Category: Entertainment

The first year coronation anniversary of Alawe of Ilawe, Ekiti, Ekiti State, Oba Adebanji Ajibade Alabi, was held last weekend. Some dignitaries, including Hon Aminu Tambuwal, were conferred with chieftaincy titles on the occasion. DADA ALADELOKUN and SULAIMAN SALAWUDEEN were there

THE rustic Ilawe community in Ekiti State came alive last Saturday for the first coronation anniversary of its monarch, Oba Adebanji Ajibade Alabi. It was a two-in-one event as the community also marked its Unity Day on that day. Legs and vehicles competed for space at the venue of the carnival-like event. The monarch and his wife, Olori Abimbola, looked resplendent in their traditional outfit.

The sons and daughters of the community from home and abroad bubbled with excitement. The venue, Corpus Christi College, probably had never hosted such a mammoth crowd with some high-profile personalities.

Tradition was in display. Masquerades were not left out. On their outlandish attires, they saluted all in their customary guttural voices. It was a special day of harvest. Itinerant entertainers drummed and sang guests’ praises. Even before guests’ arrival, an Ekiti traditional musician, Major Femi Ariyo and members of Ekiti Cultural Troupe, gave a good account of themselves. They kept people on their feet dancing. Frontline Ikere-Ekiti born Juju music sensation, Micho Ade, later took his turn amid applause.

Policemen, Civil Defence officials and members of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), provided security. They were complemented by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor (Security), Ade Adesokan and his aides.

Many were pleasantly surprised at the calibre of the ushers, all illustrious sons of the town – former General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Pastor Dele Adesina and Femi Falana, both Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN); renowned Estate surveyor, Chief Kola Akomolede and High Chief Gbenga Agbona, the Elemo of Oke-Emo, Ilawe. They were virtually on their feet throughout the event.

The celebration took off about 2pm when Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal and some of his aides and colleagues, including Dr Ifeoluwa Arowosoge and Babatunde Faparusi came in. Senators Olu Adetumbi and Babafemi Ojudu were there.

Monarchs in attendance included the Owa Ooye of Okemesi and Chairman, Ekiti State Traditional Council of Obas, Oba Michael Gbadebo; Oluyin of Iyin Ekiti, Oba Adekola Ajakaye; Onisan of Isan-Ekiti, Oba Sunday Ajiboye, and the Deji of Akure, Oba Adebiyi Adesida.

Bishop Felix Femi-Ajakaiye, the Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, represented the clergy.

The Chairman, Ikere Local Government, Hon. Adesoji Michael, was there alongside a prominent member of Ikere Caretaker Committee, Chief Julius Aruleba. It was a special day for accomplished indigenes of the town, including Olusegun Faleye, Managing Director, Swede Control Intertek Limited, Lagos, Kayode Olofinmoyin, and Wing Commander Adeyemi Awe (rtd), former Chairman, Ilawe Improvement Union (IPU).

Another indigene, retired Lt. Col. Kayode Olugbade, owner of Command, a popular hotel in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, described the outing as “a major breakthrough for this community.”

Erelu Bisi Fayemi’s arrival excited the crowd. The governor arrived about 40 minutes after his aide, Aderitan said he was on his way.

Highlights of the event included the conferment of chieftaincy titles on some dignitaries. Tambuwal was made the Bobagunwa of Ilawe; Chief Titi Oluwatuyi, the Eyelua of Ilawe and Otunba Henry Ajomale, Chairman, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Lagos State, the Gbobaniyi.

Also honoured for their invaluable services to the community were: Mr. John Jegede who became the Bobajiro and his wife, Yeye Bobajiro. Mr. Babatunde Babalola, the Otunba Bobaselu of Ilawe Ekiti.

Babalola generosity was also hailed by Oba Alabi for his exemplary leadership: “His love for this town and our people is indescribable. He donated N5 million for the planning of this celebration among other contributions. He is a treasure to the community,” he said.

