Life presents us with several remarkable moments,and the most adored moments among them all, are those spent with loved ones.
It was the realisation of this fact that made the celebration of Alhaja Jemilat Akinpelu’s 70th birthday all the more special.
It was a moment of tremendous joy for the beautiful mother of five, considering that not everyone is privileged to attain that age.
Saturday, 10th April, 2021, unquantifiable happiness filled her heart, as expressed in ceaseless charming smiles that permanently lingered on her face.
This was because the more her life was praised and celebrated, she continued to thank Almighty Allah for His grace.
It was a day of prayer, thanksgiving and appreciation to Almighty Allah at the Elysian Event, Bankole Haven.686/km 32, Lagos-Abeokuta Exp.Way, Casso B/Stop, Alagbado, Lagos.
The prayer was ran by Chief Imam from Dalemo Central Mosque in person of Alfa Imam AbdulWahab Afolabi.
The celebrator, who was beautifully dressed in a cream-and-gold native attire, enjoyed the session as the clerics wished her sound health, long life and many more years of celebration.
During the sermon,the imam reviewed Alhaja Jemilat Akinpelu’s contribution to Islam and how unique she had been in all spheres of life. Prayers were also said for her husband, Alhaji Akinpelu.
The Elysian Event Centre, Lagos was filled to the capacity,with Taibos Creative World (Event Decorator) taking great care to beautifully decorate the place.
The entrance was grand just as the celebrator’s children had planned.
The remarkable ceremony started with the proverbial “red” carpet,which came in diverse colours of purple, gold and white. Also, the venue was lit up with classy chandeliers, which made the venue look exquisite and it created an atmosphere of love and happiness.
Guests were gaily dressed and seated, in white-and-purple colour.
CELEBRAtor ENTRANCE
The celebrator was ushered to the head table, as her children and friends joined her to dance to K1 music from the DJ.
MASTER OF CEREMONY
They say Masters of Ceremonies (MC) make events, and the saying proved correct, Wonder Man, a rising star, anchored the event.
The multi-linguist proved to be a professional as he played his part with peerless precision immediately the event kicked off, while Elder Isiaka Amusa said the opening prayers in a Christian way, Alfa Abdulwahab Afolabi said, the opening prayers in Islamic way and remarked both Christians and Muslims are one.
LET’S TELL A LITTLE STORY ABOUT THE CELEBRATOR
A lot was said about the celebrator by family members, friends, children, husband and Daleko market traders.
From the good to the downright, the no-holds-barred tributes and remarks exposed the real Alhaja Jemilat Akinpelu. Indeed, some remarks were vivid descriptions of the humane side of the celebrator’s life, which many never knew. She was described as a patient woman, hardworking woman, prayerful woman, selfless, loving, caring woman, a woman who cherishes the simple things of life, a self assured and confident woman who considered no one a threat to her mission in life.
Alhaja Noyimot Olasunkanmi Busari, the celebrant’s 1st daughter, described her mother as a wonderful human being and true mother, who was always there for everyone.
CITY PEOPLE MAGAZINE ON GROUND
City People society reporters made up of Titilope Oshulalu, Nurudeen Akorede and Oluwaferanmi Busayo Ayoade were present to give you the full gist of what went on at the party.
EWI (POEM)
The event was also enlivened with an ewi praiser in person of Akewidola, a presenter of Beere Wo programme on Radio Lagos, Nigeria. Akewidola praised the celebrator in her dialet.
Truly, it was a turbo-charged affair from start to finish.
CUTTING OF THE CAKE
The cutting of the cake was officiated by Alhaji Imam Ore,one of the spiritual fathers to the celebrator.
The exercise was brilliantly,done at the count of A-L-L-A-H.
The celebrator now decked in a well-designed royal and toquiose blue lace native attire, appreciated friends, family members and loved ones, who contributed to the success of the event.She specially appreciated her husband and children for their support.
DANCE! DANCE!! DANCE!!!
Guests joined the celebrator on the dance floor and it was a revel all the way. It was really a great way to celebrate Alhaja Jemilat Akinpelu’s 70th.
The party was well attended by dignitaries, elites and entrepreneurs.
