•A
Blow-By-Blow Account Revealed
On Sunday 3rd, April 2022, Epe hosted very many VVIPs. It was the 90th birthday of Lady Doja Otedola, former Lagos First Lady and mother of one of Africa’s richest men, Mr Femi Otedola. All the high and mighty in Nigeria, top politicians, captains of industries, society men and women as well as entertainers came through for Mama Otedola.
The
event started with the dedication of a new N2 billion auditorium, built for the
St. Peter Catholic Church Odoragunshin, Epe Lagos. The list of dignitaries read
like all the who-is-who in Nigeria. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Vice
President Yemi Osinbajo, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Governor
Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, Gov. Dapo
Abiodun of Ogun State, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, former Governors
of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba and Otunba Gbenga Daniel (OGD), Africa’s
Richest Man Aliko Dangote, CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele were among the top
dignitaries that were spotted at the church.
Decked
in beautiful lace, blue beaded jewels in her ears, around her neck and wrist,
and matching shawls, the Otedola matriarch beams with fulfilment and
accomplishment. Lady Doja, the latest Nonagenarian is a mother of all. A woman
who takes life so simply, a giver par excellence, she is one who takes care of
the community without holding back and above all a lover of God. She embodies
humanity, simplicity and humility. There is more to her than meets the eye. She
epitomizes the existential elements of being human, with an illustrious
life of giving, sacrificing and giving more to the less privileged around her.
City
People’s team of DAMILARE SALAMI (08155134153), SANNI ABDULRASHEED and SHADIAT
KAZEEM was there and in this report, they bring you a full gist of all that
went down from the beginning to the end. Below are excerpts, enjoy.
WATER-TIGHT
SECURITY AT EPE
Let’s
also quickly tell you that the security at the event was water-tight. Men of
the Nigerian Army, DSS, SSS, Civil Defence, Nigerian Police and private
security officers were spotted at different locations. On arrival, it was
obvious that something big was happening. At every corner, security personnel
were spotted. There was also an easy flow of traffic. Men of the Lagos State
Traffic Management Agency, LASTMA and the Nigerian Police Force were on duty
making sure that movement was easy and fast.
GOV.
OBASEKI, CHIEF DELE MOMODU, SEGUN AWOLOWO OTHERS CAME EARLY
The
event was scheduled to commence at 10:00 am but there was a good number of
early birds. At about 9:00 am, the church compound was already hosting top
dignitaries. Top on the list were Chief Dele Momodu, a PDP presidential
aspirant, Mr Segun Awolowo, a popular businessman, a close pal of Femi Otedola
and grandson of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Gov. Godwin Obaseki was on the
list too. He came in a stunning sky blue Agbada. Just before the service
started, dignitaries were spotted seating and standing in clusters, exchanging
pleasantries and chit-chatting.
THE
BIRTHDAY GIRL STORMED CHURCH IN STYLE
The
celebrant of the day was the 19th first lady of Lagos State. She stormed the
church in the company of her siblings, family members, children, grandchildren
and loved ones. She was present at the opening of the house of Mother Mary
within the church premises. Mama was beautifully dressed in a gold-like
material. She was flanked by two of her close relatives to the left and right
and also her son, Femi Otedola.
MAMA
HANDS OVER KEYS AND DOCUMENTS TO CHURCH AUTHORITY
The
high point of the church dedication was when Lady Doja Otedola handed over the
keys and documents of the newly built two billion naira auditorium to the
church authority. It was received by the Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of
Lagos, His Grace, Most Rev. Dr Adewale Martins. During her speech, Lady Doja
revealed that it is customary for her to do something significant for God and
humanity each time she clocked a year older.
THE
STORY BEHIND THE NEW AUDITORIUM
Many
would have wondered why she spent such a huge amount on a mere church
auditorium but for Lady Doja, it wasn’t a mere auditorium, it was the
fulfilment of a vow made to God. During her speech, Lady Doja revealed that
the year she clocked 80, God revealed to her that she was going to live beyond
90 years and she made a vow that if she did, she would build a new church
auditorium for the worship of her God and the use of mankind. When she clocked
89, they started the new auditorium and today, it is ready for God and mankind.
