•Gists From The Glamorous Event
It was a gathering of stakeholders in Ibadan business, corporate, social and political circles on Sunday (17th October 2021), at Mauve 21 Events Centre, Ring Road, Ibadan, where the oldest celebrity magazine in Nigeria, City People honoured some young entrepreneurs who have distinguished themselves in their various chosen fields, at the maiden edition of City People Ibadan Young Entrepreneurs’ Awards.
The event, according to the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of City People Magazine, Dr. Seye Kehinde, was put together to honour and encourage young entrepreneurs (both male and female) who have set up businesses and run them profitably over the years. At the award programme, 42 young entrepreneurs were honoured for their outstanding contributions to their various sectors, which cuts across Fashion & Beauty, Banking, Entertainment, Advertising & Branding, Oil & Gas, Agric Business, Security, Real Estate, Events & Interior Decor, Tailoring etc.
The well-attended event was glamorous and colourful. A good number of celebrities from all walks of life graced the occasion. From the settings, props, lights and decorations everything was excellently put in place. City People’s IBADAN Correspondent, DARE ADENIRAN, the brain behind the award program, in this report, captures the behind the scene gists from the elaborate and beautifully packaged event and why its memories will live long not only in the minds of the awardees but also the eminent personalities who graced the event. Read the excerpts below.
THE EVENT AT A GLANCE
The maiden edition of City People Ibadan Young Entrepreneurs’ Awards ceremony was a bang. It attracted people from different sectors in Ibadan and beyond. Apart from the lavish decorations and the beautiful ladies from Wole Sawe’s Exquisit Ushers, the event also showcased some talents who held quests spellbound with their electrifying performances. Da Crystals Dance Academy, an Ibadan based dance group and another cultural group, Akanjiamoke Entertainment from Oyo gave brilliant accounts of themselves at the event. The event started with red carpet section during which guests were interviewed on the red carpet and also took turns in taking photographs at the photo arena just by the entrance of the hall with pictures of awardees at the background. It was indeed a colourful scene. None of the guests wanted to miss the moment and the paparazzi that followed. The event proper kickstarted with City People’s publisher, Dr. Seye Kehinde’s remarks, after an opening prayer by a popular TV Presenter and anchor, Princess Bunmi Labiyi. Prince Adewuyi’s OB Security men were in charge of security at the event. D.J Gavpop was on the wheels of steel. Ripples Catering provided small chops for guests.
WHY THE AWARD
City People Ibadan Young Entrepreneurs’ Awards is aimed at celebrating value and excellence in some youths who have distinguished themselves in business. It’s also a way of encouraging the aspiring youths, to let them know that indeed, there is reward for diligence and hard work.
In his opening remarks City People publisher, Seye Kehinde gave more insights into these. “We are gathered here to honour youths who we think deserve our commendation. It’s an evening of entrepreneurship, an evening of entrepreneurs and an evening of people who took the courage to set up outfits, companies and organisations against all odds. You and I know that it’s almost impossible to set up a business today and run it profitably. But here gathered this evening ladies and gentlemen who have done so well in setting up businesses and still keeping these businesses alive.”
MEET THE AWARDEES
Young entrepreneurs honoured at the maiden edition of ‘City People Ibadan Young Enterpreneurs’ Awards for their outstanding to their various sectors include Alhaji Shakir Adebayo CEO, Apex Fabrics; Abioye Abayomi CEO, Ishol Events; Chief Ahmed Ajibola (General H) CEO, Copacapana Group; Seun Oluwajana CEO, Canwest Media and Timmy Jatto CEO, Timjat Global Resources.
Also on the list of awardees are Azeez Titilayo Yemisi CEO, Zeeza Events; Are Gbenga Eyiolawi CEO, Titan Farms; Adewale Adebowale CEO, Hillside Agro Merchant Limited; Mrs. Eunice Adeoye CEO, Ripples Catering and Events; Engr. Muyiwa Babalola CEO, Able 2 Productions (Able TV); Sanni Muyideen Olakunle CEO, OGR Empire; Yinka Sanusi CEO, D’Ace Tailoring; Favour Essang CEO, Dexterity Plus Decor; Adewumi Oladiti MD, SAO Petroleum; Wole Akinnusi CEO, Fullrange Microfinance Bank Limited and Otunba Moses Adebayo CEO, Basco Group.
We also have the likes of Adeola Layade CEO, Exquisito Confectioneries; Arch. Hassan Giwa CEO, Amron Global; Mary Adetoun Odanye CEO, Marybel Newlook Boutique; Mr. Sunday Oni CEO, Broadnet Multimedia Concept; Ojo-Phillips Olamide CEO, Saphyr Events; Kikelomo Olayeni Idowu CEO, Kyksie Drapes Events; Tiwaloluwa Adegbenro CEO, Tiwathetailor; Gavaar Popoola (DJ Gavpop); Osofisan Itunuoluwa CEO, M.A.G Ventures; Ayoola Oluwatosin CEO, Lypix Photography; Adejoke Lasisi CEO, Planet 3R and Jokelinks; Christiana Adetola Oyelami CEO, Bankyloolas Cuisine; Prince Temilade Adewuyi-CEO, OB Security; Mrs. Kikelomo Olayeni Idowu CEO, Kyksie Drapes Events; Femi Odewole CEO, Deo Reality; Mrs. Ebunoluwa Akinwale CEO, Nature’s Treats; Mr. Seun Bamiro CEO, Y-North/ Cloud Cooperative; Olalemi Olawale CEO, Wale Zion Band and Bunmi Odumosu CEO Slayers Corner.
