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Tag: Pomp

  • Pomp as LASUTH CMD’s daughter quits spinsterhood

    Pomp as LASUTH CMD’s daughter quits spinsterhood

    Lola, daughter of the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Prof Adewale Oke, has tied the knot with her beau, Adedayo Aluko, writes PRECIOUS IGBONWELUNDU.

    It had all the trappings of a society wedding. Exotic cars, classy venues and ‘A’ list guests. Last Saturday, the high and mighty turned up at the wedding of Lola, daughter of Chief Medical Director (CMD) Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) Prof Adewale Oke and her beau Adedayo Aluko at the Catholic Church of Presentation on Oba Akinjobi Way, GRA Ikeja.

    The reception was held at  The Haven Events Centre also on the same street.

    The church’s parking lot was full before the mass started.

    Dressed in an immaculate white flowing gown with silver accessories, the bride was all smiles as she clung to her husband throughout the event, which had guests such as Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos; Chairman, Zenith Bank Chief Steve Omojafor, Governor Babatunde Fashola’s mother, Mrs Omolara Fashola and Madam Olabisi Jolaosho.

    The ensembles in the marquee had a touch of glamour. The décor was a blend of class and royalty with the beautifully lit hall divided into two sections for the comfort of guests of each family.

    While Oke’s guests were ushered to take their seat on the right side of the hall, those who honoured Aluko family with their presence were seated on the left side.

    Neatly dressed and delectable ushers stood beside each table in the about a thousand capacity hall, attending to requests from the guests while awaiting the commencement of the reception.

    Food and drinks were inexhaustible and guests were served as many times as they requested. The live Band and the Master of Ceremony (MC) delivered on their contracts as beautiful renditions and rib-cracking jokes kept everyone present busy while waiting for the couple to arrive the hall.

    As the crowd anxiously waited for the newlywed to mount their thrown-like seats, ushers on instruction, walked through the aisle to appeal to bystanders to give way for the couple and the bridal train to dance and walk through.

    The love-birds still clinging to each other, danced to D’Banj’s hit song, “You don make me fall in love”, and other contemporary Nigerian music, occasionally waving at those who came to celebrate them.

    The reception eventually commenced with an opening prayer led by a Catholic Priest, Rev. Edmond Akpala, after the parents of the bride and groom had danced, separately, to the high table accompanied by their friends and the couple received royal blessings from the monarch.

    Omojafor, who chaired the occasion, described the union as a celebration of love.

    He admonished the couple to take the advice given by the Priest seriously, adding that they must commit themselves to making their marriage work.

    “He who finds a good wife has his days longer. The couple did their home work well to discover each other. I pray God will guide, protect and provide for them so they live a good life.

    He warned them that a time will come when a little problem will ensue, noting that they must solve it on their own and find a solution.

    “Not even your parents will help. Pray all the time because it will give you all you need to live a happy life. Marriage is not all about money. Leave your friends out of your intimate life,” said Omojafor.

    After the chairman’s remark, the couple cut their wedding cake and had their first dance, with the bride out-shining the groom with her dance moves.

    There was also dance time for the bride and her father, after which the bridal train struggled for the bouquet and all present toasted towards a beautiful and fulfilling union for the couple.

    During an interview after the mass, the bride’s father, Prof Oke said he was happy his daughter has found happiness, though he would miss her.

    “For me, it is a day of mixed feelings. I am very happy as a father that my daughter has found happiness. I will miss her presence in the house, but I know that is how God wants it. From what I have seen between them, they are going to be living fine,” he said.

    The groom said he was captivated by his bride’s beautiful smile the first time they met.

    “I met my wife in Bowen University in 2003. I was attracted by her smile and beauty. I proposed to her in my room, just the two of us. It was just a romantic time in the house. I am happy our relationship has blossomed into marriage and I am grateful to her for accepting to make me the happiest man,” he said.

    Lola was also full of praises for her husband, describing him as “a wonderful person”.

  • Pomp as minister is honoured in Ilorin

    The weather was friendly as the sun shone brightly out of the azure sky. The event was a festive one for the people of Kwara State who rolled out the drums to welcome one of the citizens who was appointed as a minister of the Federal Republic.

