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British High Commission Celebrates Nigerian Creativity At The Queen’s Birthday Party 2019

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Photo: Koya Adegbite                                  Story: Promise Oshewa

It was a mix of senior personalities from various sectors of society on Thursday April 2019 as the British Deputy High Commission hosted the Queen’s Birthday Party at the British Residence in Ikoyi., Lagos.

The event, which was used to celebrate the creativity of Nigerians in different spheres of life was attended by the cream of Nigerian society both old and young.

Catriona Laing, Babajide Sanwoolu & Laure Beaufils

The creative them of the occasion was obvious right from the entrance as the décor and design of the venue was transformed with various installations that gave it a colourful and vibrant feel.

Following a week from the #BHCYouthParty, the design of the space was comprised of the work of various talented Nigerians, including the black wall of ideas guests to the youth party has scribbled on.

Laure Beaufils & Toyin Saraki

On arrival, guests were greeted by a lounge area with Adire fabric sofas from Nigerian Furniture designer, Alaga collections, a live mural-in-action being painted on the wall, and an already completed mural titled ‘Mammy water’ which was a painting by public school children in Lagos, both under the five cowries project by Polly Alakija.

Inside the residence, the living area was converted to a screening room for a video installation of the short film ‘Entitled’; a migrant fantasy film By British Nigerian filmmaker Adeyemi Michael.

Erelu Abiola Dosunmu & Catriona Laing

Reflecting on her experience so far in her new role as the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing said that working in Nigeria was the job she had always wanted since joining the Foreign and Commonwealth office.

She said this conviction was corroborated at an event recently in which she had met Queen Elizabeth who told her she had ‘the best job in the world’ representing the British Government in Nigeria.

Mrs Kuti & Catriona Laing

The musical talent of Nigerians was also brough to the fore in the form of music provided by Beejay Sax and his band, as well as Kafayat Quadri who sang both the Nigerian and British anthems.

That was not all, there was also a display of striking photographs taken by Nigerians and provided by the African Artists Foundation, as well as designs from the finalists of the British Council Creative Enterprise programme. Guests were also treated to delicious desserts by renowned culinary company, SaltLagos.

Laure Beaufils, Babajide Sanwoolu, Catriona Laing & Prince Dapo Abiodun

For Deputy High Commissioner Ms. Laure Beaufils who was hosting her third and final QBP, it was a bittersweet moment ‘Lagos will always have a place in my heart and that of my family. It is a city that is so full of life and gives you so much energy, there is never a dull moment here. But I leave with the confidence that my colleague Harriet Thompson who will be taking over from me has as much of a passion for Lagos and more broadly Nigeria as I do.’ She stated with s bright smile on her face.

Speaking about the design of the space, the Residence Manager & Social Secretary Opeyemi Ojo said ‘I’m really proud and relieved to finally see what we have been able to achieve with the space this year, and the feedback we’ve received from guests has been very encouraging. I’m delighted that we have been able to use this theme to showcase the talent and vibrancy that is Lagos, and I’d like to thank all the artistes and service providers that worked with me to make this happen.’

Adewale Adebajo & Opeyemi Ojo

The Queen’s Birthday Party is the flagship annual event held by embassies and high commissions to commemorate the birthday of Her Majesty the Queen of England. Although her actual Birthday is the 21st of April, QBPs are generally celebrated in the month of April according to the discretion of embassies.

Bisi Alimi, Catriona Laing & Ireti Oluwagbemi

Valentine Osigbo & Catriona Laing

Abdulrahman Abiola-Odunnowo & Laure Beaufils

Catriona & Laure

Umbrella Installation by Polly Alakija#

Staff of the British Deputy High Commission and British Council Pose for a photo

Laure Beaufils

Omoni Oboli

Catriona Laing

Catriona Laing, Adewale Adebajo & Babajide Sanwoolu

Catriona Laing & Laure Beaufils

Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Catriona Laing & Laure Beaufils

Ireti Oluwagbemi & Leticia Tikyaa

Kafayat Quadri singing the anthems

Adewale Adebajo & Opeyemi Ojo

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Events

Tears As Billionaire Businessman, Kola Adesina, Buries Mum in Lagos

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By Funmi Ilelabayo

Mrs. Adejumoke Awero Adesina, mother of leading Nigerian energy executive and industrialist, Kola Adesina, was given a befitting burial to the delight of all present at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, City of David, Trinity Towers, Lagos, after a high-powered and well attended Service of Songs and Evening of Tributes at the Harbour Point Event Centre in Victoria Island, a day earlier.

