- How Her Husband, Otunba OLUMIDE OSUNSINA Dazzled Her
On Monday, 7th May 2018 Mrs Desiree Osunsina, the pretty wife of real estate guru, Otunba Olumide Osunsina, celebrated her 50th birthday in grand style at the Civic Centre, on Ozumba Mbadiwe Way in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Despite the fact that it was a Monday, guests left all they had to do to attend both the church thanksgiving service held at RCCG Goshen Church, Elf Bus Stop, Goshen Drive, Lekki Epe Expressway and the reception at Civic Centre. Usually the hall sits a little over 500, but over 1,000 guests thronged the party which was classy all the way. The good thing was that as guests kept trooping in to celebrate with them and they kept enjoying themselves, they were also on the move to catch up with other things they had to do that Monday. So it was a free flow of guests.
It was a congregation of the young, middle age and of course the old school. Everyone had great fun. It was a blend of captains of industry, royalty and property developers. Many of their friends who live abroad flew in that morning to give the birthday girl a big surprise. There was the case of her very good friend who called her from London to wish her happy birthday the night before and surprisingly showed up at the party the next day.
And the Osunsinas gave a good party. Their reputation also helped. All those who have come in contact with Otunba and Desiree speak well of them as a couple. They are also known to hosts great annual end of year parties for Megamund staff and real estate people. One signature trademark of their parties is good food, drinks and great guests. The 4 were in ample supply at this well arranged party put together by Otunba Osunsina himself for his wife. He went all the way.
HOW SHE PLANNED THE PARTY IN LESS THAN 90 DAYS
As at last December, the celebrator was not keen on having a party. By nature, she is easy going and not forcy about anything. Her husband had kept asking her how she wanted to celebrate her birthday and she had kept saying she was not keen on a big party. Left to her, all she wanted was an open house reception to be held at their sprawling Lekki home in Lagos. Some people close to her even suggested a destination birthday in Dubai or south of France. If she wanted it, it could have happened but she just needed time to think.
And then her kids and Otunba met severally to ask the celebrant to go for a thanksgiving and reception and she agreed. But she was still not sure there was going to be a party until Otunba told her a few weeks back to go look for a befitting venue for the birthday party. “It was the day we paid for the venue that I knew we were really going to have a party,” she told City People. Her husband didn’t like the first venue but both settled for Civic Centre.
ABOUT THE VENUE
The decor of the venue was superbly done. From the walkway into the Foyer at the ground floor, everywhere was well decorated with lovely photos of the birthday girl. Even the floor had DESIREE @ 50 stickers. Although, the party took place at the 2nd floor, which is also the last floor, of the V-shaped event centre, owned by Jim Ovia, because it was the only event that Monday, the Osunsina party took over the entire complex.
STARTING WITH GOD
The Birthday Girl and her husband are deeply religious. So, predictably the day had to start with a one and a half hour service at one of the Redeemed Parishes in Lekki. The list of officiating ministers was an impressive one as follows: Pastor Pitan Adeboye (a national elder in Redeemed), Pastor Ade Omokerede, Pastor Bayo Somagbeyi, (Zonal Pastor-in-Charge of Province 27), Pastor Kunle Sokunbi (the Pastor in charge of the Parish), Pastor Bidemi Adekoya (who ministered), Pastor Esan, Rt Rev. Nathaniel Ogundipe (the Bishop of Ifo Diocese, (Anglican Church) and the Deen of the diocese.
WHO DID WHAT
All those who took active part in the planing and execution of the party were the very best hands. Make Up was done by Banke Meshida, herself. The boss of BMPRO is a clear leader in that sector, The 3 lovely outfits she wore that day were done by Odio Mimonet and IYSHA Couture, both big fashion designers. Her very first (opening) dress was by Iyisha, whilst the last 2 were from Odio. Drinks was handled by Romeo. Food was by Hamitons & Mathers Catering from Ibadan. Special Amala was served by Amala On Point by Adebola Senami.
That was the 1st delicacy that was served. Music was by Faith Band and DJ Bola Stand Up Comedian, Woli Arole thrilled guests. Special Appearance was by Simi the singer. She thrilled the birthday girl. So also 1st Born. Guess who was the MC at the event? Tee A of course. He is good at what he does. He has mastered it like fine art. The beautiful Birthday Cake was by Lizzys Cakes & Crafts. It supplied the 2 main cakes and several butter cup cakes.
There were several other cakes sent in by friends and well wishers. You must have been wondering who the Planner of the party was? We can tell you that authoritatively. Its by FAAJI, by Bankole Faleye and celebrants good friend. Andrey Abayomi. Yemi Legend and Olanrewaju Chops also handled aspects of the party. Eleanor Goodi Photography handled celebrants photo shoot before the D-Day.
