Category: Society

The  Lesi and Somolu families have become one following the wedding of their children, Olugboyega and Oreoluwa, in Lagos. OLATUNDE ODEBIYI reports.

The day of the week was no hindrance to the guests who came from far and wide to rejoice with the Lesi and Somolu families when their children Olugboyega and Oreoluwa got married. Olugboyega is the son of the late Prof and Princess Foluso Lesi. Oreoluwa is the daughter of Mr and Dr Foluseke Somolu.

The wedding took place on Wednesday, April 30, at the Ruby Gardens on Lekki/Epe Express Way, Lekki in Lagos.

Guests looked resplendent in traditional, formal and dinner wears. Some of those from the bride’s family wore forest green lace with gold head gear and cap. Those from the groom’s side donned royal blue lace with red head gear and cap.

Oreoluwa came in a silver Prado  Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV); Olugbenga used a black Prado.

Oreoluwa looked elegant in her white flowing gown. She entered the hall with her father. All guests stood as they entered amid the hymn, “Give you more” by J. Moss and “Great is thy faithfulness”.

They moved to the front where the groom, Olugboyega, in a Navy blue suit, was standing with Pastor Carlton Williams of the High Life Church, Lekki.

Pastor Williams read from the book of Ephesians 3:21. He told the bride to submit to her husband and urged Olugboyega to love Oreoluwa.

He urged them to do everything in their power to see that the union worked.

The couple exchanged marital vows and rings following which they signed the marriage register.

Pastor Williams told the couple that their love and faith in God would keep them going. He said they must always wear the ring, adding that it is a reminder of their love and faith in each other.

He prayed for them and presented them as husband and wife.

The congregation stood and clapped as the recessional hymn “God give us Christian homes” was taken.

Guests moved to the big hall of Ruby Gardens for the reception.

The hall was filled; some guests sat outside under a tent.

A bevy of women clad in bronze dress and flat black shoes led guests to comfortable seats.

There was a lot to eat and drink.

Helen Paul a.k.a. Tatafo was the Master of Ceremony (M.C.). Faith Music entertained guests.

The arrival of  the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, who chaired the occasion, caused a stir. He entered in the company of his chiefs amid trumpeting and chanting of his praises.

The couple danced in with their friends and family members to songs from ATTE Disk Jockey (D.J.).

The entourage formed a big circle at the centre stage and the couple danced in their middle for about 10 minutes.

Oba Gbadebo led the guests to observe a minute silence for the groom’s late parents.

He prayed that their marriage would be a blessing.

He told the couple that God must always be in their marriage, adding that they must spend time to pray together always.

“There are no rules for any marriage but it is the duty of the two of you to write out how you will conduct your own affairs. Do not share different rooms no matter how big your home is, complement your wife at all times, do not economise the good things you see about her and never make her feel unwanted,” he said.

He told the wife that Olugboyega is the head of the home and he has no permission to be the head, saying: “Permit him to do anything he wants to do whenever and wherever he wants to do it. He should kiss you anywhere in the body and anywhere in the house; he should grab you any where he sees you”.

“A man never accepts that he is old for anything; men are always ready. Women, never make your husband feel that he is not wanted. As a married couple, you must do everything not to let the fun get out of both of you because that is where problem starts in every marriage; when the woman says she is tired or the man says he is busy all the time”.

He supervised the cutting of the four step cream and green cake at the spelling of JESUS.

The couple fed each other and had their first official dance. The toast followed; it was led by the groom’s friend, Ayo Akinloye.

The groom said he was glad that he now has a new set of parents.

“From the first day I met the Somolu family, I knew there would be no one else to raise a perfect woman into my life,” he said.

He led the guests to observe a minute silence for his late sister-in-law, Ayoola Somolu

The bride’s father, Mr Foluseke Somolu, urged the couple to continue to love each other. He urged them to build a home and ensure that they kept their problems to themselves.

Dr Olatokunbo Somolu told the couple to be tolerant, understanding and patient with each other.

Representative of the groom’s father Mr Olabode Ogunlana, an insurance magnate, urged the couple not to shun the advice given to them during the wedding.

“Follow all the counselling we have been giving you since you agreed to get married to each other and all will be well,” he said.

Pa Zacheous Adedayo Ogundeko and wife, Florence, parents of Mr Segun Ogundeko, a director in the Legal Department of the Lagos State House of Assembly,  have celebrated their 100th and 93rd birthdays. The event took place at Aladeshoyin Hall in Noforija, Epe in Lagos State. OLATUNDE ODEBIYI reports.

