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First Ladies, Women of Substance Celebrate Legacy of Building Women at 2019 WILS

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The intimidating crowd that surged into the convention center of the Eko Hotel and Suites Tuesday to celebrate the 2019 edition of Handmaidens Women in Leadership Series with the theme, Leading Women Building Legacies, was a testimony of how far women have launched into the world of business, grabbing with both hands what were hitherto reserved for men.

The Summit was aimed at drawing attention to the crisis in leadership in Nigeria and causing the nation’s deepest thinkers and most innovative minds to come up with solutions to various problems. Also, it motivated women who wants to build a great career in life. The event brought together leading minds in career building and women empowerment.

Anchoring the programme, Mrs. Morin Desalu appreciated the presence of special and notable dignitaries who throng the venue including wives of governors, captains of industries, entertainment bigwigs and many more. She heaped encomiums on the Chief host, Pastor Siju Iluyomade, for her vision.

Pastor Siju Iluyomade

Kicking off with splendid praise and worship session, which was supervised by the Voices of Zion, the event nosedived into the recitation of the two stanzas of the national anthem. The rendition was a beauty to listen to as almost every soul in the hall participated, singing with fresh and renewed patriotism. It reestablished the blind faith with which women are known to approach any issue.

First Lady of Edo State, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, set the ball rolling as she delivered a highly motivating address.

In her speech, she encouraged Nigerians, especially women, to put in their best in developing country, prophesying that “soon, foreigners will be rushing to Nigeria the same way Nigerians are rushing to other countries”, adding that ‘it will happen in our time’.

Also contributing, the First Lady of Ogun State, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun, encouraged the women on the need to be self-reliant and strive to academically and otherwise develop and invest in themselves through reading among other things.

She said: “I learnt everything I know, especially during childbirth and afterwards from reading books.”

She told women to make reading a habit, and endeavour to be a total mother.

In her short speech, the wife of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mrs. Salamatu Gbajabiamila, highlighted that “women and anything about women is my passion”.

At this stage, the hall was enlivened with the sonorous voice of Enitan Adaba, who led all through a session of high worship. The session gave way to the inspirational speech of Mrs. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, the First Lady of Lagos State.

Mrs. Sanwo-Olu, who brought glad tidings from the state governor on his 54th birthday, highlighted that Lagos is committed to the welfare of the citizens, especially women.

With the representative of the first families of represented states done with their speeches, Pastor Iluyomade heartily delivered a welcome message where she cautioned that “greed can bring your legacy down” drawing inference from Proverbs 31 in the same was she preached gender equality.

She also recognized women of Valor who have made a difference in their chosen fields such as the first female Managing Director of Cadbury, Mrs. Oyeyimika Adeboye; Dean of Lagos Business School, Mrs. Enase Okonedo; Lawyer and CEO of Terra Kulture and theatre enthusiast, Mrs. Bolanle Austen-Peters among others

The highlight of the event was the keynote address delivered by a seasoned Chicago based Oncologist, Dr. (Mrs.) Olufunmilayo Olapade.

Olapade, among many of her admonitions, lashed out at the government of Nigeria for not providing the required amenities and enabling environment for doctors to perform optimally.

She also charged the First Ladies to take up the banner of ensuring that drugs are made available in various hospitals to make it easy for patients to get at affordable price.

The event was a mixture of keynotes, unconference sessions, panels, and more to bring a rich set of content driven by a diverse audience.

The address was followed by the presentation of Born to Aspire awards to three deserving women, and they are veteran actress, Joke Sylva, Osayi Alile and Morin Desalu. The chief host, Pastor Iluyomade was also presented with the Original Born to Aspire award.

The event was rounded off with a panel session. The panel comprising 12 successful professionals and anchored by Osayi Alile, CEO, Aspire Coronation Trust Foundation, deliberated on How to Build Legacies to Last.

The meat of the discussion centered on how women can overcome various challenges that limit their developmental strides.

Pastor Siju Iluyomade ended the discussion with a quote:

“There are various categories of people in this world, there are those who make things happen, there are those who watch things happen, there are some who wonder how things happen, while there are some who don’t know that anything have happened at all, so which one are you” she asked rhetorically.”

The members of the panel include Bolanle Austen-Peters, TY Bello, Mrs (Dr) Olufunmilayo Olapade, Adesuwa Onyenokwe, Prof. Sade Ogunsola, Prof. Enase Okonedo, Funke Bucknor Obruthe, Cecilia Akintomide, Kofo Akinkugbe, Dorathy Atoke, and Achenyo Idachaba-Obaro.

Mrs. Titilayo Akinsanya rounded the event off with a closing prayer to thank God for the success of the 2019 series.

Other dignitaries that attended the event included Honourable Duke, Mrs Bolaji Momodu,  Mrs Quincy Akindele and a host of others.

 

 

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Events

The Grand 70th Birthday Celebration of Jewelry Queen, Chief Jokotade Oni, in Lagos

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By Eric Elezuo

She is by every standard a force to reckon with in the world of jewelleries, and has been in the business for as long as anyone could remember. She is the Chief Executive Officer of Gold Rush, Chief (Mrs) Jokotade Oni, and this the story of how the top member of the society celebrated her three score and ten birthday.

Mrs Oni cuts her birthday cake, surrounded by grandchildren

Hosted at the Balmoral Hall of the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, the event began with the heralded arrival of the celebrant and her retinue of well wishers and friends, and was followed immediately by a Thanksgiving Service conducted by the General Overseer of the Trinity Church Pastor Ituah Ighadalo, and his team of pastors.

