- How TOYIN KOLADE, MC OLUOMO, SHASHA KING & Co. Dazzled @ The Party
Many did not know that City People magazine is not just Nigeria’s number one soft sell magazine but also the oldest. There have been 1144 editions of the magazine since the maiden edition was first published in 1996, and City People Magazine has established its presence not just in the 36 states in Nigeria but also in seven other countries of the world. These and several other fantastic information about it was revealed on Sunday, 7th October 2018, as she marked her twenty-second anniversary in grand style. The event which was held at the Balmoral Event centre in Oregun Lagos, hosted many socialites, celebrities, musicians, friends, family and lovers of City People Magazine, including media gurus and a host of others. Damilare Salami was present and he brings you a blow by blow reportage of the fun-filled celebration. Below are gists from the Sunday evening show.
ABOUT THE VENUE
The Balmoral event centre has no doubt hosted many events organised by City People Group in the past, however, the class, pomp and pageantry it added to the magazine’s 22nd-anniversary celebration was out of this world. Starting from the red carpet that was positioned at the main entrance of the venue to the well-arranged tables of honour and beautiful touch of black and gold backdrop decorations, the event centre was physically transformed into a mini paradise.
At about 3:00 pm, the red carpet had come alive with different guests registering their presence as various poses and camera flashes kept attracting others who were watching proceedings from afar, while guests were trooping in one after the other but in their numbers.
DJ TEXY THRILLS WAITING AUDIENCE
One of Nigeria’s finest Lagos based disc jockey, Taiwo Azeez was popularly known as DJ Texy is a well vast and experienced DJ who has handled many high profile events in Lagos and its environs. His high profile on the job qualified him to handle the event and he didn’t disappoint as the blasts of danceable tunes and mixes from his turntable welcomed guests into the well-arranged auditorium even before the show officially kick-started.
TV HOST DAMILOLA BANIRE ANCHORS PROCEEDINGS
Smart looking and dressed in a beautifully designed sky blue Buba and Sokoto was Damilola Banire who was saddled with the responsibility of anchoring the event. She opened the show with a brief introduction of herself. Captivating Damilola is a broadcaster and her oratory skills on the podium attracted everyone in the auditorium. She immediately recognised the presence of the royal fathers of the day who had sat majestically even before the commencement of the event. They include HRM, Oba Babatunde Lawal Ogunronbi Akinlowo II, the Onishasha of Shasha Kingdom, HRM Oba Hakeem Agbaosi Shaibu, the Alaguda of Aguda and HRM Oba Dr Samuel Awoyemi Adisa, the Onimeiran of Meiran kingdom. She afterwards invited one of the royal fathers of the day to say the opening prayer.
THREE ROYAL FATHERS PRAY FOR CITY PEOPLE
Customarily, City People Magazine is known for beginning all her events with reverencing God and the anniversary was not an exception. HRM, Oba Babatunde Lawal Ogunronbi Akinlowo II, the Onishasha of Shasha Kingdom was invited to take the opening prayer but he didn’t do it alone. He came forward in the company of two other royal fathers, HRM Oba Hakeem Agbaosi Shaibu, the Alaguda of Aguda and HRM Oba Dr Samuel Awoyemi Adisa, the Onimeiran of Meiran kingdom. They all joined their hands as a symbol of unity while Oba Babatunde Lawal Ogunronbi Akinlowo II led the prayer session in the Yoruba language.
SK WELCOMES GUESTS
City People Publisher, Dr Seye Kehinde mounted the stage immediately after the opening prayer for his welcome address. The joy on his face as he walked smartly upstage was like that of a father giving out a 22-year-old bride in marriage. No doubt he was excited to have seen his media outfit swim through different storms of life and yet waxing stronger by the day. He first acknowledged the presence of all the royal fathers in the house and then explained briefly how city people started as a black and white soft sell magazine in 1996 which was set out to mirror the lifestyle of celebrities in the society. He further added that City People has grown from just being a tabloid to a 21st-century media outfit and has added the online version of the magazine, digital version, social media handles, City People TV and also you tube channel amongst several other accomplishments.
He further appreciated Fuji Icon, Alhaji Wasiu Alabi Pasuma who decided out of his own free will to throw a dance party to celebrate City People at 22. He equally acknowledged the support received from other individuals towards the success of the anniversary celebration.
ALAAFIN OF OYO DELIVERS ROYAL MESSAGE
The paramount ruler of the Oyo Empire and one of the largest Yoruba states, the Alaafin of Oyo though was not physically present, sent his royal ambassador and three other princesses to grace the occasion. Ambassador Ayanlakin, the Royal Ambassador to the Alaafin of Oyo brought the goodwill message of His Royal Majesty, Oba Adeyemi Lamidi to the City People family and everyone present. Princess Arewa Folashade Adeyemi, Yeye Doyin Ayanlakin and Princess Adedoja Adeyemi also registered their presence.