IT was a rare twin birthday celebrations. The husband was celebrating 100 years and the wife, 93. Pa Zacheous Adedayo Ogundeko and his wife, Florence, turned 100 and 93 on April 26. Their Epe, Lagos State hometown stood still that day as they celebrated their birthdays. The Centenarian was a teacher and store keeper at Kingsway Store in Ibadan, the  Oyo State capital in his younger days. He also loved teaching,  reading, prompting him to establish his own private lesson in Ibadan where he was referred to as “Baba lesson” (Father of lesson).

His wife, an industrious woman is fondly called “Iya Olole” (Mother of beans cake). She was certified as a food vendor in Oyo State; she supplied food to various schools on daily basis.

April 26 was a joyful day for the Ogundekos. The Aladeshoyin Hall in Noforija Epe, where they marked their birthdays brimmed with guests.

The hall was decorated in blue and white. Most of the guests wore the blue Ankara fabric chosen for the occasion.

Guests were treated to both continental and local dishes and drinks.

The celebrators wore the same white traditional attire with blue cap/head gear to match.

The celebrators sat beside each other, with their children, Femi and Sesan and Gbenga  on the front row.

Many came at intervals to exchange pleasantries with them.

The celebration began with praise and worship. It was led by the Choir of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Revival Centre, Poka, Noforija, Epe. They took the hymn: “E fi ogo fun Oluwa”.

Pastor Paul Oluganna of CAC, Aiyepe-Ijebu in Ogun State, in his sermon, described the celebrators as people committed to the work of God.

“They took good care of their children and brought them up in the way of the Lord,” he said.

He told the congregation to live in accordance with the will of God.

The choir sang a special anthem and some of the songs that Baba loves to sing, including; “Awa ju eniti o segun lo,” Apata ayeraye”, “Fi ibukun fun Oluwa iwo okan mi.”

Thanksgiving followed.

The couple cut their birthday cakes at the spelling of JESUS.  They sat behind the blue and white colour cakes.  One was in the shape of 100 and the other 93. Family members, relatives and friends took turn to take photographs with them.

An elated Pa Ogundeko  thanked God for sparing his life to see the day.

Mama was grateful and thanked God for her life and that of her husband and family.

“I give God all the glory for keeping me and my husband alive till this day. It has not been by our power but by the mercy of God.

“I trust God to keep us healthy till He will take us home,” she said.

She joined the guests on the dance floor and she was sprayed new naira notes.

Mr Sesan Ogundeko, a director in the Legal Department of Lagos State House of Assembly described his parents as caring, good and nice.

“They brought us up well, struggled to make us what we are today and spent all their life on the children and other peoples’ children,” he said.

He said his dad’s love for teaching made all his children to go the extra mile in reading and that made them to excel.

“My mum is a disciplinarian. If you don’t wake up by 4am, she will beat you and throw things at you until you are awake.

“Even though we were only two left out of about 11 or 12 children that my mum gave birth to, she will not spare the rod on us.

He prayed that they should remain healthy.

Mr Gbenga Ogundeko described his parents as pillars of the family, who support their children with prayers.

Prof Wasiu Olowu said the celebrators are his maternal parents, adding that they are everything to him.

“Words cannot express what they mean to me because they are my all,” he said.

Mrs Adewumi Ogundeko, a daughter-in-law said, the celebrators have been wonderful in-laws to her.

“Mama keeps no secret from me, I love her and she is the best. She treats me just like her own children and she stayed in my house for several years taking care of my children. Mama is wonderful and awesome, I love her so much for her care and she is ever ready to help and support,” she said.

Mr Femi Ogundeko described his parents as disciplinarians.

He said they are devout Christians, who still fast despite their age. He thanked God for their lives.

Mr Adeshina Adebanjo whose mother is a sister to Pa Ogundeko said he wished the celebrators good health.

Adeyinka Adebanjo Okunade, a granddaughter, described her grandparents as easy going people.

“They love their grand children and like talking to them, showing them the way to go. I wish them many more years in good health,” he said.

Aduragbemi Ogundeko, a grandson, thanked God for the celebrators, life.

Dignitaries at the event include: the Aladeshoyin of Noforija Kingdom, Epe-Lagos, Oba Babatunde Ogunlaja; Alade Uraka of Poka land; Oba Aare Kolawole Aleru and their chiefs; lawmakers, heads of departments and members of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

The ‘biggest’ mosque in Southwest was opened last Sunday in Aiyepe Ijebu in Ogun State. Sultan of Sokoto and Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar and Awujale of Ijebuland Oba Sikiru Adetona led other dignitaries to the event. TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO was there.

