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The Classy Funeral Of Respected Scholar, Prof. Lovett Lawson in Lagos

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By Eric Elezuo

The curtain fell at a time when his family members, friends, colleagues and as many whose lives he selflessly and meticulously touched were hoping his life has just started. The many humanitarian efforts he made to better the lives of people speak volumes and have endeared him to many, leading to the uncontrolled outburst of emotions as he was laid to rest. His name was Prof. (Sir) Lovett Latevi Lawson, popularly known as Lovito.

The main auditorium of the Wesley Chapel, Lekki, was filled with social distancing strictly observed, when a commendation/funeral service was held in honour of the accomplished Knight of John Wesley (KWJ), who died on July 13, 2020 at the age of 71.

Kick starting the emotion filled service was the rendition of ‘Hark Hark My soul…’ as a processional hymn which ushered in the clergy and the remains of the deceased, and followed closely by short inspirational speech of welcome by the Officiating Minister with the title purpose of our gathering.

 

Here, the congregation was reminded that Christians have sure ground for hope, confidence and joy in the face of death as Christ was raised again triumphantly and lives forevermore.

The brief welcome address was punctuated with a prayer, and followed by the alternate reading of the Bible in Psalm 90 before the book of 2 Corinthians 5: 1-10 was presented.

As the reading of the scripture was concluded, it was a well attentive congregation that sat still to listen to the great achievements of Prof. Lawson as captured in his biography as follows:

“Silently, a seed becomes a seedling; and a plant becomes a tree
Ever thunderous it sounds; when a tree falls to the ground
For its loss is not only felt by all those who sought comfort from its shade
But also seen the beauty of its presence” – Daniel Otobo 2020

“Professor Lovett ‘Lovito’ Latevi Lawson, went home to be with the Lord on Monday,  July 31,  2020 aged 71 years.

Born 15th of November, 1948 in Lagos, Prof. Lawson was the first of five children of Mr. and Mrs. Luther Tychus-Lawson. He had his secondary school education at the Baptist Academy and Igbobi College, Yaba. He obtained his Medical Degree from the University of Lagos in 1975, a Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (DTM&H), Masters in Tropical Medicine and a PhD in Tropical Medicine from Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. He was a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians Edinburgh.

“He was the Founder and Chairman of Zankli Medical Centre (ZMC), a private hospital in Abuja, Nigeria, one of the leading private hospitals in the capital city, and was until recently, a Professor of Clinical Tropical Medicine in the Dept. of Community Medicine and Primary Healthcare at the Bingham University, Nasarawa State.

He was Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences in the same University. At the University, besides teaching, he supervised Masters and PhD thesis, and secured research grants for Zankli Research Laboratories at ZMC and Bingham University.

Prof. Lovett Lawson strived for excellence in healthcare through honest patient care, diligent medical research and educating the next generation of Nigerian medical personnel.

“Prof. Lawson, through ZMC, was party to setting up the DOTS TB programme in Abuja in 2003 and thereafter maintained a close relationship with the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP), using his laboratory and Bingham University to provide free microscopy and culture services to some of the hospitals in the FCT and neighbouring States. He was involved with both local and international research organizations including, ABU Zaria, Bayero University, NTBLCP and WHO, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Institut d’ investigacio German Trias i pujol, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Spain and many others. Such research activities produced new diagnostic methods with over sixty papers published in peer review journals.
Prof. Lawson was a member of several advisory and technical committees including the Green Light Committee, African Region, responsible for regulating the use of second line drugs for Drug resistant TB, the National Technical Group on health sector response on HIV and AIDS, National TB/HIV working group, Technical Committee TB Prevalence Study (Nigerian WHO office) among others. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of Nutrition International and the Nigerian Infectious Disease Society (NIDS).

Prof Lawson recently stepped down as the Chairman of the Stop TB Partnership, Nigeria and was conferred as the Life Patron of the same organization. He was in 2019 recognised for his outstanding contribution to the Partnership with an award presented by Her Excellency, Dr Mrs Aisha Muhammad Buhari.

“He was a member of several professional bodies. These include the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) of which he was a former Chairman of the Abuja Chapter, Association of Private and Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (AGPMPN), Guild of Medical Directors (GMD), World Association of Family Physicians (WONCA), American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) and International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IUATLD). He was a Fellow of the Association of General Practice (FAGP) and Fellow of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. He was awarded the Distinguished Medical Practitioner (DMP) award by his peers for the growth of private medical practice and recognised on the honour roll of the NMA for his selfless service and contribution to the Association.

“Prof. Lawson was a Knight of John Wesley (KJW) of the Methodist Church, Nigeria and a Patron of the Association of Methodist Brigades. He is credited as being one of those responsible for starting the 8.00am service at the Methodist Cathedral Church of Unity, Wuse, Abuja.

He was a recipient of several other awards beyond his professional and church life. These among others include:

Outstanding Alumni Award 2020: College of Medicine, University of Lagos

Merit Award 2011: For achievement in Entrepreneurship (MEDICINE). Igbobi College Old Boys Association.

Icon of Health, Certificate of Excellence (2011): Laudable performance, hardwork and contribution to National Service: West Africa Students Parliament.

Icon of Excellent Leadership (2010): Immense contribution to education and youth development in Nigeria: National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS).

Appreciation of Perennial Support to crime fighting effort of the division 2010: The Nigeria Police Force (FCT)

Excellence Award 2010: University of Abuja Medical Students (UAMSA).

“An all-round sportsman, he played golf frequently and was a member of IBB Golf club, Abuja. In his earlier life, he played a lot of football and subsequently polo and was captain of the Jos Polo Team. In later years, he became an Arsenal FC sympathiser and enjoyed swimming. He was a member of Yoruba Tennis Club, Past Chairman Igbobi College Old Boys Association (ICOBA) Abuja branch and Vice Chairman of the Zankli Fund Group, a family association of diaspora and local members of the Zankli-Lawson royal house of Aneho, Togo.

Prof. Lovett Lawson is survived by his loving wife – Dr Juliana Olufunke Lawson, their three sons Olurotimi, Oluwafemi and Oluwatope, their spouses Omotoyosi, Aderinsola and Olujoke, four grandchildren, three siblings and their spouses and a large extended family. Of family, he said there is NOTHING more important.

“Professor Lovett Lawson was a God-fearing, kind-hearted, loving family man, an administrator, a researcher, scholar and a teacher, a humanitarian and an outstanding entrepreneur in the field of medicine. He lived a purpose-filled life.”

In the preceding sermon, the Minister-in-charge eulogised the life and times of the departed, saying that he lived a purposeful life worthy of emulation while urging all present to borrow a leaf in the way Prof. Lawson lived his life.

He also prayed God to comfort his immediate and extended family members at the loss.

Following the sermon was special presentations from the group,  Holy City, which rendered wholesome songs to the delight of the congregation just before special prayers were said for the family of the deceased.

The obsequies came to a glorious end with the interment of Prof Lawson, carried by pallbearers dressed in kente wrapper tied across one shoulder, amid elaborate graveside ceremonies at the prestigious Ebony Vaults.

In his tribute, among an avalanche of tributes sent on his behalf by family and well wishers, Femi Lawson, who describes himself as his favourite son, made it simple, reflecting the thoughts of all who knew the deceased saying, “I miss you big guy…You are and will forever be my hero”.

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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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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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