Tributes have poured in from across Nigeria’s business and civic space, with many acknowledging Mama Adesina’s influence in raising a son whose leadership continues to shape critical sectors of the Nigerian economy.

The funeral service which was conducted by Pastor Gbenga Tapere, Pastor Alex Okoh, Pastor Supo Oluwasakin and Pastor Segun Olujobi began with a processional hymn, titled ‘The Strife is O’er as The Havens pall bearers also joined the procession with Mama’s casket.

Thereafter, the first bible reading was observed, which was taken by Miss Famimora Adesina while Mr. Oladosu Adesina took the second bible reading.

After a special performance by Beejay Sax, Pastor Sesan Adebowale read Mama’s biography.

During the sermon, Pastor Gbenga Tapere described the deceased as woman of timeless grace and inner strength who embodied calm wisdom, deep generosity, and a quiet resilience that would become her legacy. Her life was marked by grace, strength, and unwavering devotion to her family and community, he added.

After the sermon, prayer for the family was said, and all roads led to Ikoyi Cemetery were the remains of the deceased was committed to mother earth.

In attendance were former President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan; former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel; Chief Wole Olaonipekun (SAN), President of African Development Bank, Mr. Akinwunmi Adesina; Mr. Tunde Ayeni, Mr. Debola Williams, Co-founder and former Group Executive Director of Sahara Group an Energy Conglomerate, Tonye Cole among others.

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‘An Evening with Glo’: Ebenezer Obey, K1, Kiekie, Others Serenade Ijebu Ode

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The duo of Juju Commander Evangelist Ebenezer Obey Fabiyi and king of Fuji music, Wasiu Ayinde Marshall, on Friday held the ancient town of Ijebu Ode spellbound at a superlative event organized by Globacom to kickstart the 2025 Ojude Oba celebrations.

This year’s Ojude Oba marks the 20th anniversary of Globacom’s sponsorship of the festival during which it has helped transform it into a cultural icon and global tourist destination.

Tagged an “Evening with Glo “, it was a night of fun, splendid music, good cuisine and riveting jokes from the trio of Gbenga Adeyinka, Bash and  Kiekie.

For more than two hours, the legendary Ebenezer Obey Fabiyi sang from his repertoire of music to which the audience which filled the Conference Hall venue to the brim, vibed and mimed.

Globacom explained that the “Evening with Glo” was organised to thank the Ijebu community for their support for the brand for 20 years of its sponsorship of Ojude Oba festival.

“We decided to bring together great sons and daughters of Ijebuland to celebrate our shared heritage, and indulge in the melodious rhythms that resonate deeply throughout Yorubaland”, the company stated.

Speaking on its choice of musicians for the event, Glo added that  “the  ageless icon and Juju music maestro, Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey,  has contributed decades of good, sonorous and philosophical songs to our society. His songs are still as fresh and full of inspirational messages as they were yesterday”.

On KWAM 1, the company disclosed “For decades, King of Fuji, K1 De Ultimate, the Fuji master, has been a great part of the music firmament in Nigeria, with his unique brand of Fuji that has elicited huge interest”.

Eminent sons and daughters of  Ijebuland including the Olori of Oba Awujale, Chief Mrs. Olukemi Adetona; the Coordinator of Ojude Oba Festival Planning Committee, Professor Fassy Yusuff, and member of the committee and Iyalode of Ijebuland, Chief Mrs. Bisi Osibogun, attended the event.

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Events

Davido’s Daughter, Imade Adeleke, Celebrates Magical 10th Birthday

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By Ruth Akpan

Imade, the first daughter of Afrobeat star, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, celebrated her 10th fairytale birthday on Sunday.

The event, which held at The Maradiva Twinwaters, Okunade Bluewater Scheme, Lekki, had family members including the Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, Folashade Adeleke, B-red Adeleke, Aare Dele Momodu, friends and well-wishers in attendance.

With nature-inspired decor and floral setups, the event themed “Imade’s Enchanted Forest” witnessed moments filled with laughter, warm interactions, dancing and fun.

Her billionaire father’s presence at the event reaffirms his unyielding love for his daughter and also served as an avenue for deeper bonding between father and daughter.

The adorable celebrant cut her cake flanked by her mom, Sophie Momodu, and dad, Davido followed by a retinue of photo operations with family members and guests.

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