•How The Week-Long Celebration Went
Oba Dr. Olufolarin Kayode Ogunsanwo is the 55th Alara of Ilara, Epe Division and the Vice Chairman of the Lagos State Council of Obas. At about this time last year, history was made as Oba Ogunsanwo mounted the throne of his ancestors after service in the public and private sectors. It is barely one year since this epic event took place but the level of development attained in the last 365 days has spoken volumes of the personality of His Royal Majesty, Oba Folarin Ogunsanwo.
The week-long activity to mark this successful one year started on Monday, August 16, 2021 and ended on Sunday, August 22, 2021. Activities were lined up for each day, thanks to the capable anniversary planning committee that had the like of veteran broadcaster, Mrs Funke Moore and Dr Taiwo O. Salaam and many other notable Lagosians as members.
The anniversary also birth new development in Ilara Epe. Some of them include empowerment programme for women and youths that opened event on Monday evening. By Wednesday, Ilara had gone agog with a community health walk in the morning before the foundation of a new hospital was laid close to Saint Augustine’s University, Igbonla Road, Ilara.
The Thursday event was the mother of all during the week. It was the conferment of chieftaincy titles on some well-meaning Nigerians, most especially Lagosians who have made their marks both in the public and private sectors. Friday was a day of prayer and entertainment. It started with the Isese Day at Alara’s palace before the Ilara community trooped to the Central Mosque for prayers. The day ended with maximum entertainment as different cultural troupes made their way to the Alara’s palace later in the day to felicitate with His Royal Majesty.
Oba Ogunsanwo extended his hand of fellowship to the orphanages and elderly homes on Saturday. They received much love from the kabiyesi with cash gifts food items and other needed materials.
Kabiyesi made it to church on Sunday for his thanksgiving service in the morning. The St David’s Anglican Church, Ilara was the venue. All the high and mighty made their way to the church auditorium for another round of prayer for Ilara, Lagos and Nigeria at large before the congregation and the entire guests of Oba Olufolarin Ogunsanwo made it to the palace for the grand finale. It was another moment of fun, entertainment and maximum enjoyment.
City People’s DAMILARE SALAMI 08155134152 and Photojournalist, Sunday Oyemade were at the conferment of chieftaincy titles on those that deserved it on Thursday, August 19, 2021, and in this report, you have a load down of all that transpired inside the Alara’s palace, enjoy the reading.
Alara’s Inner Chamber Hosts Coronation Rites
Eleven notable men and women from different walks of life were joined by some royal fathers and the tradtional chiefs of Ilara in the inner chambers of HRM Oba Folarin Ogunsanwo as the process of the conferment of their different chieftaincy titles commenced in essence. The process was conducted HRM Oba Asunmo Aderibigbe, the Alayanjelu of Ijelu.
Alara’s Palace Completely Transformed
The outer court of the Alara’s palace had been completely transformed. The outer court had gotten a better face lift. A marquee had been built and it was beautifully decorated to receive Alara’s guests as the anniversary commenced. This same marquee was the reception venue for the chief while an overflow was prepared for other guests.
Top Royal Fathers Felicitate With Alara of Ilara
One thing that was very obvious was the kind of love other royal fathers at the event showered on the Alara of Ilara. Even the Ooni of Ife who was unavoidably absent sent a very strong and affectionate message to Oba Ogunsanwo. Some of the royal fathers spooted at the event are the representative of the Ooni of Ife, HRM Oba Adeye Ogunwusi, the Olugbon of Orile Igbon, HRM Oba Alao Francis, HRH Oba Alaba Omotunde Adako Ebiyanmi (The Iresin II) Oliyere Of Iyere -Owo LG, Ondo State, Alaye of Odogbolu, HRM Oba Adedeji Onagoruwa, the Olowu of Owu-Ikosi, Oba Nelson Obayomi Ogunlari, Ogundalu 1, Odemo of Isara-Remo, Alaiyeluwa Oba Albert Adebose Mayungbe, and the Onipara of Ipara, Oba Taiwo Taiwo Sodara, Amororo II. These royal fathers are members of the Lagos, Ogun and Oyo States Councils of Obas.
White, Pink, Army Green and Burgundy Take Over The Venue
There were different colour and different Aso-Ebi because different people were being honoured and every chief has his/her own guests. But guess what? There was uniformity in the dressings of all the guests. The most prominent colour of the day was white. Although there were different combinations, white still took over. Some combined it with baby pink, burgundy and Army Green while some guests were well adorned in their uniform army green outfits.
