•Details Of The Classy Event On May Day
It was a full house on Wednesday, May 1, 2019, as the much-publicised 1st City People Ondo Female Entrepreneurship Awards came alive at the Royal Parklane Hotel, Ijapo Housing Estate in Akure, Ondo State, On that day, City People Magazine honoured deserving female entrepreneurs who are making waves in their various spheres of business. The event played host to many Ondo Commissioner, SA’s, top-notch politicians, captains of industry as well as reputable guests who thronged the venue en masse to felicitate with their own.
The event started at 2.30pm with the singing of the National Anthem. It was followed by the opening speech from the Publisher/Editor-In-Chief of the City People Magazine, Dr SEYE KEHINDE. In his speech, he welcomed all the awardees and guests and thanked them for their 23-years support of the publication. He enjoined them to keep patronising the magazine in all their areas of endeavours. Below City People’s ONDO/EKITI Correspondent, ADEOLA SHITTU serves you the gist from the ceremony.
ABOUT THE VENUE
The maiden edition of City People Female Entrepreneurship Award was held at the Royal Parklane Hotel Hall, Ijapo Estate Akure. The hotel is owned by former Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, who is now a House of Reps lawmaker-elect, representing Owo/Ose Federal Constituency, Hon Timi Alalegbe. The venue accommodated over 400 guests who came to felicitate with City People and the awardees.
ONDO FIRST LADY WAS HONOURED
One of the female entrepreneurs who was honoured at the first Ondo City People Female Entrepreneur was Her Excellency, Arabirin Betty Anyanwu Akeredolu, who also doubled as the chief host of the day. Though she was not present, she was ably represented by Mrs Temitope Daniyan, a Special Adviser to Her Excellency, Arabirin Betty Anyanwu Akeredolu on Gender, Research and Documentation in Ondo State. Mama digital, as she is fondly called is an advocate of entrepreneurship in various capacities and in the last 2 years has through her office as the First Lady empowered women to sustain their means of likelihood. Her BRECAN programmes have also gone a long way to help reduce the rate of breast cancer attack and create awareness and make treatment available and also enlightening them on how to prevent it. She was honoured with Special Achievers Award in contribution to the growth and development of the womenfolk in Ondo State.
MEET THE AWARDEES
Not fewer than 11 female entrepreneurs were honoured at the maiden edition of City People Entrepreneurship Award. They are women of repute, who had been in business for a very long time and are still making waves. The event had Her Excellency Arabirin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu (First Lady, Ondo State) who survived 2-years ravages of breast cancer as the chief host. While Ms Omolola Fadayomi, the CEO of Celebrated Interiors who started her interior décor business 19 years ago in Ondo State was the co-host. She won the best Interior decor Company in Ondo State. The pretty wife of Hon. Abiola Makinde, the House of Reps Lawmaker-elect for Ondo West and Ondo East Federal Constituency, Dr Mrs Rhoda Makinde, was also a co-host. Though she was not present but she was ably represented by her PA (Personal Assistant) Mrs Dorcas Oluwarotimi and members of DROMI Initiative. She bagged Special Female Achievers Awards. Other awardees were: Madam Itiola Dorcas Akinlosotu, the CEO of Itiola Aso-Oke, won the Aso-Oke dealer of the year, Oloori Funmi Bello O. The CEO of Fashion Pavilion, won Special Female Achiever’s award in the fashion business, Mrs Dayo Ogunbodede Animasaun a.k.a Dayo Oniresi, the CEO of Danifas Food, won the Innovative Food Vendor in Ondo State, Mrs Yetunde Kolawole, the CEO of Kadyet Fabrics & Boutique, won the Aso Ebi dealer of the year, Mrs Olayinka Odunayo Michael, the CEO of Psquare Event, won the Event Décor of the year, Mrs. Asaolu Popoola, one the few females who are making it big in the Oil & Gas business, and the CEO of Nikkychoice Oil & Gas, won Female Oil dealer of the year, Mrs Olubunmi Haruna, the CEO of Sammy Venture, won the Outstanding Female Tiles Merchant of the year and Ms. Adebukola Adebola Adeniyi, the pretty daughter of Senator Tony Adeniyi and the CEO of Budekol Modest Ent. Ltd, a subsidiary of Budekol Mart, won Special Female Achievers Award.
HON. PRINCE SOLAGBADE AMODENI FLIES IN FROM UK
Hon. Prince Solagbade Amodeni is one of the long-serving political appointees in the history of Ondo State, he has always been part of governance since 1999. He served during the late Adefarati’s administration. He was part of the late Agagu’s administration. He was a commissioner during Ex-Gov. Mimiko’s administration and today he is serving as the Commissioner for Physical Planning & Urban Development in Gov. Akeredolu’s government. He is a politician of repute and one of the industrious sons of Akoko. He flew into the country a day to the event owing to his passion for entrepreneurship mostly among the womenfolk. He presented the first set of awards. He was at the event in the company of his Director and Mr Sunday Aghotoba (Permanent Secretary Ministry of Physical Planning & Urban Development).