The occasion witnessed the launch of a N500 million ultra-modern Civic Centre, and the presentation of a N2 million sleek car gift to Mr. James Familoni by Chief Yemi Adaramodu, Fayemi’s chief of staff for his impressive community development efforts. Adaramodu gave cash gifts to Mrs. Victoria Adekunle and Mrs. Toyin Akinniyi for being “committed mothers in the community.”

Among those who attended the event were the Deputy Governor, Prof Modupe Adelabu and Speaker of the state Assembly, Dr. Wale Omirin, and Hon Funminiyi Afuye, the Commissioner for Integration and Inter-Governmental Affairs. High Chief Jide Awe, who represented Ajomale; former deputy governor, Alhaji Sikiru Tae Lawal and Director-General, Ekiti State Broadcasting Service, Shina Awelewa, a lawyer.

There was a loud applausee when Tambuwal was invited to take his title. He beamed with smiles in a well-embroidered agbada. His brief address followed. He spoke of the accomplishments of the state under the Fayemi’s administration, saying the progress recorded in the state so far “are too obvious to be denied.”

The Speaker said: “Development is an open process which everyone would see wherever and whenever it takes place. I have been following developments under Governor Fayemi and I can say that he is one of the few Nigerians whose conducts have been commendable. I admonish you (the governor) to continue the good works and the good Lord will continue to be with you.”

He spoke on his chieftaincy title: “I accept this honour and shall never discredit it. I want to inform us that I will build my first house in the Southwest part of this country in Ilawe-Ekiti for the great respect I attach to the honour done me here today.”

Fayemi described Tambuwal as “a leader with whom I am very well pleased.”

“The essence of today’s celebration is to show us a leader in whom the people are well pleased. The monarch has just spent one year on the throne. We can only imagine what the town will become when he marks the tenth year on the throne.”

Oba Alabi said the event would have come up on April 21 but was postponed as a mark of honour for the departed former deputy governor of the state, Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka.

He said: “I thank God Almighty for His blessings on me and the entire Ilawe Kingdom since I ascended the Alawe throne last year. My unanimous choice by the kingmakers to the Alawe stool, a year ago, has marked unprecedented era of unity, cooperation, and an progress in the town. We have enjoyed peace and prosperity within the constraints of the realities of our society.

“In terms of physical development, we thank the state government for the construction of Ilawe roads and other projects it started in the community, including the renovation of all the secondary schools in Ilawe-Ekiti as well as Agbajeola Hall.”

Adaramodu said the event ensured the coming together of indigenes for the town’s development, adding that it equally fostered unity and progress of the town.

During the donation, Falana and Adesina enjoined their kinsmen to sustain peaceful co-existence and join hands with their monarch to lift the community.

Prof Olasunkanmi Emiola and his wife Tinuola have given out their daughter Temitope in marriage to Olufesobi, son of Olutayo and Adebisi Bright at a colourful ceremony in Lagos. NNEKA NWANERI was there

“God has given you a helper as a wife. She will satisfy you with every good thing. The helper is there for you to fulfill God’s purpose of subduing the earth together because two are better than one.”

With those words, Pastor Wale Adeduro of the Milk and Honey Chapter of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Maryland, Lagos, pronounced former Miss Temitope Emiola and Olufesobi Bright as man and wife.

For the families of the lovebirds, it was a joy seeing them take their first step into marital life last Saturday. Two days earlier, they held the traditional wedding. It was a new experience for the couple, who beamed with joy.

Guests were resplendent in their dresses. Yellow and silver were the colours of the day. The church was filled to capacity. All seats were occupied. More chairs were brought in for the guests.

The bride, in her white fitted gown, was led into the church by her father, who wore an agbada of many colours. They walked straight on to the front aisle, where the groom, in a blue suit and white inner shirt waited for them.

The Bible reading was taken from Genesis 18-25. Pastor Adeduro urged that their union is like that between Christ and the church; they both should fulfill God’s purpose on earth by living holy lives and fulfilling God’s word.

