•As She Turns 75 & Becomes Yeye Oodua Of The Source
On Friday, 29th, July 2022 quintessential woman of style, Erelu Abiola Dosumu, played host to top dignitaries, family members and friends, as she celebrated her 75th birthday, which also doubled as the day she celebrated the grand reception of her chieftaincy title, Yeye Oodua of the source, conferred on her by Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi. The 2 in 1 party was held at Harbour Point Event Centre, Victoria Island in Lagos. The programme started with the coronation at the Palace of Ooni of Ife last week Friday, 22nd, while Thanksgiving mass followed at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Victoria Island, and then this grand reception at the Harbour Point centre, a week after. City People Society Editor, TAYO OYEDIJI, attended.
HERE COMES THE PRETTY YEYE OODUA
That Erelu Abiola Dosumu is a beautiful princess is simply stating the obvious, she is one of the style matriarchs of our time. She has been on the social scene for over 40 years and she still has not retired. Blessed with a lovely figure, she has aged gracefully at 75 that you can even mistake her for a 60-year-old lady. Erelu Abiola Dosumu is a Lagos Princess, who had her education in Lagos. She was the first Nigerian woman to have a store on a popular luxury street in London, Newborn. She is a woman of many firsts on her home front. She has a beautiful family to show for it. she combines her white frocks, with lovely hair fascinators and lovely pearls to always stand her out at events. If she is not wearing a pearl, then you can be sure she is spotting a diamond or strictly pure fine gold. The Erelu Kuti IV of Lagos and Erelu of Egbaland, Abiola Dosumu, is the traditional noblewoman charged with the responsibility of upholding the glory of Oloye Erelu Kuti 1, an 18th-century Yoruba royal, who aided the consolidation of her homeland. Erelu Kuti is referred to as the first queen’s mother, while Erelu Dosumu is a Princess of contemporary Lagos, who is hosting the cultural flag of the nation. She serves as a ranking chieftain of the realm and a ceremonial queen’s mother. She has indeed added another feather to her crown, she is now the queen mother of Oduduwa, Yeye Oodua of the source. She elegantly turned up in a white hand-cut Cape outfit paired with precious corals.
IT WAS A 2-IN-1 PARTY
The party was classy and everyone who attended had fun. It was a 2-in-1 Party. Erelu marked her 75th birthday and also celebrated her title as the Yeye Oodua of the source. There was also a thanksgiving service in her church. For the grand reception, It was presided by former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi respectively.
THANKSGIVING AT OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP CHURCH
The thanksgiving mass for the 75th birthday was held at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Victoria Island. It had many dignitaries, family, friends and well-wishers in attendance. They included the former president, Olusegun Obasanjo and Alake of Egbaland, Adedotun Gbadebo and his wife among others. Hymns were rendered followed by opening prayers and thanksgiving.
ERELU BISI FAYEMI SUPERVISED CAKE CUTTING
The beautiful birthday cake in Ivory colour with a touch of gold was beautifully placed at the centre of the high tables where VVIP’S sat. The cutting was supervised by Ekiti First Lady, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, she called on the VVIPs to sing a happy birthday song and spelt Yeye Oodua as the celebrant cuts the cake.
KING SUNNY ADE AND HIS VIBRANT PERFORMANCE
On stage to open the dance floor with Yeye Oodua were 2 first ladies, Kwara and Ekiti, H.E Olufolake Abdulrasaq and Erelu Bisi Fayemi and who else can keep other VVIPs on the stage for many hours other than King Sunny Ade. In his usual manner, he praised them and in turn was sprayed heavily.
SENATOR REMI TINUBU SHOWED SOME LOVE
Senator Oluremi Tinubu is one woman who shares a close bond with Erelu Abiola Dosumu and hence her show of love to her. She was not at the party but sent a huge representative who presented her with a card and read out her goodwill messages.
OONI OF IFE CAME IN AT ABOUT 5.30 PM
One of the major attractions of the party was the arrival of Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi. He was the man of the moment who conferred the Yeye Oodua title(queen mother of Oduduwa) on Erelu Abiola Dosumu. He came in with a loud ovation and was seen exchanging pleasantries with other first-class Royals on seat. Ooni of Ife came in at about 5.30 pm and immediately the party started in full.
BETWEEN OONI OF IFE AND OBA SAHEED ELEGUSHI
What is this friendship between Oba Elegushi and Ooni of Ife? It is a purely brotherly friendship which has been on for over 15 years. They have both been friends before they became Obas and their friendship is still rock solid. Immediately after Oba Elegushi arrived at the venue, he went straight to greet Ooni of Ife then Alake of Egbaland and Yeye Oodua.