THE IMPRESSIVE
ROLL CALL
Very many dignitaries attended the reception. 2 traditional rulers attended. They are Oba Saheed Elegunshi (KUSENLA 3) who came in his imposing white rolls royce and Oba Lateef Adams, the Onikate of Ikate kingdom in Surulere. Otunba Osunsina and King Saheed Elegunshi have come a long way. Osunsina has a lot of real estate investments in the Lekki/Ajah axis.
Anti-corruption crusader Prof. Itse Sagay was there. He is celebrants mums nephew. Celebrants mum is nee Sagie. Otunba Yemi Lawal, the CEO of Seagle Properties, a successful real estate developer was also there. He was on his feet all through. He and Otunba Osunsina are close, although Otunba Osunsina (who is in his 60s) is the older of the 2. Pastor Gbalajobi came in from the US. Igbo developers in the Lekki County also came. Members of the Ikoyi Club came, especially the Golfers. Otunba Osunsina is a keen golfer. Dr. Ibekwe (their family doctor for years) came. Celebrant’s sisters rallied round her. They were all in Peach dresses. All her siblings and their spouses came.
Lagos businessman, Teddy Shine (real name Tunde Osinowo) was there. He is always in white. He sat close to King Saheed Elegunshi. Others are Mr. Gambo (SAN), Oba Agboyi, Major Gen. Ilo, former GOC of Ibadan, Alhaji Abiru (a bank MD) MD Coronation bank, Brig. Gen. Sangotade-ex-GOC ENUGU, Ogun governorship aspirant GNI, ex-Ogun Governor, Brig. Sode, Kehinde Durosinmi Etti, (former Skybank MD) Read Admiral Issac Ati John, Prof. Ben, Lagos Lawyer Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), Prof. Owoeye Lead University founder, Chief Niyi Adegbonmire (SAN). Members of the Carlton Gate Estate residents came, so also members of Goshen Church, Lekki.
BIRTHDAY GIRL SINGS FOR HUBBY
It came as a big surprise. It was the high point of the event. Otunba Olumide Osunsina was asked to sit down on stage and his wife sang a special song for him in appreciation of her love for him. It was the popular Island In The Street song by Dolly Parton. She likes the song unknown to her husband she has been rehearsing the song for weeks. She has a trainer who is also a dancer. He handled the choregraphy of her other performance when she came out the 2nd time to sing and dance with a dance group.
AND OTUNBA RETALIATED
At some point, in the course of the event, a happy Otunba Osunsina made a few remarks thanking everyone for coming and extolling his wife of 24 years. At the time he decided to speak, the hall had become very noise, what with all the champagnes and redwine that had gone down. But he managed to deliver what would have been 10 minutes in 35 minutes amidst the noise.
CELEBRANT’S PARENTS CAME
Celebrant’s Dad was there. He is 81. He was so happy that her little daughter of those days has now grown to become a big babe. Celebrants mum also came. She is 76 but looks much younger. Both were very visible at the event.
ANOTHER SURPRISE FOR OTUNBA OSUNSINA
At the party, the Birthday Girl pulled another fast one at her husband. Because her husband does not like to celebrate birthdays. So his wife turned her own birthday into a dual birthday. She told everyone she wasn’t the only one, that both of them were celebrating that day.
HER SCHOOL MATES SANG FOR HER
The Birthday girl had her school mates from Federal Government Girls College, Akure come into sing the school song for her. It is a tradition to sing the school song for any old girl celebrating. Her Primary School mates also came.
WHAT DOES
DESIREE MEAN?
Each time people hear her name DESIREE, they usually think she is not a Nigerian. What does Desiree mean? Is it a shortened form of a longer name? No! Desiree (with a punctuation mark on the 2nd E) is a french name. She has a rich and illustrious pedigree. Her family has a Togolese background, Aduaiye. So it is pronounced Desireee, not pronounced Desire.
REFLECTIONS OF THE BIRTHDAY GIRL
How did Mrs. Desiree Osunsina feel the morning she hit 50? “Excitedly. Happy. Elated. were the 3 words she chose to use. I slept well. For the 1st time in a long time, I slept so well and I woke up so happy. I purposely gave my phone to my sister to keep for me to enable me sleep well because I knew that from midnight, text messages would come in”.
“My husband was the first person to wish me Happy Birthday. It was a busy morning I had to get myself ready-do my hair, my manicure, pedicure, make up and make sure all was set for the church service. I felt happy. I felt so blessed, so grateful to God. I felt an inner peace, inner joy that at last I am 50, and that at 50, my husband and children are all hale and hearty. I’m happy that at my 50th birthday all my kids were around me. They are all grown ups now. Some have graduated.
When I was 40, my kids were in school abroad. Many couldn’t attend. Now they’ve grown up to be big boys and babes. I am grateful I had an inner joy that morning I turned 50. I am happy that my parents are also alive to see me turn 50 in good health. My 5 siblings were also around me with their spouses.”
