The Nation Newspaper

Tag: cheers

  • 50 hearty cheers to a princess

    50 hearty cheers to a princess

    Last Saturday, family members and friends joined Princess Florence Ibukunolu Atobatele at The Truth Christian Mission Inc., in Abule-Egba, Lagos to celebrate her 50th birthday. AMIDU ARIJE was there.

    The hall of the Truth Christian Mission Inc. in Abule Egba, Lagos, was tastefully decorated for the 50th birthday celebration of Princess Florence Ibukunolu Atobatele.

    Princess Atobatele wore a cream lace with purple head gear and matching shoes.

    Her husband, Prince Supo Atobatele, who was in white Danshiki and purple cap, ensured everything went well.

    The celebrator welcomed guests with hugs and waved to others.

    While guests waited for the commencement of the ceremony, many were seen cracking jokes with others engaging in private talks.

    There was no dull moment. The life band of The Musik-Gen Band thrilled the gathering with melodious songs.  It was, indeed, an unforgettable experience for guests.

    The event began with hymns.

    It was followed by an opening prayer by Pastor Israel Adesoye.

    Princess Atobatele was ushered to the podium amid dancing by family members and friends

    Their entry had some wondering if it was a wedding. She was welcomed by her husband who was already seated. He stood up to join them on the dancing floor. His dancing steps amazed everyone present.

    Masters of ceremony, Pastors Wale Omoloju and Kola Akinola ensured that everything went as planned.

    General Overseer, The Truth Christian Mission Inc. Rev Olatunde Shoyemi was the chairman of occasion. He also delivered a speech. He spoke on the topic ‘Do we have to celebrate birthday’.

    Rev Shoyemi said that celebrating birthday is not as sinful as it is being perceived in some quarters. Birthday, he said, is to appreciate God and take stock of one’s activities in life.

    “Celebrating birthday is not evil, because what they are doing is to give thanks to God for sparing their lives,” he said.

    Rev Shoyemi prayed for long life and prosperity for the celebrator.

    A group of entertainers, the Destiny Boys, added to the joy of the day with their brilliant musical performance. They thrilled everyone.

    Musical interludes continued as another musical group, Solution, came to the fore to entertain the guests with beautiful rendition.

    The Managing Director, The Nation, Mr Victor Ifijeh, supervised the cutting of the cake.

    He described the celebrator as marvellous and beautiful.

    “A beautiful celebrant about to cut a beautiful cake and it is marvellous in our eyes,” he said.

    He reminded the gathering the purpose for the gathering saying: “50 solid years is what we are celebrating here today”

    Ifijeh described the retirement of the celebrator from her nursing job before 60 as glorious and a thing of joy.

    “To know that you retired gloriously before 60 is a thing of joy; you have just begun; your star will shine from glory to glory.

    At the count of JESUS, the two layers gold cake was cut by the celebrator and her husband.

    All posed for pictures with the cake.

    A toast to the celebrator was made by the Special Assistant to the Director-General of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) on Special Duties, Mr Sotin Babatunde.

    He described her as peace-loving and gentle woman. ‘For she is a jolly good fellow, so say all of us, hip hip hurray,’ he sang as the toast was made.

    The celebrator described the day as joyful and exciting. She thanked God for sparing her life.

    Prince Atobatele  wished her long life and prosperity as he described her as a perfect woman who loves peace.

  • 67 cheers to a loving father

    67 cheers to a loving father

    A reception was held at Mende Town Hall in Maryland, Lagos, following a thanksgiving service at St Agnes Catholic Church, last Sunday, to celebrate the 67th birthday of Managing Partner, Tony May Foundation, Mr Andrew Otokhina, and the call to Bar of two of his children, Winifred and Anne. OLATUNDE ODEBIYI reports.

    It was a day of thanksgiving for the Managing Partner, Tony May Foundation and Principal Partner, Otokhina and Co., Legal Practitioners, Mr Andrew Otokhina. He turned 67 last Sunday and also celebrated the call to Bar of two of his children, Winifred and Anne. The ceremony was held at Mende Town Hall in Maryland, Lagos following a thanksgiving service at St Agnes Catholic Church.

    It was a gathering of family and friends who turned out in choice traditional outfits. The celebrator and his wife wore purple and grey native.

    The hall was decorated in gold and purple with lights hung on the wall. The Managing Partner, Phoenix Core Ltd, Chijoke Ezeh, anchored the event.

    A retired engineer from Shell Oil, Sam Omobhude, chaired the occasion. He led the opening prayers.

    Mrs Titilayo Akinlanown (SAN) welcomed guests. She congratulated the celebrator on his birthday and welcomed the Winifred and Anne into the legal profession.

