Details Of The Classy 50th Birthday
Tuesday 21st May, 2024 was a great day of note, worthy of celebration. It was a special day in the life of Deacon (Dr.) Bamidele Onalaja, the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of RevolutionPlus Property Company, as he clocked 50 years of age.
Dr. Bamidele Chris Onalaja is a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist par excellence. Aside from sitting at the helm of affairs of the wave-making RevolutionPlus Group which has birthed 10 subsidiary companies, Onalaja plays a very big role in the real estate sector. He is the immediate past chairman of Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN), Lagos Chapter. He is also a past president of Rotary Club, Maryland. Many of his philanthropic interventions are well carried out through Rotary Club and Chris Bamidele Onalaja Foundation (CBOF).
The celebration of the RevolutionPlus boss at 50 was a pleasant one as the great occasion began with a thanksgiving service held at Christ Embassy LoveWorld Arena in Lekki, Lagos State. It was a service held right in the presence of God, featuring singing of hymns, scripture readings, exhortation, testimony, prayers and blessings.
When it was time for the testimony, the celebrant who was elegantly dressed in his Aso-Oke approached the podium. He took time to give his testimony of life at 50. He started by appreciating God for the gift of life and the many wonders he has been in his life. He also extolled Reverend Pastor Christ Oyahkilome for his impactful tutelage which has helped shape his life for good. Mr. Onalaja while narrating briefly his humble beginning said he never thought he could be this successful at 50. He went further to highlight the many challenges life has thrown at him, stating that he was once told he would not live up to 50 years. He also narrated how God saved his wife from being assassinated in their home in December 2023. He therefore thanked God for seeing him through all these which has made him stronger in faith.
The birthday thanksgiving was top notch. The celebrant is a strong and influential member of the church. He is a deacon and has held a number of prominent positions of repute in the house of God. Mr. Onalaja and his darling wife, Mrs. Tolulope Onalaja were indeed grateful in the presence of God. They didn’t hide their feelings as they danced to the lord in gratitude for the gift of life.
Following the thanksgiving service, celebration galore was set in motion as the celebrant and his wife gave their guests a warm reception party to their guests made up of eminent Nigerians, captains of industries and government functionaries. Many came from far and near to grace the occasion and rejoice with the man of the moment who just climbed the 5th floor.
The reception party was held at The Monarch Event Centre located along Lekki Expressway, Lagos State. The event hall was adored with a touch of gold, a classy colour which depicts the mood of the event, the golden jubilee celebration of an icon in Mr. Bamidele Onalaja. Most of the invited guests also did well sticking to the dress code, gold on butter cream or gold on off-white. Their appearance really made the classy event very colourful.
Anchoring the reception party was top comedian and event compere, Mr. Gbenga Adeyinka. He is one of the best in town, highly sought-after across Nigeria and beyond. The guests had great fun as Mr. Adeyinka did well in entertaining them while he took them through the agenda of the party.
Also adding glamour to the occasion was the legendary musician, Yinka Ayefele and his band. They sang to entertain the celebrant and his wife as they both rocked the dance floor while many of their guests joined them to have fun and enjoy the great moment.
The party also created the avenue where a documentary which showcased the core of the celebrant’s philanthropy was done in form of a Corporate Social Responsibility through the Chris Bamidele Onalaja Foundation. The foundation’s initiative has no doubt touched many lives providing education and scholarship to indigent children, child and maternal health care, widow’s empowerment among many others.
Worthy of note is the establishment of a tuition-free school called TolDel Nursery and Primary School where the less privileged in the society can enrol their wards for quality education.
LET’S GIST MORE ABOUT HIS 50TH BIRTHDAY
One of the highlights of the birthday is the Thanksgiving at the Christ Embassy where top Pastors of the church prayed for the celebrant and his wife for almost 1 hour.
The main Pastor of the Lekki Church, Pastor Deola Philips was full of praise for the celebrant.
The celebrant also showed his gratitude as he went down and humbly prostrated for his pastor.
Among those who led in the Bible reading are: Pastor Giwa Inumidun, Pastor Success Onalaja (younger brother of the celebrant), Dr Bamidele revealed how he ended up in Christ Embassy.
