Wednesday, May 25th, 2022 was a day of celebration and thanksgiving to God Almighty as members of the Badejo family gathered in Lagos to celebrate their Matriarch, Olori Margaret Mary Ayoola Badejo (JP).
The ceremony was highly glamorous. It was held within the premises of St. Agnes Catholic Church in Maryland, Lagos. Family members and guests travelled from far and near to celebrate Olori Badejo as she marked her 90th birthday.
The occasion was preceded by a thanksgiving service held at the church auditorium where family, friends and associates trooped in to join the celebrant in thanking God for His faithfulness in her life. It was a service thoroughly and wholeheartedly done in honour of the celebrant. She is so much loved in the house of God. They don’t joke with her at all. This is evident as members of the Catholic Church were very much in attendance to witness the ceremony.
The service was held under the supervision of top echelons of the Catholic Church, the likes of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Lagos Diocese, Most (Rev.) Alfred Adewale Martins; Archbishop of Ibadan Diocese, Most (Rev.) Gabriel Abegunrin; Bishop of Ijebu-Ode Diocese, Most (Rev.) Francis Obafemi Adesina; the St. Agnes Parish Priest, Rev. Father Anthony Taiye Fadairo; Rev. Father Dipo Badejo ably represented; and many others. Notable among eminent personalities that attended the church service is the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Henry Odein Ajumogobia with his delectable wife, Awuneba Ajumogobia; and Erelu of Lagos, Abiola Dosunmu.
Towards the end of the service, the Catholic Women Organisation (CWO) had a scintillating performance before the celebrant and guests. All dressed in the native Benin custom, they sang and danced to rejoice with Olori Badejo. Meanwhile, Holy Communion was administered to the celebrant and those that were deemed fit to receive it. Prayer sessions were also held for the celebrant and her guests before the conclusion of the service.
The reception party started immediately after the thanksgiving service was concluded. It was held at the Mc Govern Hall located within the premises of the church. Guests were given a delicious treat at the birthday reception party. They had lots of fun with the celebrant. The party was glamorous and highly colourful as most guests wore the purple Aso-Ebi fabric meant for the occasion.
The party was anchored by the duo of veteran broadcaster, Obafemi Craig and the eloquent Jadesola Durotoye. The combination of both personalities was great as they made the event exciting. The reception party featured quite a number of activities. Among these was the arrival of the celebrant into the hall in company of her children and children.
The cutting of the birthday cake was also massive as the celebrant danced joyously after cutting her 90th birthday cake. The audience was amazed to see the celebrant digging it out on the dance floor. Still looking active, strong and agile, Olori Badejo is truly privileged, enjoying God’s grace massively in her life. She is a good dancer and loves good music. She rose at intervals to show how much she enjoyed the music played at the party. It’s like this resonates in the family as her children, grandchildren and relatives rocked the dance floor with their matriarch. Members of the CWO came around to entertain and celebrate with the Olori. Pastor Taye Falade was on point when he did an interesting Ewi recitation in honour of the celebrant. He praised her to the Fidipote dynasty in Ijebu-Ode, her ancestral home.
The official music band at the ceremony was the Queen Madiva Band. She rocked the stage with classic music which was so enjoyed by Olori Badejo, her lovely children and grandchildren not leaving out their respective guests. It was fun galore all through.
In the course of the party, a documentary was played. The documentary revealed a lot about Olori Badejo’s beginning and how she rose above all odds to become an accomplished mother and professional Nurse and above all role model to many people around her and beyond. She is also a devoted Christian who serves God with all her heart. Her children are truly blessed to have Olori Margaret Mary Badejo as their mother while the grandchildren and great-grandchildren must be lucky for having her around till date. It is indeed a rare privilege.
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