Events

WINES OF SOUTH AFRICA WOWS CONNOISSUERS AT ITS GRAND WINE TASTING EVENTS IN LAGOS AND ACCRA

Published

5 years ago

August 10, 2019

Eric

Wines of South Africa (WOSA) a non-profit organization, aimed at promoting South African wines has again wowed connoisseurs, captains of industry, sellers, stockists and enthusiasts at the 2019 Grand Wine Tasting Tour in Lagos and Accra.

Following the immense success of the last two years, the event packaged by Jon Williams Events Company kicked from Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital at the Raddisson Blu Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

As it is the norm with the show, which provides an avenue to showcase and savour the diversity and innovation of the South African Wine Industry, proceedings began with an intellectually-stimulating session for hospitality and tourism industry practitioners who were taken through the gamut of the wines and why it is has an edge over other competitors.

In the evening, the glitz, the music, the canapés and the tasting event proper took centre stage with the Africa Market Manager, Wines of South Africa, Mr Mathome Mbatha delivering the opening remarks.

Mr Mathome stated that the Grand Wine Tasting events are aimed at not just increasing the market share of South African Wines but to show that in terms of quality and packaging, they can compete with the very best.

He noted that the wine producers are excited to visit Lagos and would like to make new friends and contacts, while also stressing that one of the goals of WOSA is to create new ambassadors of South African Wines

“Those of you who are tasting South African wines for the first time, I can assure you will not try wines from any other region after tonight because there is no need to settle for the rest, when you have tested the best” he added jocularly.

In the course of our interaction with the wines producers, we were informed that Red Wine planting now constitute 45.45% of the national vineyard with white wine varieties accounting for 54.6%. The rapid and dramatic increase in red wine production in South Africa has been due to international demand.

We were also told that in the past decade there has been a renaissance in the wine industry, with new plantings, new knowledge and new generation of enthusiastic wine makers producing wines which are winning international accolades.

South Africa, which has a wine making tradition and history dating back over three and half centuries blends the elegance of the old world with the accessible fruit-driven style of the new world, making for varied and exciting wines which eloquently express the extraordinary diversity and fascinating people of the country’s wine-making region, aptly called: The Cape.

One of the wine producers described The Cape Winelands as being among the most breathtaking, beautiful, scenic and spectacular landcapes in the world.

In the course of the jolly evening which had Ovation International as its Media Partner, a lot of networking ensued, and guests were served loads of canapés, chocolates, cheese-and of course assorted red, white and sparkling wines.

The Accra event was held at the prestigious Movenpick Ambassador Hotel, and the producers such as Accolades Wines, Bayede!, Distell, DGB, KWV, La Ricmal, Overhex, Vinimax and Women In Wine were there to showcase their products and also spent time chatting with guests and giving out vital information such as the fact that South Africa boasts the highest number of Fairtrade certified wineries in the world, it is the only wine region in the world that has its own auditing body, the Wine and Agricultural Ethical Trading Association (WIETA) and produces the most elegant wines in the world.

Events

Adedapo Amoo Gives Dad Befitting Burial in Ogbomosho

Published

1 week ago

December 16, 2024

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

It was a period of solemn reflection and thanksgiving as the Director, Department of State Services (DSS), Lagos State Command, Mr. Adedapo Amoo, dedicated three whole days to bid his beloved father, Pa John Adewole Amoo JP, farewell to the great beyond.

The events, which gathered friends, family members, colleagues, associates and members of various communities, was a testament to the life the octogenarian lived in his 87 years of existence on earth.

The obsequies kickstarted with a Commendation Service at the Ebenezer Baptist Church, Eleyele, Ile-Ife, where members of the public eulogised the life and times of the patriarch of the Amoo dynasty, labeling him a moralist and disciplinary of no mean fit.

The day after, the ceremonies moved to the residence of the deceased at Castle of Mercy, Arinkinkin, along Oyo-Ibadan Road, Ogbomoso, where a Wake Service was held in his honour amid rendition of hymns, reading of distinct chapters of the Bible and exhortation as presented by the presiding minister.

A well attended funeral service was observed on the third day at the Stadium Baptist Church, John A. Amoo Street, right behind Stadium Complex in Ogbomosho.

With a solemn presentation of the enviable life of the deceased via the reading of his biography by his son, Adedapo Amoo, the Service delved into Bible readings, songs and sermon. One of the highlights of the Service was the prayers said for the repose of the soul of the dead, and for the fortitude to bear the loss for members of his family.

After the service, members of the family, selected members of the leity and officiating members proceeded with the remains to its final resting place within the premises of his residence. After a very short encouraging exhortation, the remains were committed to mother-earth amid solemn hymns and silent sobs.

The final part of the ceremony, which was the reception, was held at the Viva Continental Event Centre, Irese Apa Road, also in Ogbomosho, where guests were treated to sumptuous delicacies, good music and choice beverages.

Pa Amoo was born in 1937, and answered the call to glory in 2024. He is survived by his son, Adedapo Amoo and a host of others.

May his soul rest in peace!

Photos: Tunde Bolarinwa

Events

The Splendid Diamond Jubilee Celebration of Barr. Daniel Aramide

Published

5 months ago

July 28, 2024

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The ancient city of Abeokuta was agog when celebrated lawyer and businessman, Barrister Daniel Aramide, pulled all stops to give himself a well deserved diamond jubilee bash.

The event, which took place in his palatial residence at Boldan House, Kemta Housing Estate, Zone II, Idi Aba, Abeokuta, Ogun State, was a beehive of activities as friends, colleagues, family members and well wishers came in their numbers to grace the spectacular event.

It was a moment of joy and visible emotion as the birthday boy beamed smiles after smiles and grinned from ear to ear in absolute ecstacy amid cheers from guests even as he danced away to the sonorous voice of music maestro, Yinka Ayefele, and tunes from the wheels of DJ Secxy, who rocked the house with a combination of oldies and present sounds.

The event, planned by Que-Brand Events, also made available plenty to eat and drink as Topsy Catering, Jimmysgrillz, Pop House Cocktails, Slot Films, Amala Iya Oyo, Sansan Pots Catering and Annidre’s Food were all on hand to serve both local and continent dishes as well as assorted beverages.

Among dignitaries in attendance were the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Abeokuta, HRM (Prof.) Saka Adelola Matemilola, Otileta VII; the Olowu of Owu Kuta, HRM, Oba Hameed Adekunle Makama Oyelude; Mrs. Funmi Kehinde, Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Omolola Odutola and friends from the United Kingdom.

A seasoned lawyer, Aramide graduated with LLB honors from the University of East Anglia in Norwich, England, and later attended the Nigerian Law School. He was called to the Bar in 1989, and afterwards, returned to England to start his law career, working in several organizations to gain valuable experience.

Barrister Aramide is also a qualified Notary Public, having completed two years of studies at University College London. His firm is based in Dagenham, East London.

He is married to Alhaja Aminat Bolupe Aramide and they are blessed with three children: Bola, Emmanuel and Olamide.

Photos: Segun Lawal

Events

Sights and Sounds from Bimbo Oloyede’s ‘Command Your Stage’ Book Presentation

Published

7 months ago

June 9, 2024

Eric

Photos by Koya Adegbite

Veteran broadcaster, Mrs Bimbo Oloyede, on Thursday, hosted a public presentation of her new book, Command Your Stage, at the Metropolitan Place, in Victoria Island.