It was a celebration galore on Saturday, January 29, 2022, as the children of the late Lady Justina Oigbokie Omorogbe shut down the entire Surulere axis of Lagos. Lady Justina, as she is fondly called was a mother and grandmother who spent her life serving God and humanity. According to those close to her, there was never a dull moment with the deceased. She was always the life of the party and wherever she was, she would lay her mind bare on any matter and would not hide the truth, no matter how hurtful it is.
Lady Justina was a God-fearing mother, a strong member of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) in Surulere, a leader of the Women Wing of Christian Association of Nigeria (WOWICAN) and also a leader of women at the Catholic Women Organisation. Her influence on all fronts brought people from different walks of life to her burial party.
City People’s Brands Editor, DAMILARE SALAMI 08155134152 and Senior Photojournalist, Abdulrasheed Sanni were at the event. In this report, they bring you a full gist of all that went down there. Enjoy.
EAGLES CLUB EVENT CENTER WAS THE VENUE
At about 12:00 noon, the popular Eagles Club event centre in Surulere had been completely transformed. It had become a haven for fun lovers. As soon as the auditorium doors were thrown open, guests started trooping-in in their numbers. Let’s also quickly inform you that the venue was the most appropriate for an event of such a class. The parking lot was filled with luxurious cars and there was enough parking space for all the guests.
THE MULTI-COLOUR ANKARA ASO-EBI
The Ankara Aso-Ebi was multicolour but with yellow more pronounced. Most of the guests stunned in the Aso-Ebi. It was indeed a fashionable event as many of the celebrity ladies added different touches to their Ankara to make it look more gorgeous.
DECEASED DAUGHTER, MRS CLAUDETTE AMIROGHO WELCOMED GUESTS
Soon had the event started, the anchor invited one of the deceased’s daughters, Mrs Claudette Amirogho to the podium for her welcome address. Without much ado, she emphasized the importance of celebrating and not mourning her late mum who changed address at age 70 because she lived a fulfilled life and helped many people reach the peak of their lives.
TRIBUTES POUR ON LADY JUSTINA OMOROGBE
At the beginning of the party, it was requested that tributes be poured on the deceased because there wasn’t enough time for that during the church service. A lot of people came out to express their personal experiences with the late Lady Justina. The tribute session revealed the kind of person the deceased was. According to the representatives of the leaders of the APC in Surulere, Lady Justina had left a vacuum that would be very difficult to be filled by another person. Members of WOWICAN and Catholic Women Organisation (CWO) also gave their bits about their departed fellow.
TRADITIONAL DISPLAY GALORE
Everyone knows Lady Justina to be a woman of tradition. She was a Benin woman to the core and she didn’t hide her identity. Just at the entrance of the auditorium, a Benin traditional troupe was positioned to welcome and entertain guests with their traditional folklore. As the event progressed, this troupe also took the stage to perform for the children of the deceased.
WHAT ABOUT THE ITSHEKIRI DANCERS?
Let’s quickly gist you about the Itshekiri Umugo traditional dancers, they wowed the audience at the event. One of the daughters of the deceased was married to an Itshekiri man, this necessitated the dancers to come and pay their last homage to their in-law as tradition would have it. It was a great performance with a high-level energetic display.
THE DECEASED CHILDREN STUN IN BEAUTIFUL HOH LACE
If anyone would miss the glimpse of the fashionistas at the event, it wouldn’t be that of the children of the deceased. Harriet James, Claudette Bemigho-Amorighoye, Sylvia Ibe, Barry Omorogbe, Gillian Innocent-Labija and Jocelyn Ademiluyi all stunned in beautiful outfits. For the women, it was a gold colour HOH lace while the only man amidst them, Barry Omorogbe stunned in a traditional black outfit.
FLEXYTONE CREW PULLED THE CROWD FROM THE BANDSTAND
Another unforgettable moment at the event was the performance of the live band. It was not only energetic but highly emotional. The Flexytone Crew knows everything about Gbedu and the most appropriate song for every moment. Headed by Oluwadamilare Flexible, the band has a good grasp of all genres of music, little wonder its name is called Flexytone. Their performances were up high and a lot of people wanted them to continue until mama called.
Bose Osinusi, Pastor Akin Fasawe Spotted On The Dance Floor
The dance floor had the high and mighty at the event proving a point and some of the biggest names that were spotted on the dance floor were Bose Osinowo, the CEO of BOS Gas and a very popular Lagos-based clergy, Pastor Akin Fasawe. They both made huge statements on the floor.
THE ODUNMBAKUS ALSO CAME THROUGH
Let’s be the first to tell you that the two wives of the popular Lagos politician and APC kingpin, Cardinal James Odunmbaku aka Baba Eto were at the event. They didn’t just come casually, they came to make huge statements too. They were the guest of Mrs Harriet James aka Harty Jay. For about 20 minutes, the two Mrs Odunmbaku were on the dance floor doing well for their host and the band. It was a memorable show for the Flexytone crew.
BISSY YOYO PLATTER PULLED STRINGS
One of the vendors that did so well at the event was Bissy Yoyo Platter. They came to serve garri Ijebu with fried seafood and ice. Their presentation, packaging and professionalism sold them out. They became the toast on the night because virtually all the guests wanted to have a bite.
WHAT ABOUT ADEMOJ CATERINGS AND GOLDIVAS KITCHEN?
Let’s tell you about the two best and biggest caterers at the event. They are Ademoj catering services managed by Mrs Moji Sanni and Mrs Oreoluwa Odunmbaku-Odedina. Both caterers did so well at the event and despite the fact that both brands are independent of each other, they both made a good account of themselves. A further finding by City People revealed that Ademoj has been in the business for more than 25 years while Goldiva’s Kitchen is barely one year.
NOLLYWOOD STAR, FUNMI BANK ANTHONY AND HUSBAND CAME THROUGH
We told you that the event had A-list celebrities in attendance. One of them was a popular screen diva and Nollywood star, Funmi Bank Anthony who came around with her husband. The star was spotted on the red carpet taking pictures as well as on the dance floor having fun with some other guests.
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