HIP HOP ACT EFFIZY SERENADES AUDIENCE
The event anchor, Damilola Banire after throwing a few jokes to make the audience feel comfortable and at home invited upstage, a fast-rising hip-hop act, Effizy. His music took everyone to another realm as he thrilled endlessly. His fusion of hip-hop and Fuji was a perfect blend for the kind of audience. He was well appreciated with a resounding applause after his performance as a show of acceptance.
PASUMA FANS CLUB MEMBERS FULLY REPRESENT
Members of the Pasuma fans club fully showed their love for their number star Fuji star, Alhaji Alabi Pasuma. Though the event was strictly by invitation and party Ankara also known as Aso Ebi, many Pasuma fans ensured that they purchased the material for the event and got their invites which made them eligible to attend. Most of the guests seated on the night identified themselves as registered members of his fan club and openly declared that they came to show love for their Fuji icon.
WONDER-KID DANCER ONIJO WOWS EVERYONE
City People Magazine has been for the past 22 years for discovering raw talents and bringing them into the limelight and this was proven to be very correct as a 5-year-old kid Gabriel aka Omogidi, whose stage name is Onijo wowed everyone with different dance skills. Omogidi started dancing at age four and his shakushaku skills are out of this world. If not for his height and body frame, you would have thought that he was a Nigerian Michael Jackson. The five minutes he spent on stage was super awesome and he got cash rewards for his display of raw talent from the royal fathers in the house.
HIP HOP ACT DE-SHE THRILLS
WITH PASUMA BILLed to take over the stage later, it was just brilliant for the hip-hop stars present to display their talents and make the hip-hop lovers among the guests enjoy their moments. Another fast-rising hip-hop act, De-She mounted the stage with great energy. His performance was far from being boring. His new hip-hop tunes moved the audience and he gained some more fans amongst members of the audience who were meeting him for the first time.
HIP HOP ACT KIDDO PERFORMS
His name didn’t look like what his performance. Kiddo hit the stage like a well-established hip-hop star and he got everyone sweating in the well air-conditioned auditorium. He definitely was one of the hip-hop revelations of the night as his performance caused the audience to request for more but time would not permit him to come back.
DANCER EL- FLEX EXCITES GUESTS
Fast-rising dancer El-Flex’s performance was not only out of this world, but it was also simply unexplainable. The way he twisted his body and joint were as if he was boneless. It was not only indescribable but also jaw breaking. Usher Raymond will definitely learn skills and movement from this dancer. His nickname living skeleton completely explains his movements and displays on stage.
PRINCESS TOYIN KOLADE DAZZLES IN ALL WHITE ATTIRE
The name Princess Toyin Kolade is not new in the Nigerian social scene. She is a business mogul of great repute and her support for City People Magazine has been unwavering over the years. Her entry into the Balmoral event attracted many as she appeared in an all-white gown with golden designs. She undoubtedly has many fans already seated in the auditorium as many people went to greet her even before she took her sat down.
ACE BROADCASTER YEMI SONDE HAILS CITY PEOPLE
One of Nigeria’s finest broadcasters, Yemi Sonde was among the dignitaries that graced the anniversary. He had the opportunity of speaking on the podium and he appreciated City People magazine for standing the test of time and redefining journalism in Nigeria. He further appreciated his brother and friend, Alhaji Pasuma for deeming it right to celebrate with City People magazine that has always stood to support talents either known or unknown.
DANCEHALL STAR OGANGUN SK HITS STAGE WITH SWAG
Fast-rising dancehall star Ogagun SK took the audience down the memory lane as he brought back the forgotten galala dance steps while he performed his new hit single. He came upstage in the company of three other back up dancers who combined shakushaku, alanta, galala, azonti and shoki dance steps to the watching pleasure of the audience. Ogagun SK’s swagger showed that he truly has a deep understanding of audience control as he not only sang well but gave the audience something to treasure with his overall team performance.
WALE MIGHTY WRAPS UP HIP HOP SESSION
Another fast-rising hip-hop star, Wale Mighty wrapped up the hip-hop session with his Fuji branded hip-hop tune. He took his time to reflect on how Fuji music shaped his brand of hip-hop and didn’t let the audience down with his performance. By the time he was rounding off Wasiu Pasuma’s band members were already mounting the stage and ready for the deal of the day.
