•A Blow-By-Blow Account Revealed
On Sunday 3rd, April 2022, Epe hosted very many VVIPs. It was the 90th birthday of Lady Doja Otedola, former Lagos First Lady and mother of one of Africa’s richest men, Mr Femi Otedola. All the high and mighty in Nigeria, top politicians, captains of industries, society men and women as well as entertainers came through for Mama Otedola.
The event started with the dedication of a new N2 billion auditorium, built for the St. Peter Catholic Church Odoragunshin, Epe Lagos. The list of dignitaries read like all the who-is-who in Nigeria. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, former Governors of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba and Otunba Gbenga Daniel (OGD), Africa’s Richest Man Aliko Dangote, CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele were among the top dignitaries that were spotted at the church.
Decked in beautiful lace, blue beaded jewels in her ears, around her neck and wrist, and matching shawls, the Otedola matriarch beams with fulfilment and accomplishment. Lady Doja, the latest Nonagenarian is a mother of all. A woman who takes life so simply, a giver par excellence, she is one who takes care of the community without holding back and above all a lover of God. She embodies humanity, simplicity and humility. There is more to her than meets the eye. She epitomizes the existential elements of being human, with an illustrious life of giving, sacrificing and giving more to the less privileged around her.
City People’s team of DAMILARE SALAMI (08155134153), SANNI ABDULRASHEED and SHADIAT KAZEEM was there and in this report, they bring you a full gist of all that went down from the beginning to the end. Below are excerpts, enjoy.
WATER-TIGHT SECURITY AT EPE
Let’s also quickly tell you that the security at the event was water-tight. Men of the Nigerian Army, DSS, SSS, Civil Defence, Nigerian Police and private security officers were spotted at different locations. On arrival, it was obvious that something big was happening. At every corner, security personnel were spotted. There was also an easy flow of traffic. Men of the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency, LASTMA and the Nigerian Police Force were on duty making sure that movement was easy and fast.
GOV. OBASEKI, CHIEF DELE MOMODU, SEGUN AWOLOWO OTHERS CAME EARLY
The event was scheduled to commence at 10:00 am but there was a good number of early birds. At about 9:00 am, the church compound was already hosting top dignitaries. Top on the list were Chief Dele Momodu, a PDP presidential aspirant, Mr Segun Awolowo, a popular businessman, a close pal of Femi Otedola and grandson of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Gov. Godwin Obaseki was on the list too. He came in a stunning sky blue Agbada. Just before the service started, dignitaries were spotted seating and standing in clusters, exchanging pleasantries and chit-chatting.
THE BIRTHDAY GIRL STORMED CHURCH IN STYLE
The celebrant of the day was the 19th first lady of Lagos State. She stormed the church in the company of her siblings, family members, children, grandchildren and loved ones. She was present at the opening of the house of Mother Mary within the church premises. Mama was beautifully dressed in a gold-like material. She was flanked by two of her close relatives to the left and right and also her son, Femi Otedola.
MAMA HANDS OVER KEYS AND DOCUMENTS TO CHURCH AUTHORITY
The high point of the church dedication was when Lady Doja Otedola handed over the keys and documents of the newly built two billion naira auditorium to the church authority. It was received by the Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos, His Grace, Most Rev. Dr Adewale Martins. During her speech, Lady Doja revealed that it is customary for her to do something significant for God and humanity each time she clocked a year older.
THE STORY BEHIND THE NEW AUDITORIUM
Many would have wondered why she spent such a huge amount on a mere church auditorium but for Lady Doja, it wasn’t a mere auditorium, it was the fulfilment of a vow made to God. During her speech, Lady Doja revealed that the year she clocked 80, God revealed to her that she was going to live beyond 90 years and she made a vow that if she did, she would build a new church auditorium for the worship of her God and the use of mankind. When she clocked 89, they started the new auditorium and today, it is ready for God and mankind. The former auditorium cannot be compared to this new one in any way. The former could hardly contain 200 worshippers in a single service. As a matter of fact, the parish priest, Rev. Fr. Marcus Famosaya revealed that Mama’s gesture was an answered prayer because the St. Peter Catholic Church Odoragunshin has been in a dire need of an expansion or a completely new worship auditorium.
ABOUT THE NEW BUILDING
The St. Peter Catholic Church auditorium is an ultra-modern 1000-seater capacity worship auditorium. It is beautifully decorated and painted in beige and chocolate brown. The auditorium is fully air-conditioned with ultra-modern sound gadgets to make the mass flow seamlessly. The altar is well furnished with all the required Roman Catholic gadgets too. Let’s also quickly inform you that the altar was also dedicated according to the Roman Catholic rites before the mass fully commenced.
It is a spiritual rite for the most senior spiritual leader to step into the new auditorium first. Therefore, it wasn’t a surprise that His Grace, Dr Alfred Adewale Martins was the first to step into the auditorium after the cutting of the ribbon exercise which was also performed by the man of God. City People gathered that he was there representing the interest of Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie who is the head of the Roman Catholic Church in Nigeria.
GOV SANWO-OLU, GOV. FAYEMI & OONI OF IFE IN THE SAME COMPANY
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his wife were the host but they came in the company of their Ekiti State counterpart, Mr Kayode Fayemi. Also in that company is the Ooni of Ife, HRM Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II. He also led the list of royal fathers that graced the occasion.
ALASALATU SOCIETY OF EPE ALSO CAME TO CHURCH
Something quite stunning at the event was the fact that Mama Otedola is a tolerant Christian worshipper who doesn’t segregate. While the service was on, members of the Alasalatu Association of Epe came in their numbers to the church to celebrate with the mother of all. They also took out time to sing and dance to God in the service. The Alasatu didn’t mind being Muslims, they held their own thanksgiving on behalf of Lady Doja Otedola right inside the new auditorium.