The former auditorium cannot be compared to this new one in any way. The former
could hardly contain 200 worshippers in a single service. As a matter of fact,
the parish priest, Rev. Fr. Marcus Famosaya revealed that Mama’s gesture was an
answered prayer because the St. Peter Catholic Church Odoragunshin has been in
a dire need of an expansion or a completely new worship auditorium.
ABOUT
THE NEW BUILDING
The
St. Peter Catholic Church auditorium is an ultra-modern 1000-seater capacity
worship auditorium. It is beautifully decorated and painted in beige and
chocolate brown. The auditorium is fully air-conditioned with ultra-modern sound gadgets to make the mass flow seamlessly. The altar is well furnished with
all the required Roman Catholic gadgets too. Let’s also quickly inform you that
the altar was also dedicated according to the Roman Catholic rites before the
mass fully commenced.
It
is a spiritual rite for the most senior spiritual leader to step into the new
auditorium first. Therefore, it wasn’t a surprise that His Grace, Dr Alfred
Adewale Martins was the first to step into the auditorium after the cutting of
the ribbon exercise which was also performed by the man of God. City People
gathered that he was there representing the interest of Cardinal Olubunmi
Okogie who is the head of the Roman Catholic Church in Nigeria.
GOV
SANWO-OLU, GOV. FAYEMI & OONI OF IFE IN THE SAME COMPANY
The
Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his wife were the host but
they came in the company of their Ekiti State counterpart, Mr Kayode Fayemi.
Also in that company is the Ooni of Ife, HRM Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja
II. He also led the list of royal fathers that graced the occasion.
ALASALATU
SOCIETY OF EPE ALSO CAME TO CHURCH
Something
quite stunning at the event was the fact that Mama Otedola is a tolerant
Christian worshipper who doesn’t segregate. While the service was on, members
of the Alasalatu Association of Epe came in their numbers to the church to
celebrate with the mother of all. They also took out time to sing and dance to
God in the service. The Alasatu didn’t mind being Muslims, they held their own
thanksgiving on behalf of Lady Doja Otedola right inside the new auditorium.
THE
RECEPTION PARTY WAS UNPRECEDENTED
The
reception of the party was lit. City People gathered that there were three
different venues for different categories of people. There was a venue for the
VVIP, another was for family, friends and associates while there was another
for the community and church members.
All
the venues were filled to the brim and there was maximum fun, more than enough
to eat and drink and also entertainment at its best.
DAREY
ART ALADE ANCHORED THE PARTY
Popular
musician, Darey Art Alade was also at the event. He was there not as a singer
or guest, he was the compere. This is not the first time Darey would be seen
anchoring events, he is a broadcaster of high repute and he came to the party
with his A-game. He was gorgeously dressed in white agbada and he entertained
the guests quite well too.
Darey
made the show his. He ensured that all the dignitaries were well recognized.
His jokes were on point and not boring in any way. Those who hadn’t seen Darey
do this before were stunned by his art and theatrics on the stage. He is an
all-round entertainer who does his job with a lot of fluidity.
LADY
DOJA OTEDOLA’S GLORIOUS ENTRY
Mama’s
entry into the reception party is another story entirely. She came in the
company of her twin daughters Mrs Tola Oye and Mrs Lola Idaho who flanked her
to the right and left. She was also joined by her numerous grandchildren. Mama
was dressed in very simple but beautiful royal blue lace. Her daughters and
grandchildren were dressed in the same outfit too. On entering the venue, she
received a standing ovation from all the guests. Mama straightaway went to the
podium to dance to some cool tunes from the stable of her son, Oluwarotimi
Otedola and his Afrinero who had been entertaining at intervals before the
celebrant’s arrival.