Celebrant with Chief (Mrs) Nike Akande

In his short exhortation, after the son of the celebrant has presented the reading of the lesson Pastor Ighadalo lauded the achievements of the celebrant in the field of enterprise and provision of welfare to the teeming population of where she operates. He also admonished the congregation to always to count their days as the Bible recommended in other not to forget to give appreciation to the Almighty God.

Chief Oni pose with Aare and Yeye Aare Dele Momodu

With the conclusion of the Service, a grand reception at the same venue started with an opening prayer led by Israel Ayodele. Shortly after, the birthday girl, who had taken a ahort break earlier, made a grandiose re-entry, with members of her family and friends, towing courageously and majestically behind her.

Afterwards, tributes by notable personalities, who are close to the celebrant, including the Chairperson of the Diaspora Commission, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, were delivered.

Former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Femi Pedro and the Momodus

The major highlight of the occasion was the cutting of the huge birthday cake, under the directives of a renowned Economist, who served as Minister of Industry as well as President of the Lagos State Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chief (Mrs) Nike Akande, amid cheers and applause from the audience.

A photo-op was conducted right before the lovely event, which was planned by ELIZABETH, treated guests to an avalanche of splendid local and continental dishes and choice beverages just as Laolugbenjo Band serenaded guests till fade.

Aare Momodu with DIG Taiwo Lakanu

Among personalities that graced the event were Chairman, Eleganza Group, Chief Rasak Akanni Okoya and wife, Chief (Mrs) Shade Okoya; Alhaji Tajudeen Okoya, Chief Alex Duduyemi, Chief Samuel Adedoyin, Iyalode of Lagos, Alhaja Bintu Tinubu; Chairman, Ovation Media Group, Aare (Dr.) Dele Momodu and wife Yeye Mobolaji Momodu; and Former Deputy Govover of Lagos State, Mr. Femi Pedro.

Photos: Tunde Bolarinwa

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Events

The Classy Nikkah Ceremonies Between Omobolaji Jamil and Omolara Tijani in Lagos

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By Eric Elezuo

The Monarch Event Centre, venue of the Nikkah services and reception when the duo of Omobolaji Eniola Jamil and his beautiful bride, Omolara Tawakalitu Tijani said heartfelt ‘I dos’ to each other, was an inch above classy, magnificent and adorable. It was not just about the presidential building, but more about the ambience of the environment, the ambivalence of colours and more especially, the smiles that characterized the day.

The events of the day, as planned by Adela Event, which kickstarted at the newly opened Delborough Hotel in Victoria Island, where the lovely couple dressed, and had the first step into royalty amid klieglights from various media of repute, cascaded into a carnival of some sort with their arrival at the marriage venue, where guests and Islamic clerics were already on ground.

Without much ado, renowned Islamic cleric, Alhaji Sheikh Muyideen Ajani Bello popularly refers as ‘Oniwasi Agbaye’ (Global preacher), set the ball rolling, leading the couple into confessing, affirming and sustaining their unbreakable love for each with the crowd of witnesses echoing amin at every prayer, pronouncement, and declaration. He thereafter, declared the lovebirds man and wife, paving the way for a reception that lasted way into the night, and a celebration of love destined to last a lifetime.

With a short interlude as the newest couple took a break to recreate, the disc jockey held the hall spellbound and rocking with sounds from notable and creative Nigerian artists. The audience couldn’t but roll in ecstasy as the beats made impacts.

At the return of the couples, and under the supervisor of the day’s anchor, Tee A, the families of the bride and groom made separate dramatic entry, dancing to the admiration and encouragement of well wishers roundabout.

Then, it was the turn of the couple to dance in. With the bridal train and the men in suit doing the first encore, the couple danced in in style, cheered loudly by all and sundry, and displaying scintillating dance steps that was the hallmark of their growing up days.

The bride and her train, also took the limelight with a choreographic display, winning the hearts of onlookers, followed by the emotional dance of the bride and her father.

With the dances settled, the chairman of the day, Dr. Akintunde Ayeni, took the stage to declare the event open, and admonished the couple on the basic principles of making a happy home.

“Love and submission win all battles in matrimony. Once you love each other, submit to each other, no barrier will be encountered and nothing shall be impossible to both of you. In fact, you will be able to conquer every from within or without. And again, respect each other, which is very key, in fact, very important, ” Ayeni said.

One of the major highlights of the occasion was the superlative display of one of the most sought after performers from this part of the world, KWAM 1, who rattled the hall with one classic beat after another, getting everyone off their seats, singing along and dancing away.

Another major highlight was the cutting of the gigantic cake, coordinated by a former Super Eagles player, Mutiu Adepoju, popularly know as Headmaster during his hay days.

The guests, apart from the array of entertainment on ground, were treated to sumptuous delicacies comprising continental and local dishes as well as choice beverages.

We wish the Jamils the best of marital union in love, health and prosperity.

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Dignitaries Grace Grand Opening of Luxurious Delborough Hotel in Lagos (Photos)

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By Eric Elezuo

The newest and grandest luxury hospitality nest in the city of Lagos, Delborough Hotel in highbrow Victoria Island, was declared on Saturday, November 25, 2023, with high dignitaries in attendance.

Among those who attended the grand opening, or visited at one point or another are former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former President Goodluck Jonathan, Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim, the Etsu Nupe Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe among many others.

Delborough Hotel is owned by Stanley Uzochukwu, and is run by a board of directors including constitional lawyer, Mike Ozekhome SAN.

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