    Omobhude described the celebrator as a man of integrity and strong will. He also a generous man, he added.

    Omobhude supervised the cutting of the cake, which was cut after the spell of JESUS.

    One of the lawyers celebrating their call into bar, Winifred, said she was happy for the achievement. She described her father as caring and wonderful.

    “He has been always there and I wish him long life. He is very proud of his children, saying he is always there for them.

    A lawyer, Odion Esezoobor, the Managing Partner of J. Odion Esezoobor, a law firm delivered a lecture. He spoke on the topic, “Immunity or impurity”.

    He urged lawyers, police and our leaders among other professions to ensure purity in whatever they do.

    He said the problem of Nigeria was because some people were being as they were above the law, adding, we can’t go far if this continues.

    He said impurity takes place at all levels of government, noting that the law of impurity in Nigeria has to be reviewed.

    Executive Director, Genotype Foundation, Doris Gbemiloye, said the celebrator is a man that has compassion for the people.

    She described him as a very gentle man, soft spoken. He knows what he wants and what he is doing; he goes for what he wants and he is a man of principle, she added.

    The celebrator said he felt and gave thanks to God because his life journey had been wonderful. He said he aspired for long life to do charity.

    His wife, Mrs Edith, described her husband as good, caring and a loving husband that words are not enough to qualify him. She said she wished him long life, prosperity, privileged to enjoy the fruit, of his labour and all the good things he desires.

    “He is a supportive man even in the midst of troubles in the family, he gives me and the children courage at all times,” she said.

  • Cheers to the golden boy

    Chairman, Committee on Energy and Mineral Resources and Waterfront Infrastructure Development of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon Lanre Ogunyemi clocked 50 last Saturday. He celebrated with friends and family members. NNEKA NWANERI reports.

    With praise and thanksgiving, he stepped into the golden age. The chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Energy and Mineral Resources and Waterfront Infrastructure Development Hon Lanre Ogunyemi was full of gratitude to God for his life.

    Ogunyemi, who represents Ojo constituency, said: “I am nothing without Him who formed me.”

    The atmosphere at the K and G centre, where the reception was held was calm. If not for the dainty cars parked by the road side on Kudirat Abiola way, nobody would have known that such a big event was on.

    It was a two in one celebration. Ogunyemi;s 50th birthday and book presentation.

    The entry of the celebrator with his wife and children, all decked in blue Yoruba attire, dancing their way to the front of the hall, kick-started the programme. Well-wishers followed them.

    The Chief Imam of Oto-Awori, Taofiq Arogundade said the opening prayers; gospel saxophonist, Rev Kunle Ajayi, played scintillating praise and worship tunes.

    Daughter of the celebrator, Ayomide also did a special number for her father with the trumpet.

    Chairman of the occasion Oba Olatunji Hamzat described Ogunyemi since year 2000, as a loyal and disciplined Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), member and urged those who want to succeed in politics to emulate the lawmaker.

    The book was reviewed by Prof Olu Akinusola of the Michael Otedola College of Education. He said the book is in the prosaic and narrative style and on dedicated to the former Governor Bola Tinubu.

    Akinusola, who has been friend with the author for over 30 years, said many thought the celebrator will be a professor.

    The book was presented by deputy speaker of the House, Hon Musbau Taiwo.

    Many described Ogunyemi in superlative terms. The celebrator’s wife, Yemisi was full of praises for him.

    “Oloworimi, the man I met 19 years ago and every day, I know new things about him. And because he never takes no for an answer, he has impacted positively on my life.”

    More accolades came from Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, who praised Ogunyemi for not turning his back on his political family.

    Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Dr Aderanti Adebule described Ogunyemi; as an honest man who keeps to his word.

    “He does not turn from his word, very passionate about the growth of the party. So, this is just the beginning of more successes in life.”

    Hon Ogunyemi studied at the Lagos State College of Education where he read English and holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Lagos State University. He is also a member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and holds a Masters in International and Strategic Studies.

    After he cut the birthday cake, Majority Leader Lola Akande proposed the toast. She described the celebrator as amiable and tolerant.

    The celebrator thanked his mother and late father for protecting him in the 60s in Kaduna during the Civil War.

    The Ijebu born politician thanked his wife. “She was with me even when I was nothing. She believed in me and even as a classroom teacher, she stood by me,” Ogunyemi said.

    With talented gospel maestro, Yinka Ayefele on the bandstand, there was no dull moment as guests took to the dance floor till late into the night.