THE
OTEDOLAS ENTERTAINED
Not
many know that the Otedolas are also playing big in the entertainment industry
but this was revealed at the event. Lady Doja’s 3rd son, Rotimi Otedola is a
complete definition of African entertainment. He is the founder of Afrinero
Music Band. The band performed for several hours at the event and everyone was
delighted to have him and his boys entertain.
DJ
Cuppy was not left out of the party too. She is a well known Disk Jockey and
musician. She flew in from the UK to entertain her Grandma and the entire
guests. She came with her dance crew who thrilled with energetic dance steps to
accompany her songs. She performed her popular hit tracks ‘Who is your daddy’
and ‘Gelato’.
What
about Tolani Otedola? Her performance was out of this world. She is Mr Femi
Otedola’s first daughter. She is a UK-based entertainer and singer. According
to her, it was the first time her grandmother would see her perform. Her performance
was simply ecstatic. She thrilled the guests who wanted more but time wouldn’t
permit it.
LADY
DOJA IS STILL A GREAT DANCER @ 90
One
would have thought that Lady Doja Otedola’s energy would have waned having
climbed the 9th floor but the strength she showed on her birthday says exactly
the opposite. She launched her entry into the reception hall with her immediate
family, particularly her children and grandchildren. It didn’t end there, when
KSA mounted the stage, she also spent ample time dancing with the big boys;
the likes of Aliko Dangote, TerryWire, Segun Awolowo and other friends of Mr
Femi Otedola.
CHIEF
SEGUN OSOBA CHAIRS THE EVENT
The
Chairman of the party was a former Governor of Ogun State and a renowned
journalist, Chief Olusegun Osoba. It was revealed that his relationship with
the Otedolas has spanned over 57 years. It, therefore, wasn’t a surprise that the
man who was the governor of Ogun at the same time Mama’s husband, the late Sir
Michael Agbolagade Otedola was the governor of Lagos chaired the occasion. He
took out time to appreciate Lady Doja Otedola and allowed his wife to pray for the
celebrant on his behalf.
…AND
THE CAKE LANDED FROM THE ROOF
The
Otedolas wouldn’t do anything without making a statement. That was why many
people didn’t know the position of the cake until it was time to cut it. The
cake landed from the roof and everyone was wowed. It was simply classy and
glamorous. It was a gigantic three-step cake. Everyone had a bite no matter how
small. It was indeed a glorious and worthy 90th birthday celebration.
KSA
THRILLED TILL MAMA CALLED
Let
us also be the first to tell you that King Sunny Ade (KSA) the king of Juju
music was on the bandstand. He was called up stage at about 6:00 pm and he
entertained till the very end.
Everyone
expected a cash rain and they were not disappointed. King Sunny Ade made sure
that his pocket and account were filled up as he serenaded the top guests one
after the other. The big boys made it to the dance floor to catch some fun and
in return spray the cash. The celebrant wasn’t left out of the KSA show. She
had a good time dancing and celebrating the faithfulness of God in her life and
family.
ZAPPHIRE
EVENTS, PCL WERE ON POINT
Zapphire
Events deserves some accolades. The brand did a good job with the planning and
coordination of the entire reception programme. Prize Communications Limited
(PCL) also did a great job ensuring that the event was adequately covered by
virtually all the topmost media houses in Nigeria.
DJ
BOLA FRESHWAY STOLE THE AFTER-PARTY SHOW
The
after-party was another big show. It was time for the trendy big boys and babes
to have their fun and they did in a big way. Immediately KSA ended his
performance, DJ Bola Freshway who had been on the standby took over. He then
ran the show until the very end and everyone had fun.
Other
top guests at the event are PDP Presidential aspirants, Peter Obi, Chief Dele
Momodu, former Delta State Governor, James Ibori and his wife, former Deputy
Governor of Lagos State, Alhaja Sinatu Ojikutu, Mr Segun Awolowo, Chief Doyin
Okupe, Billionaire Terry Wire and wife, Tee Mac, Mr Kola Abiola, Hajia Bola
Shagaya, Seyi Tinubu, Prisca Ndu, Prince Segun Oniru, Tony Elumelu, Jim Ovia,
and many more.
0 Comments