KWARA AND EKITI FIRST LADIES LOOKED GOOD IN ASO EBI
They are one of the first set of first ladies who graced the coronation reception. The Kwara and Ekiti first ladies, H.E Olufolake Abdulrasaq and Erelu Bisi Fayemi looked beautiful in the purple velvet Aso Ebi and white colour headgear picked for the occasion. They sat together all through the event
OBASANJO BECOMES TOAST OF A-CLASS PARTIES
You must have noticed that at the A.list parties that have taken place in Lagos recently, Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo has been a recurring decimal at those parties. To say the Ex-President is now the toast of Owambe parties will be very correct because every top celebrity now wants Baba OBJ to come and add the presidential guest touch to their events. Asides, he shares a close bond with Erelu Dosumu hence his presence at her party.
He surely played a fatherly role. Erelu Dosumu has a special place for Obasanjo and it was evident at the party. Immediately Obasanjo stepped into the venue, Erelu found her way to the entrance to usher him in. He spoke glowingly about her and honoured her.
THE BOND BETWEEN OBA OGUNSANWO AND HIS OLORI, BOLANLE
One of the first-class monarchs who attends parties with his wife is Oba Folarin Ogunsanwo, the Paramount ruler of Ilara Epe, Lagos. Hardly will you see him attend events without his pretty Olori, HRH Bolanle Ogunsanwo. The duo surely fits each other and always the cynosure of all eyes at parties. They looked good together at Erelu Dosumu’s party and sat where Ooni of Ife, his very good ally was sitting. Oba Ogunsanwo was the former tax boss in Lagos while his wife Olori Ogunsanwo is the CEO of Lagos Fabric Store, Fabrique plus. She looked dainty as she rocked the beautiful Purple Aso Ebi lace with the white headgear and paired it with exquisite coral jewellery.
OVER 30 ROYAL FATHERS, REGENTS AND QUEEN MOTHERS PRESENT
It is only important and expected that at a Princess’ party, royal fathers, Queen mothers, and regents would attend in numbers. The party had more than 39 royal fathers. The royal fathers are: HRH Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife, Alake Of Egbaland, Oba Adedokun Aremu Gbadebo 111, Dein of Agbor, HRM Benjamin Ikechukwu Keagborekuzi, Timi of Ede, Oba Oloworo of Oworo, Oba Saheed Elegushi, Oba Ilara of Ilara Epe Lagos, Oba Folarin Ogunwusi, Oba Akiolu white cap Chiefs, Erelu Funmi Rotiba and many others
ABOUT ERELU’S SONS AND DAUGHTER
Every child is their mum’s joy, the reason Erelu Abiola Dosumu was joyful as she celebrated 75 in style with her children alive. Erelu has 2 sons and a beautiful daughter. The 2 sons, Kunle and Adewunmi Elegbede are from her first marriage to Major Gen. Tunde Elegbede and Antonniette Oyinkansola who she had for Late billionaire, Deinde Fernandez.
SOCIETY WOMEN CAME IN LARGE NUMBERS
Many society women turned out in large numbers to honour Yeye Oodua of the source. Amongst them were Ekiti First Lady, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, Kwara First Lady, Olufolake Abdulrasaq, Olori Bolanle Ogunsanwo, Chief Mrs Shobajo, Chief Mrs Nike Akande, Chief Mrs Enitan Akerele, Chief Mrs Sena Anthony, Hilda Dokubo, Olori Hadiza Elegushi, and many others.
WHATS UP BETWEEN YEYE ATINUKE ABIORO, SHADE BALOGUN AND BEERE ADEFUYE?
If you are a regular Owanbe person, you must have noticed this trio at parties, they now attend parties together. They are 3 beautiful women with style chieftaincy titles. They are very stylish and turn up in lovely jewellery. They also sit together at parties. They have been partying back to back in recent times. They looked gorgeous in their purple outfit with their neck decked with dainty expensive gold jewellery.
NWANDO SIGNATURE TRANSFORMED HARBOUR POINT
The lovely décor of the venue was done by award-winning decorator Nwando of Nwando Signature. The beautiful woman, who is a core professional, did wonders with the stage and made guests to marvel at her decoration. From the entrance to the stage to all areas in the hall, it was a beautiful touch of elegance.
HARBOUR POINT HALL FILLED TO THE BRIM
Important celebrities stormed the venue, Harbour Point Event Centre, and filled the hall to the brim as all the seats were occupied. Important VIPs’ who also came with entourage and various brands of the automobile were a feast for the eyes at the car parks.
-TAYO OYEDIJI
READ ALSO: WHY I HAVE NOT SLOWED DOWN AT 77 – LAGOS SOCIETY MATRIARCH, CHIEF (MRS) NIKE AKANDE
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