    In attendance were: Cardinal James Odumbaku aka Baba Eto; Secretary to Osun State Government Alhaji Moshood Adeoti; Hon Bisi Yusuf; Commissioners Taofiq Tijani; (Energy); Cornelius Ojelabi (Rural Development) Lagos State Lateef Ibirogba (Information); Mr Sunny Ajose; State Organising Secretary of ACN, Alhaji Shakiru Akani; the Onijanikin of Ijanikin Kabiyesi Momodu Ashafa; Hon Alawiye King; State Secretary of ACN, Hon Charles Odubesi; Special Adviser to the governor on Education Hon Fatai Olukoga; wife of the Speaker of the House, Mrs Mayowa Ikuforiji, among others.

  • Obi’s wife cheers up kids

    Obi’s wife cheers up kids

    Memories of the Yuletide will linger in the minds of children in Anambra State because the wife of the state governor, Mrs Margaret Peter Obi had a date with them.

    They were not disappointed even though security agents spoilt the fun for many of them.

    Over 4,000 gathered for the celebration even though only 2,000 were budgeted for. They besieged Women Development Centre, Awka venue of the party.

    Mrs Obi encouraged them to be of good behaviour, announcing that the state government has banned special centres for external examinations as they are ruining education.

    “We thank our governor, His Excellency, Mr Peter Obi for giving back the schools to the churches so that children can understand their family background, morals, Igbo language, and values that make them Igbo children,” she said.

    The governor’s wife said the event was staged to provide care, support and appreciate children. She pledged to sustain her educational scholarship programmes for children especially the talented ones, and encourage them in sports.

    “We have 30 disadvantaged and vulnerable children, 30 widows in each of the 179 communities in the state which we are assisting in making life more meaningful,” she said.

    The state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Lady Henrietta Agbata said the occasion was to thank God with children, including the less privileged ones, for all that He has been doing.

    She averred that the objective is to make children part of government, adding that the programme started since the inception of Governor Obi’s administration. She thanked staff in her ministry for the excellent organisation of the event but blamed the little hitches on human error and ssome overzealousness when not necessary.

    Chairman, House Committee on Women Affairs , Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon Rebecca Udoji-Paragon described the Christmas party as an avenue for children to know themselves better and for those in the rural areas to mix up with their counterparts in the city.

    On his part, the Director of Child Development in the Ministry, Mr. Emeka Ejide said the programme was an avenue to interact with children and know challenges which will form part of the policy statement for child development in the state. He informed that every child that came for the function was provided with transport  as three children were invited from  each of the 189 communities in the state.

    Ejide encouraged parents to take adequate care of their children at all times and avoid child trafficking among other unwholesome practices.

    Permanent Secretary of the Ministry , Mrs Gloria Nkiru Okeke said the celebration was wonderful, well planned and executed, adding that Obi’s wife was happy the way things turned out.

    Amaka Onwuzuligbo, a parent, said: “I have never seen this kind of crowd since my stay in Anambra; I am impressed by the way they managed the huge turnout of children.”

    Stella Oti, a journalist, was disappointed by the overzealousness of security agents.

    Another parent, Mrs Ngozi Chidiume, said she had no complaints about the event as the organizsers did their best in hosting the children against what was anticipated.

    Elochukwu Belu , a JSS 2 student of Igwebuike Grammar school Awka  and Emmanuella Nweke of Our Lady’s Comprehensive Secondary School Nkpor Agu  admitted that the advice and tasks Obi’s wife gave them were apt and that they will adhere to them, noting that seeing a governor’s wife eating and dining with her was not a small feat.

    Emeka Michael told Mrs Obi: “You are the mother of all children.”

    Governor Peter Obi could not make the event but had described it as happy occasion and challenged Christians to reflect on the mystery of our salvation, which started with the birth of Christ who paved the  way for us to attain eternity.

    Obi said: ’’This period of Yuletide calls for celebration, but, more importantly, it offers us the opportunity to live the ideals of charity, love, peace and harmonious co-existence, which Christ preached’’.

    “Let us all reach out and touch somebody else in a positive way. Let us give a hand to the less fortunate, that they may rise and walk with us.

    “Yet, even as we celebrate, we must bear in mind the challenges that face our dear State in the coming year and prepare adequately to confront and master them.

    “I wish Ndi Anambra, all those who live in our State, as well as all Nigerians a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year’’.

    Governor Peter Obi, Newsextra gathered, was rated by the UNICEF and other development partners as a child-friendly governor and he has demonstrated that by virtually visiting primary and secondary schools, hearing first-hand from them their problems.

    Obi has continued to advocate love and care for children to enable them grow happily in the society. He insisted that moral re-orientation and quality education are the tools to bequeath our children for a better future and avoid anarchy.