The couple was admonished to make mistakes till they learn from those mistakes, he urged family members let their marriage grow.

Soon after signing the marriage register, Temitope took the microphone and joined her choir members and led them in rendering a special number for her husband.

Everyone moved to The Haven Events Centre, Ikeja, for the reception. Just outside it, large banners with pictures of the couple were everywhere in celebration of their love. The hall was breathtaking. The decor was a spectacle. It was large and expansive with all the trappings of a society wedding.

On entry, guests paused and swayed their necks to know if to go left, where the bride’s family dominated with their silver head gears or right, where the groom’s people were stylish in yellow. All the tables were labelled with a nuclear and extended family name. There were about 100 tables which 10 guests each.

The stage was set for the couple alone. The white couch was in the middle. The floor of the stage was rugged with white rug. Guests had a fulfilled day either watching the multi-coloured lightening blinks, or the pictures of the couple, or the bright coloured yellow and silver cloth decoration. The centre walkway was busy with ladies in their high heels and men in their agbada moving up and down in search of their table.

The Lifted Band entertained with good music before the arrival of the event coordinator, MC First Born. There was also an array of comedians: Exclusive and MCs Weird and Cali Bird Ejiro.

With DJ Wolex dishing out indigenous hit songs, the bride Temitope and her beau, danced into the hall. She proved a better dancer than her partner. Then, she stole the show when she, in the midst of her bridesmaids, all kitted in yellow, performed a chorography to the admiration of guests. The groom and his men in ash coloured suits stood and watched agape.

Olufeso provoked laughter when he ran some metres just to get water for his wife. On returning to the stage, he was perspiring and had to take some sips first before giving his wife some and planting a long deep kiss on her lips. The hall erupted in laughter.

The Chairman of the event and Minister for Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga, who said to the couple that marriage to the foolish, is a soil for growing weeds and to the wise, a soil rich for roses.

“It is an institution where you know the full meaning of love and humility. It is in learning that you make mistakes, disagree to agree; but learn from each other,” Aganga said.

He admonished them to be grounded in faith, so that they can move mountains and succumb to challenges and urged guests to pray for the couple.

Prof Emiola had a very emotional slow dance with her daughter before handing her over to her beau. The song beat immediately change to Old school music of Cool and the Gang’s Get Down on it.

Among other side attractions was a special performance by the bride’s younger brother Funbi.

In attendance were: Mrs Funke Adekoya (SAN); former Lagos commissioner for Finance Mr Wale Edun; Mr Jimi Agbaje; former Justice of the Supreme Court, George Oguntade; the Owa Obokun of Ijeshaland Oba Adebisi Aromolaran; Oba Adedokun Thomas, among others.

The remains of Madam Felicia Olubola Aderibigbe, mother of Yinka Aderibigbe of The Nation, have been buried in Modakeke, Osun State. JUDE ISIGUZO reports

As a teacher, the late Madam Felicia Olubola Aderibigbe was loved by many, especially her former pupils. At her funeral, they all came to pay their last respects. The late Mrs Aderibigbe was chorister in her local church till she was 75.

Her journey to the world beyond began about noon that fateful Thursday. The motorcade bearing her body stormed the sleepy town of Modakeke through Mayfair, via Ondo road to Iraye junction. It made a detour into town and moved slowly through Oke-Amola, Kule Street, down to Amuda Oba Street back to Iraye road.

From there, the motorcade moved to Gbogbo Lane home of the deceased’s surviving sister and now matriarch of the family Mrs Felicia Folashade Afolabi. A band of undertakers gaily dressed in brown Ankara took over, carrying the casket from the hearse, amid dancing to the 5, Osun Lane home of the deceased and the relations, who had been gathering since the previous day.

The casket was finally carried into the living room which was tastefully decorated in brown and gold for the lying-in state. The casket was opened for people to catch a last glimpse. Tears flowed freely as people beheld her remains.

Even the cleric couldn’t help being emotional. Though none wept, all the six officiating clerics at the wake service spoke glowingly of the deceased’s virtues, humility and commitment to the faith.