HON JUSTICE TITI ADESOLA IKPATT LOOKS STUNNING
Hon. Justice Titi Adesola Ikpatt is one of the brilliant and beautiful Judges at the Customary Court of Appeal in Ondo State. The cool and pretty Judge was one of the personalities who stormed City People 1st Female Entrepreneurship Award. She was looking stunning in her well-tailored Ankara skirt and blouse. She presented the second set of the award.
THE AKINTERINWA BROTHERS ALSO PRESENT
The Akinterinwas are known for their fashion sense because fashion runs in the family. Hon. Yinkasalard Akinterinwa, former S.A. to Governor Mimiko and the Publisher of Impact Weekly Magazine and Hon. Wale Akinterinwa 2-term Commissioner for Finances attended the event. It will interest you to know that the 2 brothers are politicians but they belong to different political parties.
MADAM AKINLOSOTU DAZZLES IN HER ALARI ATTIRE
Madam Itiola Dorcas Akinlosotu is one of the 5 top Alari and Aso-Oke sellers in Ondo town. Aside from the fact that mama and her guests arrived early, they all looked stunning in their popular Ondo attire, called Alari. It will interest you to know that an Ondo socialite is not complete without the touch of Alari when attending any social function. Mama came with her children and they include Dr. (Mrs) Osho Omisalana. She came with her husband and their child, Miss Temilope Osho (Mama’s grandchild) and Mrs Morenikeji Akinlosotu mama’s daughter-in-law.
MEET OUR SPONSORS
One of those who supported the event is a leading-home confectionary in the state. It is I-Dot cakes owned by Mrs Adedotun Adedeji Ogundiran. It is located at Plot 24, road 2A, Goshen Community, Futa South Gate, Akure, Mrs. Adelino Cakes “N” More, owned by Mrs. Onile Tolulope, while Dora Food opposite School of Nursing Alagbaka, Akure, owned by Umogbai Theodora, contributed her quota with cupcakes and doughnuts while Primus Co-Op industries supported with water. Danfas Food catered for the guests while Psquare did the décor. Boo Bliss handled the Small Chops and Cocktail drinks.
BETWEEN REDCARPET TV & KAFTAN TV
We should not forget to tell you that Redcarpet TV and Kaftan TV gave media support to cover the event at no cost, as they took charge of the red carpet. Red carpet TV is owned by Ondo Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Hon. Yemi Olowolabi, while Kaftan TV is owned by Barr. Adewole Bayo President African Dialogue Mission and Chairman Kaftan Communication.
ONDO STATE COMMISSIONERS REPRESENTED
The first City People Female Entrepreneurship Award also witnessed the presence of Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu’s political appointees. Aside from the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Prince Solagbade Amodeni, who was also present, the event played host to the Commissioner for Environment Hon. Funsho Esan, Engr. Tunji Light Ariyomo (Special Adviser for Utilities), Mrs Wunmi Ilawole (Special Adviser On Education), Princess Dupe Adetuwo Member Governing Council, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akugba Akoko among others.
FORMER GUBER ASPIRANT, AKINWALE AKINGBADE, ALSO CAME
He is one of the big boys from Ondo State, though he is based in Lagos. He was one of the gubernatorial aspirants in the 2016 Ondo State governorship race. He came to honour City People Magazine. He looked calm in his white babariya outfit.
ONDO LGS CARETAKER CHAIRMEN REPRESENTED
The Ondo State Caretaker Chairmen were well represented at the event. Their presence added glamour to the event. The likes of Hon. Yomi Babatunde Chairman Akoko South East, Ondo, Hon. Ayo Akande Chairman Akoko North West, Ondo. He came with his pretty wife, Mrs Foluke Akande, Mrs Morayo Atikase (wife of Chairman Otiti Ikase, Ilaje LG), Mrs Akosile wife of Prince Hon. Akin Akosile supervisor councillor for works among others came.