FAST-RISING FUJI SHARAFA OPENS FLOOR
Sharafa is a stunning fuji star who opened the floor for Pasuma’s show on the night. He made use of Pasuma’s backup team but made a very good use of them as he serenaded the ever hungry Fuji fans.
JUJU SINGER DUGBE JOINS SHARAFA UPSTAGE
Ibadan based juju singer, Dugbe joined Sharafa upstage and entertained the audience maximally. He acknowledged the presence of some of his biggest fans as he sang the praises of Princess Toyin Kolade and a host of several others. Dugbe indeed has had a good grip of his audience before now, this was proven by the huge applause he received as he mounted the stage.
ALHAJI PASUMA FINALLY MOUNTS STAGE
The highly expected Alhaji Wasiu Alabi Pasuma, the Oganla of Fuji also known as Ijoba Fuji finally mounted the stage after several performances. His brief speech before launching into the business of the day revealed that he has had a long-standing relationship with the management of City People Magazine and has benefited from the publicity the magazine has endowed on him. Pasuma obviously had the chunk of the audience as his fans judging from the way he was being continuously cheered as he blew the minds of the audience with different tunes and slangs oozing out of the Fuji icon.
MC OLUOMO’S GRAND ENTRY CAUGHT ATTENTION
Popular Lagos big boy, Alhaji Ayinde Akinsanya aka MC Oluomo who is known to be one of Pasuma’s biggest fans in Nigeria entered the auditorium in the company of a large entourage just like a serving state governor. His security aides formed a long chain around him in other to prevent any unwarranted access from the public. Mc Oluomo who was dressed in the selected anniversary Ankara material, later displayed his love for Pasuma as he sprayed continuously while the Fuji star sang his praises. Many had thought that Oluomo would not make the event considering the fact that it was already running late into the night and Pasuma himself had mounted the stage before he arrived. His presence surely made a lot of difference as it completely changed the tone of the event to the pleasure of other members of the Pasuma fans club.
KOKO ZARIA DANCES SHAKUSHAKU
Famous Lagos socialite, Alhaji Rasak Femi Oladeji popularly known as Koko Zaria was another noticeable celebrity that displayed affluence and splendour at the City People 22nd Anniversary. Dressed in a simple black round neck on black pants, anyone who didn’t know him would not have known that such a highly celebrated individual was the one spraying Pasuma endlessly on stage. He further displayed his dance skills as he threw a few shakushaku steps to Pasuma’s fuji tunes. Koko Zaria became the toast of many at the event because of his very simple outfit and the cash he sprayed would be talked about for a very long time to come.
SK JOINS THE PARTY UPSTAGE
City People publisher, Dr Seye Kehinde was not left out of the party as he joined the big celebrities upstage to appreciate beautiful Fuji tunes coming from the stable of the grandmaster himself, Pasuma wonder. Something very rare but worthy of note was the fact that SK joined the spraying team as he displayed some love for Pasuma with the spray of cash and the audience loudly applauded his gestures.
SERVICE PROVIDERS
No African owambe can be fully talked about if there’s no mention of Nigerian jollof rice. The fun at the event was fully complemented by the varieties of dishes served by different service providers. Emohjay Cuisines, Shelet Caterings and Dynamix Cooling Services adequately supplied more than enough food and drinks for the guests.
FOOD VENDORS
Emohjay Cuisines was on ground to serve jollof rice, fried rice and chicken coupled with moi-moi to make a well-balanced diet. Shelet catering, on the other hand, became the toast of many as guests kept ordering for Amala Gbegiri and Ewedu served by the outfit. Others decided to make do with finger licking Ofada equally served by the same catering service provider.
COOLING SERVICES
The party cannot be completely talked about without making mention of the effective service rendered by Dynamix Cooling Services who provided chilled drinks on every table. Guests didn’t have to bother themselves as waiters were at their beck and call to bring drinks for them.
ROLL CALL
Notable guests present at the event includes; HRM, Oba Babatunde Lawal Ogunronbi Akinlowo II, the Onishasha of Shasha Kingdom, HRM Oba Hakeem Agbaosi Shaibu, the Alaguda of Aguda and HRM Oba Dr Samuel Awoyemi Adisa, the Onimeiran of Meiran kingdom, Ambassador Ayanlakin, the Royal Ambassador to the Alaafin of Oyo, Princess Arewa Folashade Adeyemi, Yeye Doyin Ayanlakin and Princess Adedoja Adeyemi.
Others are Princess Toyin Kolade, Alhaji Rasak Femi Oladeji aka Koko Zaria, Alhaji Ayinde Akinsanya aka MC Oluomo, star actress Ijeoma Igbo, ace broadcaster Yemi Sonde, etc.
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