The Dean of the Cathedral of St Stephen, Ven. Prof. Akin Ige, whose wife was one of Mama Aderibigbe’s pupils at St Stephen’s B, Modakeke in the early 60s said: “Despite being my wife’s former teacher, (she taught my wife in Primary Three), Mama was very humble, calling her mummy, and always ready to help move the work of God forward. She was not pushy, always very caring, and willing even to part with the little she had if only to make someone else happy. She was so devoted to her husband (also of blessed memory), and always ready to counsel women especially those facing challenges in their marriage to work through such with prayers,” Ige said.

For Revd Wale Adeleke, the Cathedral Chaplain, Mama Aderibigbe was a lesson in commitment. “As the vicar of one of our branches close to her house, for many years, I tried to convert her to start attending the church, but she would make me realise she and her husband had vowed not to change from attending the Cathedral. I was always visiting them, and each time, I marvel at the kind of love that existed between the two of them that has defied age,” he said.

The next day, the two sons of the late Madam Aderibigbe, Funso Adewale, an Assistant Director in the Ministry of Education, Abuja and Adeyinka Olumide Aderibigbe, led other relations among who were Prof. Anthony Dele Afolabi, of the Department of General Studies and a former Dean of Students Affairs, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, the Chairman Ayedaade Local Government Area, Gbongan, Osun State, Evangelist Nathaniel Olusoji Arabambi, Mrs Olubanke Olubunmi Olaleye, a retired Apex Nursing Officer of the Mushin Local Government Area, Lagos, Dr. Modupeola Oyesiji, of the Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja, Mr Olayiwola Adejumo, Mr Seye Adesigbin, Mrs Ronke Omotosho, a Vice-Principal and Mr Patrick Kayode Afolabi, a businessman, among several others, to the entrance of the church.

Also on hand at the main entrance, were the Adesigbin led by Mama’s direct sibling Pa Abel Oluboye Adesigbin, Mr Banwo Adesigbin, a retired principal, Mr Lawrence Olarewaju, and others family members from the Oloje compound of Ode-Omu, as well as their children and associates who accompanied the remains of their sister.

The brown casket bearing the remains of Mama Choir was received by the college of clergy, who after some pronouncements accepted it into the church, signalling the commencement of the funeral service.

Led by the dean, each cleric prayed for the repose of the deceased and the church’s choir took turn to render a special anthem in memory of their late member, whose tenor voice they admitted they would sorely miss.

But the church shook and everyone was left with wet eyes when members of the Young Women Progressive Society. (YWPS), a group she co-founded with other young women in the 60s, took the microphone to render their special number in memory of their departed heroine.

They, thereafter, had a replacement for mama in the group, as Mrs Aderonke Aderibigbe was announced and warmly received by the association’s leadership.

During the funeral service, Revd Adeleke, said there is hope in resurrection because Christ had died and risen. He added that all those who died in Christ did not die, but slept and there is hope that they all shall be woken up at the last day to partake in the glories of beholding the father.

Adeleke urged everyone to prepare for the end journey as procrastination might be costly.

He said though Mama was a devoted Christian, she became more committed to God when she had a personal encounter with God, over two decades ago, adding that this encounter was responsible for the recommitment she made all through her life.

Adeleke charged the congregation, particularly the family and children of the deceased to take heart, knowing that their matriarch and one of the pillars of faith in the church had gone to rest in the bosom of her maker.

The family had a thanksgiving service shortly thereafter and the clergymen led the closing procession out of the church for the interment which took place at Alabameta, the church’s cemetery in the outskirts of the town.

Modakeke’s typical hospitality was on high display at the reception which took place much later in the day on the playground of St Francis Catholic Primary School, Iraye, where a musical group manned the band stand.

The town emptied itself unto the field as they took their seat under the presidential canopy that provided a shelter from the sweltering sun and many had a feel of the hospitality of the grassroots people of Modakeke in the assorted foods and drinks to wet throat of the famished.