Details Of The Classy Birthday
All roads led to Ilaro Ogun state, two Sunday’s back when popular businessman, Ibrahim Dende Egungbohun, popularly known as IBD Dende celebrated his 50th birthday party in grand style. It was an event attended by the movers and shakers in Nigeria from all walks of life. The grand event kicked started with a Muslim prayer at Dende’s residence in Ilaro, afterwards, the reception which was a strictly by invitation party was held at the Yewa Frontier Hotels, Ibese Road Ilaro. Dende, as he is fondly called, is known to be generous and very supportive of not just those in the entertainment industry alone, but his contribution to the people of Yewa and Ogun state as a whole was one of the reasons people came to show their love and the event was attended by top dignitaries, Dende is a big name in the society, and a generous man whose philanthropic gestures cut-across ethnic borders. Dende has other business interests including transport and hospitality. He is the Chairman of IBD IMPEX Limited, his clearing company has its headquarters in Ilaro. He also has IBD Hotel in Ilaro and Abeokuta. City People Ogun State Correspondent BUNMI MUSTAPHA brings you a blow by blow account of the talk of the town golden jubilee celebration.
WITH LOVE FROM ALATISHE FAMILY
The family of Alatishe from Ososa in Ijebu came to show love and support to Dende. They were represented by eminent personalities from the family, Otunba Gboyega Alatishe, the Otunba Badero of Ijebuland who is also the brother of the Gbegande of Ososa and his wife, Iyalodo Korede Alatishe, the Iyalaje of Ijebuland were present. Also, Princess Mrs Shade Alatishe, the Eta Iyalode of Ijebuland, Keji Odukoya and Prince Adedoyin Alatishe were also present.
OGUN GOVERNOR REPRESENTED BY COMMISSIONER FOR WOMEN AFFAIRS
The Ogun State governor, Prince Dr Dapo Abiodun was represented by the Honorable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Honourable, Funmi Efuwape and the Ogun State Special Adviser on Government House, Honorable Babatunde. The governor sent a beautiful birthday message to Dende, in his message he said “I convey most sincerely the felicitation of the government as good people of Ogun State as you attain the golden age on Sunday 8th of March 2020 congratulations IBD DENDE. Attaining a man’s age of 50 in sound health as you are is significant enough and worthy of celebration. However, it is particularly in this instance due to your commitment and dedication to the progress of Yewa south local government and Ogun State in general. On this occasion let us give gratitude to God Almighty for his benevolence so far, roll up the trumps, indulge in a few dance steps and start a new life with a new figure and hope of living a greater future. My prayer for you is that God will preserve you in sound health for many more years of achievement and fulfilment. Please accept once again our sincere felicitation, sincerely yours Prince Dr Dapo Abiodun the Executive governor of Ogun State.
FORMER DEPUTY GOVERNOR SALMOT BADRU EULOGIZES DENDE
Former Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Alhaja Salmot Badru, one of Yewa’s Prominent daughters and the first female Deputy Governor in Ogun State came to celebrate with her brother while eulogizing him, she said “I greet you and your family I want to appreciate everyone that is here present this evening. I thank you all for coming. I am pleased to be in your midst to celebrate our great brother, a great son of Yewaland, very unassuming, a man who is performing wonders. I heard of it about three days ago when the card was given to me and I said to myself though I’ve been in Lagos for a ceremony since on Thursday but I told myself that I must be part of today’s event and that is why I’m here this afternoon. For me, Egungbogun you will celebrate sixty, seventy, eighty and you will celebrate a hundred in good health. You’ve been assisting a lot of people, you are a great philanthropist and I want to say that you’ve just started. With God on your side, you are still going to go higher and higher. I want to appreciate you for today. I want to thank God for his mercies on you for us in Yewaland as we normally say we are not many though we are many in numbers but we are happy that we are seeing the younger ones coming up and we want to pray that we still want to have many more of Egungbowon’s type. We want our junior ones who can bring unity to us in Yewaland. We want our younger ones who will bring honour to us as he is doing. We want more of his type and I want to pray that God will take him to where he does not think of. I saw a lady that was singing and she said Egungbowun is her benefactor, I know that he is doing that to a lot of people., congratulations. I thank you”.
TAYO SOBOLA STEPS-IN IN DAZZLING BUBU
Popular actress, Tayo Sobola, otherwise known as Sotayo Gaga is known to always turn heads at functions with her fashion statement. She was one of the actresses who graced the event and all eyes were on her when she came into the reception in a dazzling white bubu with head accessories to match.