When he received the invitation to the opening of the mosque, Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, was reported to have said: “A mosque of this magnitude, if I’m still alive on that day, I will be there.”

The Sultan kept his promise. He was in Aiyepe-Ijebu in Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State last Sunday for the opening of the biggest mosque in the Southwest – the Aiyepe Central Mosque – which can accommodate no fewer than 5,000 worshippers.

The edifice brought glory to the town, placing it on the world map for tourists to visit.

Touted as the biggest in the Southwest, the inauguration of the mosque drew many dignataries, including Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun and his Osun State counterpart, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona and others to the town.

The Sultan’s and Awujale’s arrival marked the beginning of the event.

“Visitors” dubbed the event as a ‘carnival.’ To the indigenes, it was the celebration of another Aiyepe Day.

The event attracted Islamic scholars and Chief Imams from the Southwest and Edo State. They were led by Sheikh Mustapha Ajisafe, President-General, Council of Chief Imams and Alfas in Southwest and Edo/Delta.

Royal fathers were also there in large number.

It was a day of cultural displays with the Yoruba and the Hausa showcasing the best of their culture.

The Yoruba shone in Agbada, buba and sokoto; the Hausa capped their dresses with turban.

The Yoruba proudly employed Gangan and Iya Ilu – talking drums – to praise their monarchs, the Hausa responded with  Kakaaki – long flute.

The crowd yelled in response to the show of culture and brotherhood and chanted Allahu Akbar (Allah is the greatest!).

Religious tolerance, the hallmark of the Southwest, was also on display . The Aiyepe-Ijebu Christians, came in their numbers to celebrate with their Muslim brothers. They embraced one another to the delight of the gathering.

An elated Oba Adetona enthused: “This is our culture; this is what gives us pride and we cannot thank Allah enough for the peaceful co-existence between different tribes and religious sects.

“There is no house or family in the Southwest that you do not have Muslims and Christians as members of the household, and we live in peace; we do not discriminate because we are brothers,” he said.

Amosun, who could not contain his delight at the structure, promised to liaise with Imams in Egbaland to see how they could replicate such a gigantic edifice in their domain.

Ogbeni Aregbesola described the mosque as a great development for Islam and Muslims.

The duo, went round to exchange pleasantries with the low and the mighty.

The gathering was impressed with their gesture.

The three-hour event started on a prayer note. It featured recitation from the Holy Quran, keynote address, soul-inspiring lecture and prayers for the nation.

In his welcome address, Aiyepe Muslim Community Chairman Alhaji Musibau Oyefeso described the mosque as one of the biggest in the country. He said it was built on a land area of 30,000-square metres with the mosque covering 6,400-square metres and ablution centre on 850-square metres.

Began in 1987, the over 5,000-worshipper capacity mosque, according to Oyefeso, is worth N2 billion.

“It is, indeed, a great honour and privilege for me to welcome you all to this historic event representing a major milestone in the life of Aiyepe Community and Ogun State in general. It is a well known fact that Aiyepe is predominantly populated by Muslims who in so many ways have demonstrated their unusual love for the practice of Islam. This edifice before us all is a testimony to that fact,” he said.

Oyefeso hailed those who pioneered the project in October 1987 and saluted those who  completed it.

Oba Adetona, who chaired the occasion, congratulated Aiyepe people for the  initiative. The mosque, he said, is another testament to the great things happening in Ijebuland.

“It is rare to see a community in this country with this kind of structure. May Allah bless those behind this project, especially the late Prince Shafi Shittu and the late Alhaji Salabiu Ladejobi. Like the name of this town Oju aye pe si aaye yii (the world eyes are here),” he said.

The monarch praise Sultan Abubakar for his efforts at uniting Muslims and ensuring peaceful co-existence with non-Muslims.

Delivering an address on the Importance of Mosque NSCIA Secretary-General Prof Ishaq Oloyede said a mosque is not only a worship centre but a place of learning.

“The mosque is also a temporary accommodation for visitors to any town, a court of law, centre of socialisation and training centre. We are not surprised that the first university in the world started in the mosque,” he said.

Islamic scholar Sheikh Muyideen Ajani Bello, in his lecture, enjoined the community to remain united.

Aregbesola said: “If not that Makkan Mosque is bigger and has more reward to pray than other mosques in the world, I would have come here to perform I’tikaf (seclusion in the mosque for the last 10 days of Ramadan). But we all know that mosque is bigger than mosque,” he said.

Amosun praised Mr Biodun Sobanjo, a Christian, who donated N1 million during the fund raiser for the maintenance of the mosque.

“Though you are Omo Alhaja, you have demonstrated that whether you are a Muslim or Christian, we are one,” he said.