ONDO TOWN CELEBRITIES CAME TO HONOUR MADAM AKINSOLOTU
Mama Itiola Aso-Oke is, no doubt, one of the famous Aso-Ofi sellers in Ondo town and she is well connected with the who is who in the state because she specialises in Alari Asooke type and her philanthropic gestures are second to none. That was why the high and mighty in Ondo town stormed the state capital, Akure to celebrate with her and they are Mrs Omotola Osunleti, Mrs Agnes Akinrinola, Mrs Anike Akinwande, Mrs Temitope Agboola, Mr Aladetuyi Cyril, Mrs Doris Ayodele, Chief (Mrs.) Iluyemi (Former Commissioner For Education Ondo State), Mrs Eric Bayowa, Mrs Funke Akinbimi, Mrs Olafisoye, Mrs Peju Akindolie, Mrs Akinmimiju, Mrs Ajayi Margret, Mrs Tai Fadayomi, Alhaja Bimbo Yusuf. Chief (Mrs.) Mowamimola Akinyelure, Mrs Margaret Akinrademo, Mrs Ceccy Akinsumoye, Mrs Olufunke Hamizat, Mrs Adesida Mubo, Mr Akintunde and Mrs Akinbosade, among others.
AYANGBAYI BATA AND TOSIN KINGSAX THRILL GUESTS
Ayangbayi Bata, came all the way from Ondo town with his band to entertain guests with his talking drum led by his little six-year-old daughter of six years. While Tosin Kingsax also thrilled the guests.
WHO ANCHORED THE EVENTS
The event was anchored by the best hands in the broadcasting industry in the state and they are On-Air-Personalities. No wonder there was no dull moment as guests were on their seats. Mrs Omolola Awolowo Akinbo was formerly working with Breeze 91.9fm before she left to float her media outfit called FYNSake Media. Mr Steve Shotamiwa, fondly called Sweet Steve is a presenter and a standup comedian, who has made name for himself in the entertainment industry. While Ojo Awogbemi, fondly called Kabiyesi breeze was a former staffer at GM Breeze Fm.
ROLL CALL
Hon. Yinkasalard Akinterinwa, Editor Goke Oluwole, Mr. Taiwo Gold, Mrs. Lara Fasoranti CEO Heavenly Kids, Mrs. Tessy Akpoyinbo aka Mama Emma, Pastor Yemi, Pastor Kehinde, Mrs Bola Adams, Hajia Nofisat Abayomi, Mr. Olatunji Jureel, Bola Oyewo, Mr. and Mrs. Opeyemi Victor Ademeso who runs Burger food confectionary, Mrs. Yinka Odekunle came from Abuja, Tpl Jones Lurogho, Tpl Abimbola Tofowomo, Tpl Fola Oyewole, Tpl Yinka Agi, Tpl Akintunde Rachael, Tpl Adebose, Mrs. Omowole, Mr. Steve & Bayode (State Director Of Media & Publicity), Princess Akinbola, Mrs Aderiye Ronke, Mrs. Taki Folake Abraham, Engr. Ade, Mum Soga, Mum Olubayo, Mrs Joke Jegede, Mrs Bola Denis, Mrs Okunrin Koya, Miss Funmi Onifade, Princess Adeloladeleye, Hon. Diamond Animashaun, Mrs Bose Kako, Princess Akinbola, Esv. (Mrs.) Adeniraye Ronke, Mrs Taki, Mrs Folake Abraham, Engr. Ade Bello, Bar. Ivie Bello, Mrs Dolapo Adedeke, Mr Dave Bello, Mrs Dorcas Olarotimi, Mrs Bridget Akindiose, Mrs Victoria Oloro, Mrs Bimpe Obamidun, Mr Ayodeji Ayotunde, Mrs Queen Oladapo. Mrs Omotola Osunleti, Mrs Agnes Akinrinola, Mrs Anike Akinwande, Mrs Temitope Agboola, Mr Aladetuyi Cyril, Mrs Doris Ayodele, Dr (Mrs) Osho Omisalana, Chief (Mrs.) Iluyemi (Former Commissioner For Education Ondo State), Mrs Eric Bayowa, Mrs Funke Akinbimi, Mrs Olafisoye, Mrs Peju Akindolie, Mrs Akinmimiju, Mrs Ajayi Margret, Mrs Tai Fadayomi, Alhaja Bimbo Yusuf. Chief (Mrs.) Mowamimola Akinyelure, Mrs. Margaret Akinrademo, Mrs. Ceccy Akinsumoye, Mrs. Olufunke Hamizat, Mrs. Adesida Mubo, Mr. Taye, Miss Temilope Osho (grandchild), Mrs. Moronkeji Akinlosotu, Mr. Akintunde, Mrs. Akinbosade, Mrs. Anteji Grace (Ageless Agency), Oluyemi Aso-Oke, Lola Ogetinz, Mrs. Temitope Faloye, Mrs. Abimbola Bello (Taak Cocktail), Mr. Yomi Babatunde (Chairman Akoko South East, Ondo), Ayo Akande (Chairman Akoko North West, Ondo), Mr. Fola Aiyegbusi, Mrs. Biola Abisrose and many more.
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