ACTORS AND ACTRESSES WHO CAME
Apart from veteran actor, Taiwo Hassan popularly known as Ogogo, who is a son of the soil and he is always home in Ilaro most times, other actors and actresses who came were, Murphy Afolabi, Olaniyi Afonja popularly called Sanyeri, Idowu Philips Iya Rainbow, Fatia Balogun, Femi Adebayo, Adekola Tijani, Tope Adebayo, Nkechi Blessing to mention a few, while Femi Adebayo was the official master of ceremony of the day.
HOW DIVINE EVENTS TURNED YEWA FRONTIER TO HAVEN
For those who have attended events in Yewa Frontier hotel in Ilaro and also attended Dende’s 50th, they can tell the mind-blowing transformation the event centre had during the birthday. Divine Events from Lagos was the official decorator and they are no doubt good at what they do. At the arrival was a long wide black carpet that leads through the hall. It was beautifully and professionally decorated with the celebrant pictures and balloons, which guests took turns to take pictures at every angle. It was a black and gold affair, the ceiling of the hall was covered with crystals, the flowers of the centrepieces were well arranged by florists. The tables were covered with shimmering linen while table settings were neatly placed. It was a breathtaking sight as guests kept talking about the event decoration all through.
HOW EVENT BY CHOCO GAVE DENDE A MIND-BLOWING CELEBRATION
The event was fully planned by Event By Choco and one can tell the popular outfit was no doubt good at what they do, as they stick to plans and they carried them out successfully in a professional way. They ensured security personnel sticks to a waterloo security, the venue was ready in due time, guests were served at the appropriate time and it was a smooth event.
HONOURABLE SHINA PELLER CAME WITH HIS WIFE
Lagos popular club owner and member of Federal House of Representatives, representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Iwajowa/Kajola Consistency, Oyo State honourable Chief Shina Peller was among top shots who graced the event, he came with his pretty wife, Chief Mrs Bimbo Peller.
CHIEF WALE AND TEMITOPE ADESHINA CAME
A popular and prominent businessman, Chief Wale Adeshina, otherwise known as Wale Saranda, the Babalaje of Yewaland who is also western quarry boss came with his beautiful stylish wife Cheif Mrs Temitope Ashabi Adeshina, the Yeyemesho of Yewaland were both present at the event. Trust Yeyemesho, she was looking stylish as ever.
GNI CAME
Ogun three-time governorship candidate, Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka came. The prince who is also from Yewa came with his entourage and as usual, he knows how to bond with his people as K1 sang his praises and prayed for him.
ELEGBEDE FAMILY VERY SUPPORTIVE
Elegbede family is a popular family in Ogun State with prominent sons and daughters from generations to generations. The family is very close to Dende’s family that hardly will they throw a party without them attending with huge numbers from the family. They were very supportive and was part of the planning from the beginning till the end
WITH LOVE FROM SMADE ENTERTAINMENT
Smade entertainment is an entertainment company that promotes artistes all over Africa, in London and America. The company is known to organize big shows outside the country for Alist artists. Smade boss, Adesegun Adeosun Jr is very close to Dende and his family. It was revealed that he had been around a day to the event as he attended both the early Morning Prayer and the reception. He was also part of those who said one or two things about Dende at the reception and he was very supportive too.
OTUNBA LEKAN OSIFESO CAME
Popular Lagos socialite and philanthropist, Otunba Lekan Osifeso also came to celebrate with Dende. Surprisingly he came early for the Morning Prayer at the celebrant’s home and he stayed all through. Afterwards, he attended the reception early and stayed till very late. It was obvious he was close to the celebrant as they were engaged in conversations most times at the event.
OMOLARA DENDE A SUPPORTIVE WIFE
Omolara Dende, popularly known as LRD is Dende’s wife. She is humble and down to heart, initially, she was planning a surprise birthday for her husband for which she gathered friends and family together and planning was going on before it was revealed to Dende. When he found out he decided to let them do their thing their way and Lara was up and doing. She ensured everything was in place, from engaging and partying with the community in the early hours of the day to the venue. According to her, her sleepless night about having the best for her husband paid off. When they both entered the venue with their children and close relatives, the held each other hand in hand and sighting the decor, Dende looked at his wife in a loving way, it was as if they were having their wedding all over again. Apart from the celebration, Lara has always been involved in the management of the family business especially the hotels, she does not leave things to be done by hotel support or management, this explains why k 1 took more than ten minutes to sing praise her and pray for her while they both stood on the dance floor. She looked flawless with her beautiful grey dress for the dance in and the blue native for their second entrance.