While Ayegbesan Oluwafemi Ayodeji (DJ Sexcy) CEO, Playaz Entertainment awarded with Special Recognition for his remarkable contributions to the entertainment industry in Ibadan; Akinola Ojo, Regional Manager, Coca Cola got Special Recognition on his immense supports to Events, Entrepreneur & Retail Business in Oyo State and Mr. Olaniran Kunle GM, Mauve 21 & Mauve Lounge LTD as honoured with Special Recognition Award for his remarkable contributions to Events, Entertainment and Hospitality Industries.
ABOUT THE LOVELY DECORATIONS
Apart from the fact that the event was excellently organized and well attended, another key point was the beautiful decorations both inside and outside the hall. Favour Essang of Dexterity Plus did wonders with the Black and Gold decorations of the hall. While Azeez Titilayo Yemisi of Zeeza Events lavishly decorated both red carpet and photo arena with lovely flowers and lights. Broadnet Multimedia Concept also helped in brightening up the two areas. The decorations and lights and the red carpet were magnificent scenes to behold.
WITH LOVE FROM OYO NUJ
Chairman, Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, Comrade Demola Babalola was one of the prominent guests at the event. He was there to honour the City People Magazine despite his very tight schedule. He didn’t come alone, he was there alongside powerful members of his Exco.
…. SWEGOP TOO
The South West Group of Online Publishers (SWEGOP) was not left out of action at the event too. The able Chairman of the Group and the Publisher of Parrot Xtra Magazine, Olayinka Agboola was fully present. Other members of the Group at the event include Remi Oladoye of National Insight and Sikiru Akinola, Publisher of Oyoinsight.com. They all came to support their own, Dare Adeniran.
TOP CELEBRITIES SHOWED LOVE
To say that the maiden edition of the ‘City People Ibadan Young Enterpreneurs’ Awards’ ceremony was successful is like stating an obvious. People turned out en masse, all the awardees were present. Those who also added glamour to the event, however, were prominent celebrities who came to support City People. They include the former Lady Captain of Ibadan Golf Club, Chief (Mrs) Ronke Thomas; Vice President, Ibadan Recreation Club, Otunba Abayomi Olaitan of YOMDEX Rentals and Events; Executive Assistant to the Governor of Oyo State on Disability Matters, Barr. Ayodele Adekanmbi; Otunba Dimeji Adetilewa; Arewa House of Culture boss, Princess Folashade Adeyemi; popular TV personality and anchor, Princess Bunmi Labiyi; veteran theatre practitioner, Pa Kayode Olaiya popularly known as Aderupoko; the crossover king, Rotimi Martins aka ‘Alariwo’; and several others.
3 HOT LADIES WHO DAZZLED AT THE EVENT
Though there were lots of beautiful ladies at the event but there were these three of them that really dazzled. They were the cynosure of all eyes at the event. While Bunmi Odumosu, CEO, Slayers Corner caught people’s attention for her astonishing beauty and curvy body structure, Mary Odanye of Marybell Newlook Boutique almost caused a commotion with her huge backside as she walked down the aisle to receive her award. She looked fabulous in her Gold flowing gown. Meanwhile, many couldn’t take their eyes off Ebunoluwa Akinwale, CEO of Nature’s Treats’ glowing skin and beauty too. These are all married women and mothers of adorable children but still, they pay attention to their bodies and appearance. They were really the hottest babes at the event.
THE SUPPORTING BRANDS
The maiden edition of City People Ibadan Young Entrepreneurs Awards 2021 couldn’t have been successful without the concerted effort and commitment of some people, especially Canwest Media and the local committee. These are the brands that supported the event in one way or the other. On the list are Mauve 21 Events Centre, Able 2 Productions/Able TV, Deo Reality of Femi Odewole, Dexterity Plus, OB Security, Exquisit Ushers by Wole Sawe, Broadnet Multimedia Concept, Lypix Photography, Canwest Media, Zeeza Events, Bankyloolas, Ripples Catering and Events, Saphyr Events, Blue Nun, Coca-Cola DJ Gavpop, Box18 Media and Goldmender Global Investment.
……APEX FABRICS & CO TOO
Apart from the above-mentioned brands, there are other individuals whose names should be mentioned. They are also part of the success story of the event. They include Apex Fabrics boss, Alhaji Shakir Adebayo; Chief Ahmed Ajibola, CEO Copacapana Group; Adewumi Oladiti, MD, SAO Petroleum; Itunuoluwa Osofisan, CEO M.A.G Ventures; Yinka Sanusi, CEO D’Ace Tailoring; Are Gbenga Eyiolawi, CEO Titan Farms; Salawu Mariam Wuraola, CEO Marigold Unisex Boutique and Bunmi Odumosu, CEO Slayers Corner.
THE BEAUTIFUL 25TH ANNiVERSARY CAKE
It’s no longer news that City People is 25. In fact, it has been a celebration galore since the beginning of this year. The Management of the magazine has earmarked different activities to mark this milestone achievement. It’s a while year celebration. Little wonder that an anniversary cake was cut at the maiden edition of City People Ibadan Young Entrepreneurs Awards. The beautiful Cream and White cake, with City People’s logo boldly embossed on it, was designed by Exquisito Ccnfectioneries boss, Adeola Layade (Azaria). She also supplied cupcakes for the enjoyment of guests at the event.
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