Mama Salako (Mother of the day), Ifeyinwa Magosco (Chairperson) Mrs Ngozi,Hon.Abimbola Morenikeji Abdul,Yeye Banke Adetoro CEO of Royal Textile in UK and her husband Otunba Mogaji Akeem Adetoro. Others were Mrs Morenikeji and her husband, Mrs Gola, Mrs Akinseku, Alhaja Adedayo Agboluaje, Alhaja Atilola Agboluaje Ajimobi, Mrs Akindun, Mr Kenny Akindun,Princess Margret Adesida Akindun, Alhaja Yinka Olayiwola, Mrs Yetunde Bankole, Alhaji Wahab Oshodi, Adisa Fatimo, Ogundipe Yetunde, Mrs Daramola Musumat, Mrs Shittu Sherifat, Alhaja Magbade Basirat, Alhaja Daramola Rashidat, Adogun Usman Tomiwa, Tokunbo Steven, T Girl, Alhaja Titilade Oketokun, Omotola Ojo, Alhaja Serifat Martins,
CAKE by Nike, DJ was Leodot
The Celebrator Speaks
Can we meet you?
My name is Alhaja Jemilat Akinpelu.
What is happening here today?
Today is my 70th birthday.
How are you feeling today being your 70th birthday?
First of all, I thank Almighty Allah,my children, I mean all my children, my children have promised God that, if God spares the life of their mother till this age, they will praise God.
I feel happy, I feel good, I feel honour, I am thanking God because,all that i am asking from Him. He is doing it for me, I am thanking Him for what He has done and the one that He is yet to do for me.
You look beautiful at 70, any secret behind your beauty?
It is the mercy of God,when I was a young girl and living in Ifo,when I was in primary school, it was garri and moinmoin or cold eba with gbure vegetable soup that we ate and we would use 100 naira vaseline or coconut oil to rub our body, I have never bought cream before, and I drink alot of water. It was when we came to Lagos that we started eating tomato soup etc. It is just the mercy of God that I receive, I eat anything that I see, I will only advise people to pray and ask for mercy from God, that whatever they eat should work for them.
I also want to specifically thank my children, my children did wonderfully well, I want to appreciate Alhaja Noyimot, my 1st daughter, Alhaji Sherifat, Alhaji Akeem, Alhajj Ibrahim and Fatimo my last born, she did very well. My son in-law, Saheed Agbolade, Akeem Adekunle, Ibrahim Abiodun my son inlaw also,all my children stood by me,Taiye and Kehinde, Rasak Abayomi (my son in law) all my wives, my siblings, City People Media Group and everyone present to celebrate me today, I thank everyone and pray God will meet you all at the points of you needs.
I will also advise all young mothers to take care of their children. Don’t leave your husband because he doesn’t have money and leave the children. As a woman, be prayerful, tolerant and patient with your husband. Pray to God for God to bless your husband. Don’t leave your children to your husband because he doesn’t have money and run to a rich man. One day, your children will make you proud just as mine today.
In an interview with the celebrator’s 1st daughter,
Alhaja NOYIMOT OLASUNKANMI BUSARI
Can we meet you?
My name is Alhaja Noyimot Olasunkanmi Busari ,CEO Nobu Foundation.
How is the celebrator to you?
The celebrator is my mother, my sweet mother, I am her 1st born and 1st daughter, we call her Maami.
How are you feeling today?
Words cannot express how I feel today.
My mum is worth being celebrated. My mum is a prayer warrior. She is my best friend. She is next after God to me. There is nothing I don’t discuss with her. Nothing, I mean nothing, whenever, I am done, I call her and she makes me better, you can hear what people were saying about her in the hall. My friends call her Maami also. She is everyone’s mother. When she came to London, all my friends also called her Maami, even in my area in London, if not for the Covid-19 restrictions, all my friends would have been here today, but, they called her on the 6th, which was her birthday,they still called her today and they send their gifts and some were present here today.
How can you describe the celebrator (Maami).
My mother is a gentle person, friendly, pure, good, prayerful. She has never gone angry/upset. I have never seen her upset before, she likes to see everyone progress in life. She prays for everyone. No one has complained that my mum upset them. I am patient also, but, not as my mother. Little things get me upset whenever, I get upset, she calls to calm me down. I think she is happy today. You can see her moving here and there,just because she doesn’t want to upset anyone. Though,we cannot satisfy everyone, but, at least, we tried our best,the love from my mum to us was strong that,no one will know that my siblings are my step siblings, I am not Akinpelus, but, you will not know because of the love we show to everyone in the family.
We thank everyone who came to celebrate with us today.
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