He congratulated Oba Adetona for witnessing the opening of the mosque which foundation he laid 27 years ago.

After inaugurating the mosque, Sultan Abubakar led the Jama’ah (congregation) in Zuhr prayer.

Afterwards, the large gathering was entertained with various cuisines including Ijebu dishes – Ebiripo and Egusi soup.

A prince of Leyo Ruling House in Ondo, Dr Seyi Roberts, has given his daughter, Princess Morounke, in marriage to Oluwasegun, son of Prince of  Otileta Ruling House in Owu,Abeokuta, Ogun State. The solemnisation took place at the Anglican Church for all Nations on Victoria Island, Lagos. OLATUNDE ODEBIYI reports.

The wedding was classic. A display of exotic cars; a show of beautiful traditional attires, formal and dinner outfits.

It was the wedding of  Princess Morounke, daughter of Dr Seyi Roberts of the Leyo Rulling House in Ondo and Prince Oluwasegun, son of Prince Olusunmade Akin-Olugbade of the Owu, Otileta Ruling House in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Guests came from far and wide to share in the couple’s joy.

The service was held at Church of the Resurrection, 1004 Flats on Victoria Island, Lagos.

Amid the opening hymn, “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty,” the bride entered the hall with her father. The groom was already in the church dressed in a dark grey long suit with white shirt.

Venerable Yinka Akinlade was the officiating minister.

Venerable Segun Ladehinde of the Cathedral Church of Christ in Marina, Lagos, in his sermon urged the couple to love each other.

He told their parents to stay off the couple’s  affairs.

After the sermon, the church choir led the hymn, “Trust and obey,” after which Venerable Muyiwa Oyewole joined the couple in holy matrimony and blessed them.

The wedding continued with the signing of the marriage register, taking of the Holy Communion and thanksgiving.

The clerics later took photographs with the couple and the choir led the closing hymn “To God be the glory” .

Outside the church, the couple’s parents, familiy members and friends took turns to take pictures with them.

The wedding train moved to the Federal Palace Hotel on Victoria Island, Lagos, for the reception.

The hall was covered in blue with white fabric and lights design on the wall. Chairs were set round tables.

Guests looked gorgeous in choice outfits. A bevy of beautiful women dressed in white attire led guests to their seats.

The couple’s fathers were the first to be called into the hall together with family members and friends. The mothers came in next.

The couple arrived at the venue in a cream Rolls Royce.

The reception kicked off on their arrival. They were ushered in by the bridal train of about nine women and nine men. The chief bride’s maid wore a long brown dress while the other women were on uniformed blue long dress of different styles. The men wore long dark grey suit.

The bride was all smiles, looking elegant in her flowing gown.

They danced to their reserved seats, to music supplied by World Class Disk Jockey (DJ).

Akinsope Robert and Dr Leke Osunniyi anchored the event.

Pastor Yinka Ahove said the opening prayer.

Chairman on the occasion, Mr George Etomi, urged the couple to let God be the foundation of their marriage.

He told the groom never to forget Princess’ birthday, nor tell her that he loves or prefers another woman and to ensure that he wears the wedding ring always.

The couple moved to the cake stand. They cut the cake at the spelling of L-O-V-E and fed each other.

The bride’s father, Dr Roberts, told the guests his reaction the first time he met Segun.

He said Segun is the son of his  friend adding that this, confirmed  that Segun is his son too and there was no need for further investigation on the man his daughter brought home.

Ayodele Ojerinola, a friend to the groom, described Segun as his longest standing friend that brought him back to Nigeria after 17 years.

Segun went on his knees before his bride and sang a special song for her – “All for love”- by Bryan Adam. Princess smiled all through.

After the song, he told the guests that Princess was behind all his achievements, adding: “She is everything to me.”

He looked into her eyes and said: ‘I love you’ sealing it with kisses.

The event continued with the bridal dance.

The couple’s parents took turns to dance with the bride and her groom after which the couple had their dance alone.

Mr Akinbo Akin-Olugbade proposed the toast.

The throwing of the bouquet saw spinsters in dinner dress and high heels scrambling to catch the flower. Together with the bride, they danced in uniformed steps before she threw it.

The event continued with dancing to rhythms by Faith Music Life band.

The groom’s father, Prince Akin-Olugbade, wished the couple a happy married life. He described his son as a brilliant and hard working young man who has passion to design and build cars.

Roberts urged them to continue to love each other.

Present were: The Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Victor Kiladejo; wife of the former Kwara State Governor, Mrs Toyin Saraki and Managing Director, The Guardian, Mrs Maiden Alex Ibru, among others.