THE RECEPTION PARTY WAS UNPRECEDENTED
The reception of the party was lit. City People gathered that there were three different venues for different categories of people. There was a venue for the VVIP, another was for family, friends and associates while there was another for the community and church members.
All the venues were filled to the brim and there was maximum fun, more than enough to eat and drink and also entertainment at its best.
DAREY ART ALADE ANCHORED THE PARTY
Popular musician, Darey Art Alade was also at the event. He was there not as a singer or guest, he was the compere. This is not the first time Darey would be seen anchoring events, he is a broadcaster of high repute and he came to the party with his A-game. He was gorgeously dressed in white agbada and he entertained the guests quite well too.
Darey made the show his. He ensured that all the dignitaries were well recognized. His jokes were on point and not boring in any way. Those who hadn’t seen Darey do this before were stunned by his art and theatrics on the stage. He is an all-round entertainer who does his job with a lot of fluidity.
LADY DOJA OTEDOLA’S GLORIOUS ENTRY
Mama’s entry into the reception party is another story entirely. She came in the company of her twin daughters Mrs Tola Oye and Mrs Lola Idaho who flanked her to the right and left. She was also joined by her numerous grandchildren. Mama was dressed in very simple but beautiful royal blue lace. Her daughters and grandchildren were dressed in the same outfit too. On entering the venue, she received a standing ovation from all the guests. Mama straightaway went to the podium to dance to some cool tunes from the stable of her son, Oluwarotimi Otedola and his Afrinero who had been entertaining at intervals before the celebrant’s arrival.
THE OTEDOLAS ENTERTAINED
Not many know that the Otedolas are also playing big in the entertainment industry but this was revealed at the event. Lady Doja’s 3rd son, Rotimi Otedola is a complete definition of African entertainment. He is the founder of Afrinero Music Band. The band performed for several hours at the event and everyone was delighted to have him and his boys entertain.
DJ Cuppy was not left out of the party too. She is a well known Disk Jockey and musician. She flew in from the UK to entertain her Grandma and the entire guests. She came with her dance crew who thrilled with energetic dance steps to accompany her songs. She performed her popular hit tracks ‘Who is your daddy’ and ‘Gelato’.
What about Tolani Otedola? Her performance was out of this world. She is Mr Femi Otedola’s first daughter. She is a UK-based entertainer and singer. According to her, it was the first time her grandmother would see her perform. Her performance was simply ecstatic. She thrilled the guests who wanted more but time wouldn’t permit it.
LADY DOJA IS STILL A GREAT DANCER @ 90
One would have thought that Lady Doja Otedola’s energy would have waned having climbed the 9th floor but the strength she showed on her birthday says exactly the opposite. She launched her entry into the reception hall with her immediate family, particularly her children and grandchildren. It didn’t end there, when KSA mounted the stage, she also spent ample time dancing with the big boys; the likes of Aliko Dangote, TerryWire, Segun Awolowo and other friends of Mr Femi Otedola.
CHIEF SEGUN OSOBA CHAIRS THE EVENT
The Chairman of the party was a former Governor of Ogun State and a renowned journalist, Chief Olusegun Osoba. It was revealed that his relationship with the Otedolas has spanned over 57 years. It, therefore, wasn’t a surprise that the man who was the governor of Ogun at the same time Mama’s husband, the late Sir Michael Agbolagade Otedola was the governor of Lagos chaired the occasion. He took out time to appreciate Lady Doja Otedola and allowed his wife to pray for the celebrant on his behalf.
…AND THE CAKE LANDED FROM THE ROOF
The Otedolas wouldn’t do anything without making a statement. That was why many people didn’t know the position of the cake until it was time to cut it. The cake landed from the roof and everyone was wowed. It was simply classy and glamorous. It was a gigantic three-step cake. Everyone had a bite no matter how small. It was indeed a glorious and worthy 90th birthday celebration.
KSA THRILLED TILL MAMA CALLED
Let us also be the first to tell you that King Sunny Ade (KSA) the king of Juju music was on the bandstand. He was called up stage at about 6:00 pm and he entertained till the very end.
Everyone expected a cash rain and they were not disappointed. King Sunny Ade made sure that his pocket and account were filled up as he serenaded the top guests one after the other. The big boys made it to the dance floor to catch some fun and in return spray the cash. The celebrant wasn’t left out of the KSA show. She had a good time dancing and celebrating the faithfulness of God in her life and family.
ZAPPHIRE EVENTS, PCL WERE ON POINT
Zapphire Events deserves some accolades. The brand did a good job with the planning and coordination of the entire reception programme. Prize Communications Limited (PCL) also did a great job ensuring that the event was adequately covered by virtually all the topmost media houses in Nigeria.
DJ BOLA FRESHWAY STOLE THE AFTER-PARTY SHOW
The after-party was another big show. It was time for the trendy big boys and babes to have their fun and they did in a big way. Immediately KSA ended his performance, DJ Bola Freshway who had been on the standby took over. He then ran the show until the very end and everyone had fun.
Other top guests at the event are PDP Presidential aspirants, Peter Obi, Chief Dele Momodu, former Delta State Governor, James Ibori and his wife, former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Alhaja Sinatu Ojikutu, Mr Segun Awolowo, Chief Doyin Okupe, Billionaire Terry Wire and wife, Tee Mac, Mr Kola Abiola, Hajia Bola Shagaya, Seyi Tinubu, Prisca Ndu, Prince Segun Oniru, Tony Elumelu, Jim Ovia, and many more.
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