“I never really planned to celebrate my birthday”. She explained. “As at December I had said No party, but by February, the kids and Otunba had begun planning and they told me I can’t let that day just pass like that. My husband and siblings offered several suggestions. My husband said I should celebrate it because 50 is not an ordinary age you will wave aside. I accepted. Some of my siblings even suggested destination celebration.
So, we began to plan in March. That was when I called my event planner FAAJI by Bankole Faleye and her good friend, Andrey Abayomi to start planning the party. I knew the kind of party I wanted if I must do a party. It must be well planned. I didn’t want a crowd. But I know my husband, Otunba has a lot of friends. so we must be able to accommodate his guests from the different constituencies. We kept our planning going. It was the day we paid for the hall was when I knew we were having a party,” she explained.
ABOUT THE COUPLE
Otunba Olumide Osunsina’s name is big in real estate. When you manage the kind of huge real estate portfolio he manages, then the industry must feel you. He went into real estate 18 years ago at a time many were afraid to go into Real Estate in the Lekki/Ajah corridor. Many don’t know he speaks Hausa fluently.
Born in 1963, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, he had his secondary education at the famous Barewa College, Zaria and attended Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where he studied Building Technology. He graduated with distinction in Advance Diploma in Management Studies at the University of Lagos and has a Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi. Otunba. Osunsina has wide experience in various challenging business endeavors including dredging and under water services, financial intermediation and brokerage and construction and real estate management.
Otunba of Itire Kingdom in Lagos State, Nigeria. Otunba Osunsina has steered the wheels of Megamound as its Managing Director/C.E.O. since year 2000 and nurtured it to a multi-million naira diversified institution. He holds a number of chieftaincy titles like Bobaselu of Itireland, Otun Baloro of Ajiran land, Asiwaju Oba of Ifo, Asiwaju Bobagunwa of Egbaland, AgbaAkin of Ibadanland and Otunba of Itire Kingdom.
His wife Desiree is also a Director. She was born in 1968 in Benin City, Edo State. She started her primary education at the Staff School, Obafemi Awolowo University, from where she went to Federal Government Girls college, Akure, for her secondary school education where she passed out with a brilliant result in 1983.
She then continued her education at Obafemi Awolowo University where she studied Economics and she proceeded to acquire a Masters Degree in Economics in 1989.
She commenced her work experience during the National Youth Service Corps at the Central Bank of Nigeria, after which she was employed at Lenoil Holdings where she was the Manager in charge of Moneyline Bureau de Change. She spent several years there and in year 2000, she was employed by Associated Discount House Ltd. as one of the pioneer staff during the acquisition of Gateway Bank Limited. She resigned from the bank in December 2003 after rising to the post of a Deputy Manager in the Treasury Department. Mrs. Osunsina the Yeye Asiwaju Bobagunwa of Egbaland. She is currently an Executive Director in Megamound Investment Limited, a construction and real estate firm. She is happily married to Olumide Osunsina and is blessed with four lovely children.
MANY TRIBUTES FOR THE CELEBRATOR
One of the first comments was from a couple, Mr and Mrs Olowofoyeku. According to husband, Fola, he said the celebrator and his husband first met in his house years back. He said he had to introduce them to each other but it takes a while before they could both get along. His wife Lila, also said a lot of about her.
Also spoke was celebrator sibling, Angela Amebite. She revealed how she has been contributing to the family. Some of the members of Goshen Church, (RCCG)said she’s a trustworthy and reliable woman.
THE 5 CHILDREN OF THE CELEBRATOR SPOKE.
The five children of the celebrator who were present at the 50th birthday birthday of their mum passionately spoke how their mum has influenced them morally and also in academics. One of the children, Damilola, the youngest child spoke deeply of how her mum has been a game changer in his life. And also thanked God they are blessed with a beautiful mum others were: Ademide, Olamide, Demilade, and Dolapo.
CELEBRATOR’S DAD, PROF. EMMANUEL ADUAYI SPECIAL DANCE WITH DAUGHTER
Professor Emmanuel Aduayi is the father of Mrs Desiree Osunsina. They both danced and danced before the father revealed the secret behind her (celebrator) beauty. According to him “when I was growing up in Sapele, I used to pray that God should give me a beautiful woman to marry so that I can have beautiful children and luckily I met her mother and she gave birth to Desiree who herself an epitome of beauty”
The mother, Mrs Aduayi, also danced with her daughter. Some of her siblings also joined them on the dancing floor to add more glamour.
PASTOR EMMANUEL PRAYED FOR THE CELEBRATOR
Pastor Emmanuel asked all the guests to pray for the celebrator. He asked them to be on their feet, that it’s a grace and privilege for anyone who have attained this landmark. He earnestly prayed for the celebrator and her husband.
-Seye Kehinde
& Isaac Abimbade
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