Veteran Broadcasters, Lekan Ogunbanwo, Niyi Ojemakinde Anchor Event
Mr Lekan Ogunbanwo is a bradcaster of high repute. He was a regular face on LTV/LWT in the 1980s and early 1990s. He rose to the level of the Permanent Secretary in the Lagos State Government before his retirement. He has over 43 years experience in the broadcast industry. He anchored the event alongside another colleague and veteran broadcaster, Niyi Ojemakinde.
Niyi Ojemakinde is a tall, handsome and talented broadcaster and event compere who has positively influenced the career of many upcoming media professionals. He can be referred to as a voice coach per excellence. He was very popular on Radio Lagos/Eko FM.
Meet The New Chiefs of Ilara Kingdom
Those who were honoured by Oba Ogunsanwo were those who had obviously made impacts in their line of trade. Some of them are very popular and those who are not have made positive impacts in their different fields. The list has the following people on it
Rt Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, the Speaker of the federal house of representatives. He was a lawyer of high repute and politician per excellence. He was honoured with the title of the Agba Akin of Ilara Kingdom. Mrs Salamatu Gbajabiamila, wife of the speaker of the federal house of representatives; she was honoured with the title of the Yeye Agba Akin of Ilara Kingdom. Chief Mrs Folake Ijelu Oke-Owo; she is known for her success in the jewelry business. She is popularlu known as Flakky Swarovski because of her success in the trade. Everything she touches becomes gold. These and many more reasons made Oba Ogunsanwo honour her with the title of Bobaseye of Ilara Kingdom. Mr Oluwaseun Williams Afuye was named Akeweje of Ilara Kingdom. Mrs Samiat Abimbola Bada, the Chairman of Ikosi-Isheri LCDA was also honoured with the title of Yeye Sewa of Ilara Kingdom.
Others are Mrs Sadiat Olayinka Oladunjoye, the Yeye Akogun of Ilara Kingdom, Mr Folorunsho Folarin Coker, the Baba Eto of Ilara Kingdon, Dr Taiwo Olufemi Salaam, the Otunba Fiwagboye of Ilara Kingdom, Surv. Kolawole Olayemi, the Asoju Oba of Ilara Kingdom, Mr Tunde Badejo, the Otunba Gbnobaniyi of Ilara Kingdom and Mrs. Opeyemu Oluwatosin Badejo, the Yeye Gbobaniyi of Ilara Kingdom
Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila Sends Powerful Delegation
One of the big names that missed the event was the Honorable Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives and the fourth man of the federal republic of Nigeria, Rt Hon Femi Gbajabiamila. It was reported that he was out of the country on an official assignment. However, the Hon Speaker sent a powerful delegation that included Hon Bolaji Yusuf Ayinla, Hon Prince Akeem Adeyemi, Hon Wunmi Oriyomi Onanuga, Hon Wale Raji, Hon Femi Fakeye and Reps Chief of Staff, Hon Smart Olanrewaju to represent his interest.
The Faith Music Band Serenades
The Faith Music Band needs no introduction when it comes to first class owambe entertainment. This band took the guests at the event to another realm entirely with songs from legendary musicians as well as fast rising stars. They entertained and even had Oba Ogunsanwo come to the dance floor for entertainment.
Flakky Swarovski and Daughter, Bukunmi Take Over
One of the high points of the party was when Chief Mrs Folake Ijelu Oke-Owo a.k.a Flakky Swarovski and her daughter, Bukunmi popularly known as Aya Baddoo took over the dance floor. Trust Flakky Swarovski to run the show with her friends, members of her club were not left out. They sprayed their new chief and showed her supports all the way.
Oba Ogunsanwo Returns To The Dance Floor
The event didn’t come to a close until Oba Folarin Ogunsanwo returned to the dance floor. He was seeing dancing with some of his new chiefs. One of them was the Yeye Bobaseye of Ilara Kingdom, Flakky Swarovski.
DJ Josh Finally Takes Over
The show came to a close after DJ Josh had performed. Men and women were still waiting to be entertained after the Faith Music band had left but @Verified_DJJosh was there to supply music. There was never a dull moment from the beginning of the event to the end.
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