    Nature remained clement as if in agreement with the joyous event. Many, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwarts, political associates, family members, loyalists, friends and well-wishers turned out in their numbers to be part of the reception in honour of Dr Suleiman Abubakar to celebrate his recent appointment as Minister of National Planning in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

    That day, human and vehicular movements to and from Arca Santa Event Centre, along Ajase-Ipo Road venue of the reception was disrupted.

    The reception was the first, since the minister, a native of the state, was appointed over a month ago by President Goodluck Jonathan.

    It was a demonstration of the love, unity and team work by the members of the minister’s family and party stalwarts for the PDP.

    Speaker after speaker urged members of the PDP to work as a team to ensure the party’s victory in the 2015 general elections in the state.

    The 2011 governorship candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Dele Belgore now a chieftain of the PDP, urged his supporters to work towards the success of the party ahead of 2015.

    Belgore also advised them to resist the temptation by the opposition party to lure them into the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying it does not pay to be in opposition.

    He said: “I have been in opposition in the past and had realised that it does not pay to be in the opposition.” He urged members of the party to remain united.

    In a remark, Abuja-based businesswoman and a chieftain of the party in the state, Hajia Muinat Shagaya admonished residents of Kwara State to key into the mainstream politics of the ruling PDP so as to enjoy the benefits of democracy.

    Shagaya, a major financier of the PDP said her experience as a businesswoman had shown that it does not pay to be in opposition against the ruling party.

    She also urged them to demonstrate the spirit of sportsmanship by accepting whoever emerges as the party’s standard bearer in the 2015 governorship election.

    Former Minister of Transport, Bio Ibrahim who spoke on behalf of representatives of Kwara North, described Dr Abubakar as the current leader of the party in the state in the absence of a PDP governor, urging him “to be fair and just to us all.

    In his comment, Chairman, Federal Character Commission (FCC), Prof. Shuaib Oba-Abdulraheem said the party will take over Government House, Kwara in 2015.

    He said there were feelers that some top government officials are already removing their personal effects from the Government House.

    Also at the event, Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on National Assembly Matters, Senator Suleiman M. Ajadi said with the minister’s appointment, the state has started heaving a sigh of relief from neglect and bondage.

    Senator Ajadi, who is from Kwara South, however, said the minister should not rejoice yet until the party takes over Kwara Government House come 2015.

    Addressing PDP supporters at the reception, Dr Abubakar said the PDP has a winning team that will rescue Kwara from APC in the 2015 general elections.

    The Political Science lecturer at the University of Abuja said the team is unbeatable because of the pedigree of stakeholders that constituted it.

    He added: “Who can defeat this team, a team made up of eight ex-senators, four ex-ministers, two former deputy governors, three or four former Speakers of Kwara State House of Assembly, two ex- PDP chairmen and former commissioners?

    “If we have this calibre of people, I don’t see who can defeat this family”

    The minister said the process of his emergence as the new Minister of National Planning had shown that “politics in Kwara is no longer a one-man show.”

    He said 11 stakeholders sat down to rectify his nomination as a minister, a development which he said was sharp departure from the practice in the state in the last 45 years where only one person decides who gets what.

    He also assured the party supporters that the mandate of the people in the hands of members of the opposition will be reclaimed.

     

     

     

  • Pomp as APC chieftain’s son weds

    Pomp as APC chieftain’s son weds

    It was a grand expression of affection when a chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Lagos, Bashorun Tajudeen Jaiyesimi, was joined by well-wishers in celebration of his son’s wedlock last Saturday. DADA ALADELOKUN was there.

    It was probably the busiest day at the sprawling premises of the Federal College of Education (Techical), Akoka, Lagos Mainland in recent times. Automobiles competed for space as all manners of traditional drummers welcomed people with enthralling songs.

    With exemplary politeness, sturdy bouncers assisted by neatly dressed ushers welcome guests donning their best into the institution’s New Multipurpose Hall, venue of the swell outing.

    It was an exquisite wedding reception last Saturday. By 4pm, the tastefully decorated commodious hall had been filled by the guests. At the centre of it was Folayemi, chubby-cheeked son of Ikorodu, Lagos-born prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bashorun Tajudeen Adio Jaiyesimi, who tied the nuptial knot with his delectable Delta-born lover, Mercy Adegor.