HIP HOP STARS TURN UP FOR DENDE
It was a gathering of top hip hop stars who turned up for Dende as he is very close to most of them. Those who made it were, Jaywon, QDot, CDQ, Small Doctor, Areezy, they all gave wonderful performances that kept guests on their feet.
K1 AND SAHEED OSUPA’S SHOW OF LOVE
Popular fuji star, K1 the Ultimate, who is also the Maiyegun of Yorubaland was the official band of the day. Recall that not long ago K1 and Saheed Osupa reunited and ended their long time rift, while k 1 was on stage at the event, Osupa broke from the dancing crowd and made his way to the stage with K1. The Fuji musician danced with K1 and sprayed him money. Taking to his official Facebook page the next day, the singer posted some photos and videos taken at the event with the caption, From the birthday ceremony and captioned it, “With my boss on the bandstand(K1 de ULTIMATE)”
INUMIDUN SQUAD FULLY REPRESENTED
Inumidun Squad is a popular social club in Yewa Awori with hardworking men from different walks of life as its members. Anyone who is familiar with Dende will know they are one group of people he does not joke with as he is also a member, they all came to celebrate with their friend with their wives. Another popular member of the club is Alhaji Sulaimon Omidina popularly known as Slaab who is into oil and gas and auto sales with outlets across the state.
OLU OF ILARO AS THE ROYAL FATHER OF THE DAY
The Olu of Ilaro and paramount ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle is no doubt close to the celebrant, and as he has always said, Dende is not just the son of the soil but a proud son of the soil, he has demonstrated love and support to the people of Ilaro and Yewaland as a whole, kabiyesi came with his beautiful Oloori.
SOCOPAO NOT LEFT OUT
Foremost freight forwarder and licensed customs agent, Otunba Akeem Adigun, otherwise known as Socopao, a one-time Chairman of Tincan ANLCA and the CEO of SOCOPAO Ventures Nigeria Limited who is from Agoshasha area of Yewaland was also among dignitaries who came for the grand event.
KWARA STATE APC CHAIRMAN CAME WITH WIFE
Honourable Bashir Bolarinwa, the APC Chairman of Kwara State was at the event with his pretty and stylish wife, Hajia Aisha Bolarinwa. They were both on the VVIP area and they had a swell time with Mrs Jokotade Adewusi, Mrs Iyabode Obasa and Mrs Mojisola Jaji.
SOLA ADEBAWO
Sola Adebawo, the communications manager at Chevron Nigeria came to celebrate Dende at fifty.
MADAM JUMLAR PRESENT
Mrs. Ibilola Aduke Solaja, popularly known as Madam Jumlar, is a successful Lagos businesswoman and one of the biggest Rice Merchants in Nigeria and the Iya Oloja at Dalekan Rice Market. She is known to grace events with her entourage anytime she attends functions. Same happened when she stepped inside the venue with her full entourage stylishly dressed.
ROLL CALL
Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, Hon. Funmi Efuwape, Bayo Adeyemi, Biodun Ogundipe,Alhaja Salmot Badru, Dic. Adeoye, Hon Babatunde, Chief and Chief Mrs Wale Adeshina Alhaja Atinuke Omidina, Alhaja Adewunmi Basirat, Alhaja BukkyOlainukan Kamoru, Alhaja Kafayat Owoiya , Deaconess Florence Okewusi, Alhaja Mariam Gentle, Alhaja Rabiat Imra, Mrs Joy Martins, Mrs Olaore Ajileye, Mrs FolashadeLukman, Alhaja Aboloore Murphy, Alhaja Taofeekat Fatiu, Alhaja Fausat Jooda, Iyalaja of Ijebuland Alhaja Iyalode KoredeAlatishe, Otunba Gboyega Alatish Oloori Afolasade Kasali, Princess Mrs Shade Alatishe, Eta IyalodeKeji Odukoya, Prince Adedoyin Alatishe, Erelu Dupe Utman, Hon &Hajia Bashir Bolarinwa Kwara State APC chairman, Mrs Jokotade Adeusi, Mrs Iyabode Obasa , Mrs Mojisola Jaji, Madam Jumlar, Lekan Osifeso, Tola Solomon, Lukman Fowotade, Tunde Borokini, Biodun Ejibadero, Adisa Oris, Shina Peller, Bimbo Peller, Oba Mukaila Salako, Elebute of Ebute, Osolo of Isolo, Onigan of Igankoto, Olu Owode, Mr and Mrs Oloyo, Oba Abepa Jogaland, Olu of Itori, Eselu of Iselu, Olofa of Ofa, Oloto of Oto.
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