Industrialist and philanthropist, Chief Razak Okoya is 80. His birthday celebration drew the bigwigs in. Oladapo Sofowora reports.

As you arrived the gigantic colonnade of the ‘Oluwa Ni Shola’ mansion, the ambiance was indeed a welcoming sight. Littered around the spacious compound were big portraits of the celebrator.

The trees around were woven with several lightings, even as white, green, red and gold-coloured decoration garnished the arena.

Chief Razak Okoya was 80 and Lagos bigwigs turned up to celebrate him at his residence. The red carpet walkway, synthetic grass on the floor, marble tables and beautiful cushion chairs added glamour to the occasion.

Decked in fitted all white Agbada attire, the ‘birthday boy’ Okoya and his beautiful wife Sade stole the hearts of guests as they walked majestically into the event. It was in pure joy that he went about greeting guests.

A-list comedians, Gbenga Adeyinka and Tee A, were the host of the night.

The music heavyweights

The event won’t be forgotten in a hurry. Three legends of the juju music all performed on one stage. This was after Beejay Sax opened the stage performing jazz tunes with his saxophone before the event was officially declared open by the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo.

The trio were Prof Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi, King Sunny Ade and Sir Shina Peters. Obey performed first – he literally brought back memories of the old days with his songs.  He serenaded the audience with his voice and got every guests dancing for over an hour.

The performances of the KSA and Peters were equally electrifying. The juju maestro himself KSA showed as the saying goes that “a King does not need to announce his arrival but, his aura will announce his arrival”.

KSA showed that music for him is inborn. He lit up the atmosphere with his classics, praise singing guests with much gusto.

Also, Mayegun of Yoruba Land and King of Fuji Music, Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde followed with a blistering performance. Bobo, as he is fondly called, was in top form.

The younger generation present enjoyed HipHop music sensation Davido who mounted the stage. As he performed hit tracks, the crowd roared on top of their voices.

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Immediately after, Sir Peters also showed the world that he is still in tune with the current trend. He serenaded the audience and everyone rocked to his songs.

Although Peters was celebrating the 60th birthday of his wife Sammie Peters that same day, he had to attend Okoya’s birthday due to his filial relationship with the celebrator, according to him.

To wrap up the musical performance, Apala sensation Musiliu Haruna Ishola dished out tunes from his indigenous Apala genre of music. His drummers, percussionists, talking drummers were all in top form, and delivered in full.

The gigantic birthday cake

The birthday cake is one of a kind, with jaw dropping creative pattern. Measuring 3ft by 4ft, the cake was baked with the prototype of the Eleganza factory building plan design.

The cutting of the cake was coordinated by the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, flanked by the celebrant, his wife, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Otunba Subomi Balogun, All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Dr. Oba Otudeko and a host of others.

Roll Call

In attendance were Governor of Lagos State Babajide Sanwo-olu, Deputy Governor of Lagos Obafemi Hamzat, Speaker Lagos House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Mudashiru Obasa, Chairman Channels TV John Momoh, Former Lagos Firstlady Bolanle Ambode, Former Delta State Governor James Ibori, Kola Abiola, Former Ogun State Governor Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun, Kemi Nelson, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, Chairman CAC Demola Seriki, Segun Awolowo, Founder of First City Monument Bank Omoba Subomi Balogun, Chairman Gibraltar Construction Sir Olu Okeowo, Chairman Premier Lotto Chief Adebutu Kessington, Osile OkeOna of Egba Land Oba Adedapo Tejuosho, Senator Lanre Tejuosho, Former Ogun State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, Chief Emeka Ayonku, Former Lagos Deputy Governor Femi Pedro, Former Osun State Governor Chief Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Chairman Honeywells Dr Oba Otudeko, Nigeria High commissioner to the United Kingdom Justice Adesola Oguntade, Dr. Samuel Adedoyin, Former Lagos state Firstlady Dame Abimbola Fashola, Chief Alex Duduyemi, Former Oyo State Governor Otunba Alao Akala, Bosun Oredola, Prof. Pat Utomi, Erelu Abiola Dosumu, Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, Minister of Trade and Industry Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Dr (Mrs) Onikipo Akande, Senator Daisy Danjuma,President  Dangote Group,Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Oba Ikate land Oba Saheed Elegushi, Dr. Sunny Kuku, Firstlady Ekiti State Erelu Bisi Fayemi, Former Ogun State Governor Senator Ibikunle and Funsho Amosun, Former Lagos Deputy Governor Princess Sarah Adebisi Sosan, Former Ogun State Deputy Governor Alhaja Salmot Badru, Minister of Information and Culture Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Managing Director Fidelity Bank Nnmadi Okonkwo, Dr Sam Iwajoku, Hon. Shina Peller, Chairman Sodium Group Abisoye Fagade, Chairman Fisolak Global Resource Princess Toyin Kolade, Former Vice Chancellor OAU Prof Wale Omole, Hajia  Bola Shagaya, Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Dolapo Badmus, Former Chairman First Bank Bisi Onasanya, Publisher of Ovation Magazine Bashorun Dele Momodu, Media Icon Bisi Olatilo, Hon.Funmi Tejuosho, Mother Esther Abimbola, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, Activist Joe Odumakin and a host of others.