to witness today’s ceremony and for the peace that reigned in the couple’s lives while their courtship lasted. I wish them a blissful and enduring marriage with all the good things of life,” she said.

The groom’s father, Elder Gabriel Ajiboye, said: “My joy knows no bounds for witnessing today’s occasion and for the turnout of family members, friends, associates and well- wishers who are here to share in our joy. I pray that God will grant them long life and bless their marriage with good children.”

The Atoye of Ado-Ekiti, Chief Samuel Bamdele Falegan, has turned 80. He marked the birthday with a thanksgiving service at the Cathedral Church of Emmanuel and the launch of an autobiography entitled, My Yester Years, at the Christ’s School Alumni Centre. SULAIMAN SALAWUDEEN reports.

THE elderly man arrived in the church 10 am and took his seat beside an equally elderly woman, at the front row opposite the altar.

They are the Atoye of Ado-Ekiti, Chief Dele Falegan, and his wife, Madam Olufunke. Baba as many call him, was in Agbada, Sokoto and Buba made of brown Ofi fabric with a cap to match. Mama wore Iro and Buba with a headtie of same brown material.

The duo, responding to the music supplied at intervals by the choir, swayed sideways on their feet. They were joined in the dance by the wife of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, who was in Iro and Buba made of brown colour Ofi (not of the same fabric).

All the seats in the church were filled by dignitaries from within and outside the state. They came to celebrate Chief Falegan at 80.

The service was officiated by Bishop C.T. Omotunde, who said Falegan’s success was attested to by his completion of “80 solid years on earth at a time many did not have that privilege.”

Bishop Omotunde enjoined the celebrator to rededicate himself to the service of humanity and the continuing progress of the state. He encouraged the children to take a cue from Papa “who had successfully fathered you all to attainments.”

He urged them to continue to contribute to the progress and development of the state “just as your father has been doing for a considerable length of time.”

Bishop Omotunde said the dedication and commitment of parents to their children’s progress often manifest in the church as, according to him, “parents often keep praying for their children against the instruction of pastors that they should pray for the country or state.”

He said: “For someone to know how much parents love their children, after being told to pray for country and state, listen and you will hear them praying for their own children. This is real love that the children themselves should appreciate and replicate.”

Guests later converged on the Alumni Hall of Chirst’s School, for reception. There, the celebrator’s autobiography, My Yester Years was launched.

The hall, large enough to take 500 people, was filled with guests. On display were about eight different cakes in admirable shapes, such as the piano, textbooks, Bible and white polo shirt. Also on display were various gift items given to Papa.

Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of the Ekiti State University, Prof. Jide Osuntokun, received a standing ovation after reviewing Papa Falegan’s new book.

In his address, Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi said Falegan remained one of the few leaders whose character, life style, honesty and hard work were worth emulating and celebrating in their life times.

Fayemi cautioned against the vulgar penchant for bestowing iconic status on people with “dubious reputation”, noting: “such gesture is sending a terribly unedifying message to the upcoming young generations.”

His words: “The society’s apparent confusion as to the character of people upon whom the nation should collectively bestow iconic status speaks volumes about the debasement of the nation’s value system.

“This shortcoming is further complicated by our society’s apparent confusion as to the character of people we should collectively bestow iconic status upon. Sadly the sort of people we celebrate as heroes in our society today says a lot about the debasement of our value system.”

He recalled how the young were moulded during his students days at the famous Christ’s School, Ado Ekiti, such that there was no life path that a pupil chose that did not have the complement of a mentor figure among the alumni body, among whom was Falegan.

Falegan of the Fatufede warrior family of Ado–Ekiti was born on May 10, 1933. He attended Emmanuel School, and Christ’s School also in Ado-Ekiti before proceeding to Fourah Bay College, Freetown, Sierra Leone for his first degree in Economics and a Master’s in the same discipline from the University of Oregon, United States.

Baba worked at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which he joined in July 1961 and was later seconded to the Nigerian Mortgage Bank as its pioneer Managing Director. He is the Chairman of the Ekiti State Sure-P Committee.

Among the dignitaries were: Ewi of Ado-Ekiti Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe; Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti Oba Ademola Ajakaye; Catholic Bishop of Ekiti, Most Rev. Felix Femi-Ajakaye; Chief Deji Fasuan; Chief Alex Olu-Ajayi; Dr. Femi Orebe; Prof. Femi Omosinni; Ekiti State University Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), Prof. Gbenga Aribisala; its Dean of School of Postgraduate Studies, Prof. Edy Olanipekun; former National President of the Christ’s School Alumni Association, Dr.Ayo Obembe; Chief Bisi Egbeyemi; Mr Akin Oyedele; Otunba Tunde Apata; Mr.Wole Ogunleye; Mr Bola Elegbeleye and Mr.Ayo Oladele.