    The Minority Whip of the Senate and governorship aspirant in the state, Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon (GOS), who chaired the occasion, was already there with his wife, Aderonke and a good number of APC loyalists about two hours before the arrival of his hosts.

    Long before the new couple’s majestic entry into the hall amid songs from their excited friends after their traditional engagement, Faith Music Band led by Ayo Ajekigbe had turned the outing into a carnival with pulsating beats. He thrilled the gathering with evergreen numbers from the reservoirs of Juju music legends Ebenezer Obey and King Sunny Ade.

    The couple’s family members appeared to have anxiously expected that moment of joy. Looking radiant in their blue head gears and caps, they rose to rejoice with their own.

    The bride’s parents, Deacon Godwin Adegor and Mrs Bethel Adegor could not hide their joy. So were Jaiyesimi and Folayemi’s mother, Abimbola, a successful business woman, who moved round, exchanged pleasantries with guests and dance with them.

    It was applause all the way as Solomon, with his trademark joviality, advised the couple to imbibe and actualise all necessary ingredients of a productive wedlock.

    “Live together as friends and strive to guard your oneness jealously and I trust, you will be happy you did,” the senator said.

    After the usual ritual of cake cutting and toast, the couple, who donned their best bib and tucker, stepped onto the dance floor for what seemed a terpsichorean contest that spurred a prolonged rain of mint naira notes. The Adegors, the Jaiyesimis, their friends and well-wishers were not left out.

    That the couple and their parents are well loved came to the fore when it was time for gifts presentation. The bride’s kinsmen from Jesse in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State gleefully partook with showers of prayers on the couple.

    Asked about her impression about the day, the bride, Mercy, said: “This is a special day that I have long wished to come to pass. God is faithful to have blessed me with my ideal friend in Folayemi.”

    Folayemi, a fast-rising marketer, described the outing as a rare milestone in his life. “Mercy stands for God’s mercifulness towards me. So, having this grand opportunity to live the rest of my life with her is a thing of eternal joy,” he said.

    Their parents were unsparing in words of gratitude to God for the success of their children’s wedlock as they beseeched Him to guide them aright in everlasting conjugal bliss.

    As the usual photograph session went on, other guests, including gate crashers were treated to sumptuous meals and assorted drinks by some caterers who were stationed outside the hall.

  • Pomp at Lagos parade, rally

    It was, indeed, a day for the children of Lagos state as they were the centre of focus at the state Children’s Day parade and rally held at the state police college parade grounds, Ikeja.

    The opening prayer was said by Aladenike Esther, the assistant head girl of Girls grammar school, Ikoyi while the welcome address was delivered by Shadeko Adejuwon, a 17-year-old SSS 3 pupil of Agidingbi senior grammar School, Ikeja.

    In his welcome address, Shadeko who represented all children in Lagos, said the over five million children in Lagos were grateful to the government for the increased infrastructural development and facilities in schools, ading that they have improved their teaching and learning environment.”We have every reason to rejoice, thank you for your vision and selfless services to mankind.”

    Pledging to read their books and pass exams, Shadeko promise that they would win all prizes when they go for competitions outside the state.

    He called on parents to support the governor by checking their books daily and attend the Parent-Teacher Forum always.

    He said he enjoyed being a child because he got preferential treatment. “You are treated like a novice. You are guided always but an adult is left on his own because it is assumed that he knows many things already. I really enjoy being a child. I will miss my childhood when I become an adult,” he added.

    In his speech, the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola (SAN) charged the children to work very hard in the next WASSCE and make at least 70 per cent pass in Maths and English. “You did well in the last WASSCE as we had a 37 per cent pass in Maths and English, but I want you to double that and make it 70 per cent in the next WASSCE. Your teachers and parents are very proud of you.”

    He told them that the efforts made by some bad people to harm them would not be possible if the children stay safe. “Stay safe by refusing to take things from strangers, stay safe by refusing to take vehicles that are not painted in the state colour or have registration numbers, don’t take marijuana or alcohol, don’t join cult. You can join the boys scout, girls brigade, power kids club, climate change club, road safety club and obey your parents.