The celebrant revealed he became a Christ Embassy member in 1999, when his younger brother, Mr Success, who had already changed from C&S church to Christ Embassy invited him for a programme which was held at the National Stadium, Surulere. It was there he had his first encounter with Pastor Chris and in 2021 he became stronger as a member of the church.
The celebrant also revealed it was there (Christ Embassy) that he became a devout Christian. Because they were all C&S members in the family and the father had beaten his younger brother introduced on several occasions for attending the Christ Embassy.
He revealed that what he had become today was a result of the prayers and words of God through Pastor Oyakhilome. “I never thought God could make me big like this”. “his advise and prayers changed my life and business”, says the celebrant.
Also present at the thanksgiving was a popular actor, who is also a RevolutionPlus Property ambassador, Odunlade Adekola. He was there with some of his entourage to celebrate with the celebrant and he also took some photogtaphs with the family and friends of the celebrant.
GLITZ AND GLAMOURS AT THE RECEPTION
The beautiful event centre called The Monarch which is situated in Ikate Elegushi in Lekki, Lagos was totally shut down for The Jagaban of Real Estate, Dr Bamidele Onalaja @ 50. Top real estate gurus from all walks of life were seen parking and coming out in exotic SUV cars. The parking lots would already give a hint of what to expect at the reception.
The arrival of AMAJU PINNICK, former President of the Nigeria Football Federation turned many heads. He arrived the venue in his black Rolls Royce Cullinan. This got many attention, as all eyes rolled to see who steps out of the car.
Mr Pinnick was dressed in his Itshekiri attire and he was looking dapper as the celebrant led him into the hall.
What about AYO MAKUN, popularly called AY, he also got huge attention. He arrived the venue in his latest LEXUS SUV. He also looked sharp in his gold and cream agbada/cap attire.
TESTIMONY JAGA, also came! Jesus Is Here crooner, was in his usual stone-embodied agbada and his entrance was also grand.
What about DEYEMI OKANLAWON, his arrival also got many talking and many others
WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER TOP DIGNITARIES
One of the early comers to the event is the King of Isonyin where the celebrant hails from, Oba Abdul Rasheed Omotayo Cossy Salami, Ilufemiloye1, Saderiren of Isonyin, Ijebuland, Ogun. He came with his beautiful Oloori and they all sat to witness the birthday celebration of Dr Bamidele.
Also in attendance were real estate gurus and top government agencies and officials.
One of them is TPL Kehinde Osinaike, who is the General Manager of the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority. He is a close friend of the celebrant.
Remember that the celebrant is the immediate past Chairman of the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN) and during his time, he worked with major stakeholders and government officials. He was not the only one present, there were others in the agencies who were also present.
Also present was Ehikings Real Estate Construction MD, Mr Kingsley Ehimhen. He was looking astonishing in his beautiful “agbada and sokoto” attire. The real estate man also came with his pretty wife and the two looked beautiful.
Also there was Arc View MD, Segun Oshundairo. He was one of the early comers. What about PWAN? Most of the MD’s of the company’s subsidiaries came to honor the Jagaban of real estate.
PETER RUFAI, also stormed the venue and was everywhere as guests trooped to him for photographs.
Another early comer is Dr Larry Izamoje, founder of Brila FM. He is a good friend of the celebrant. They always celebrate things together. Also came is Adefowope Kayode Adeoye, Ayilara Olawale, MD, LandWey and others.
LET’S BRIEFLY TELL YOU ABOUT THE AFTER PARTY
The after party of the 50th birthday of Dr Bamidele Onalaja was lit. Celebrities who couldn’t make it on time to the event center stormed the after party, as popular musician Yinka Ayefele dished out some of his beautiful songs. AY’s brother, Yomi Casul and some of his other friends took to the stage.
The celebrant took some of his friends in real estate, telecommunication, oil and gas sector to join him on stage to make his day worthwhile.
WHAT ABOUT THE DECOR
The monarch got a beautiful colourful decoration of black and gold in particular.
The entrance to the event was beautifully decorated with black and gold square shape. Some of these were hanged around the event centre.
–Isaac Abimbade &
Jamiu Abubakar
