Last week Saturday, 28th August 2021, Oyo town was literally shut down. The honourable representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Iwajowa/Kajola, Federal Constituency Hon. Shina Peller and his friend, Jide Agunbiade were honoured by the Alaafin of Oyo. While Shina Peller was made the Ayedero of Yorubaland, his friend was made Atobaase of Yorubaland. Their wives were also honoured with the title of Yeye Ayedero and Yeye Atobaase of Yorubaland. The event was epochal in all ramifications. A lot was expended on the celebrity-studded party. Apart from the exclusive decorations that really transformed the gigantic marquee erected on the giju Forecourt of Alaafin’s palace into a small paradise, a live lion was brought into the venue from Sokoto. Not to talk of the live Eagle from Warri. A lot was also spent to bring KSA to Oyo, while Crystal, Moet, X.O Remy Martins, Jameson, Martini flowed like water. Over 50 Naija food vendors were engaged for the party. Of course, it is a known fact that those things don’t come cheap. Top celebrities from Ibadan, Lagos, Abuja and other parts of the southwest and beyond the shores of the country were in attendance. A powerful delegation from the House of Representatives stormed the party. City People’s team of DARE ADENIRAN, JAMIU ABUBAKAR and Photo Journalist, WALE OSANYITOLA were at the elaborate party, to serve you behind the scene gists. Below are excerpts
WHY SHINA PELLER & FRIEND HAD THEIR CHIEFTAINCY PARTY SAME DAY
Some guests couldn’t but wonder why the chieftaincy conferment of Hon. Shina Peller and Jide Agunbiade were held the same day. Reasons for this are not far-fetched. We can tell you authoritatively that both are good friends. In fact, they have been friends for over 25 years. We can also tell you for free that both grew up together and many see them as brothers.
AN ARRAY OF PARTY VENDORS
Over 50 party vendors were engaged for the party. They provided different cuisines, ranging between local and continental dishes, as well as finger foods, barbecue and all for the maximum enjoyment of the invited guests. They included Kehinde Iyinola’s Finesse Decor, Boladel by Mr Lukman, Bonix by Bola Okolie for drinks, Fruitties World, Kafilat Osobemekun, OS Celebrations and several others.
SHOCKING THINGS ABOUT THE NEW CHIEF, JIDE AGUNBIADE
Not many know much about the new Atobaase of Yorubaland, Jide Agunbiade. Let’s tell you about him. Jide Agunbiade is from Fiditi, near Oyo town. He is based abroad and yet very popular and in tune with his people in Fiditi. He is a Prince. He is a philanthropist of note. He has a foundation for the youths. All these and many other reasons were why the whole of Fiditi moved to Oyo for the chieftaincy conferment. Little wonder also that a symbol of Fiditi as the food basket of Oyo State was placed at the entrance of the hall.
ABOUT OTUNBA ALAO-AKALA’S HUMILITY
It was shocking to many to see the former governor of Oyo State, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, with his huge frame, stature, status, prostrating flat before the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi at the chieftaincy conferment ceremony. He walked into the venue majestically alongside his son, Olamiju Akala, the former Chairman, Ogbomosho North Local Government and son-in-law of Aare Rasak Akanni Okoya.
WHY EAGLE AND LION WERE BROUGHT TO THE PARTY
One of the many side attractions at the party was the sight of a live Lion and Eagle at the entrance of the venue. We can tell you authoritatively that the animals represent the symbols of the 2 new chiefs. While Shina Peller as a young vissioneer uses Eagle as his symbol, Jide Agunbiade is known to be in love with a lion as his own logo. The concept of bringing the live lion and eagle we gather was the initiative of the beautiful wife of Jide Agunbiade, Mrs Elizabeth Agunbiade.
HOW FINESSE WOWED GUESTS WITH THE SUPERLATIVE DECORATIONS
The decoration for the classic event was planned and coordinated by Finesse of Whitestone owned by the ever dynamic Kehinde Iyiola. She also owns the popular Whitestone Event centre in Lagos. Iyiola has handled top-class events for over 15 governors. She takes care of events of prominent socialites and celebrities such as that of the Okoyas, Oguntades and that of the Oyo State Government not leaving out other eminent personalities on the social scene. The hall was indeed a beauty to behold as it was garnished with white Safari chairs with golden charger plates. The floor was all well covered with a lovely rug.
OVER 10 ROYAL HORSES WERE BROUGHT FROM IJEBU & OYO
Gracing the venue of the epic event were more than 10 royal horses. Prince Alatise, son of the Iyalode Korede Alatise alone brought his 6 horses to the ceremony. His father is the younger brother of Oba Ososa. Prince Alatise is one of the youngest horse owners and riders in the entire land of Ijebu. The presence of the horses alone brought lots of glamour and prestige to the event.
MOTHERS OF THE CELEBRANTS WERE PART OF THE SHOW
The presence of Mothers of both celebrants did not go unnoticed. Alhaja Silifat Peller, wife of the legendary professor Peller was in attendance while her dear son, Shina Peller was inaugurated. The joy on the face of the 75-year-old mother knew no bounds. The excitement in Mrs Agunbiade, the mother of Babatunde Agunbiade, the new Atobaase didn’t go unnoticed. The over 70-year-old mother of the celebrant also graced the occasion.
OONI, OLUWO & NORTHERN EMIRS STORM ALAAFIN’S PALACE
The Alaafin’s palace quickly became the Mecca of Yoruba Land as a large pool of traditional rulers stormed the palace of the highly revered and celebrated king in Yoruba Land.
The glamorous entry of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi ably represented by his royal aides made a lot of difference. Also storming the event was Olú Iwo, Oba Abdul Rasheed Akanbi, Telu 1. He came into the hall a few minutes at exactly 3.20 pm.
Also at the ceremony was the large pool of Emirs from the north. Notable among them are Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero was represented by his first son; Etsu Nupe, and Emir of Bauchi.
WARRI BILLIONAIRE AYIRI EMAMI STORMS OYO FOR SHINA PELLER
Warri Billionaire, Ayiri Emami was one of the big fishes in the house. He stormed the event to celebrate with Hon. Shina PELLER over his newly conferred title.
CONSTRUCTION GIANT, OTUNBA LEKAN OSIFESO PLAYED BIG ROLE
The role played by the iconic Otunba Lekan Osifeso at the event is quite remarkable and can’t be pushed aside. He had already been around a night before the day of the coronation ceremony. He came along with his loving wife, Erelu Tola Osifeso.
Otunba Osifeso is very close to Shina Peller as Peller calls him ¸Egbon i.e Big Brother. He was around when Otunba Osifeso was installed as Odole. He actually did the compulsory royal walk at the ceremony.
BETWEEN GBENGA ADEYINKA, BIKE BIKE & AJOBIEWE
Adding spice to the already spicy occasion was how the extraordinary event compere, Gbenga Adeyinka anchored the programme. He did this seamlessly with lots of class. Ace and legendary Ewi chanter, Ajobiewe did justice to the praise of eminent personalities in the house. He started this by duly announcing the arrival of Aláàfin by chanting his praises. Afterwards, he praised the two celebrants in a way that got them elated. The Osun based Ewi chanter popularly called Bikebike did wonderfully well to complement Ajobiewe in the art.
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