•Details Of Her Star-Studded Party In LAGOS
Saturday, May 21st, 2022, Mama Grandi, Mrs. Modupe Gbadamosi celebrated her 80th birthday amidst pomp and pageantry. Many VIPs turned up for her. In spite of the rain. She was celebrated to high heavens. By her children and grandchildren. City People’s Contributing Editor, IYABO OYAWALE and photographer, FEMI ADELEKE was at the event and presents the details.
ABOUT THE CELEBRANT
She’s the undisputable pioneer of the bead business in Nigeria. She started beading at a time many people didn’t see the business as lucrative. Interestingly, she never trained as a beader. It’s a gift she developed by watching Italian beaders do their thing when she travelled abroad. Little by little, the business grew into a giant but she has retired partially to allow Biodun, one of her daughters, to take charge. Dressed in a Dubai-made Khaki-coloured gown with brown aso oke head gear and ipele to match, Mama Grandi had a nice piece of sea pearl bead on with shoes and bag to match. She didn’t look nor feel 80. She was all over at the party. Seeing to it that things were done as expected; seeing to it that her guests were well-taken care of. Yes, she didn’t leave anything to chance. When it was time to dance, the octogenarian danced heartily.
A CLASSY PARTY INDEED
The party was classy in all respects. For starters, the invitation card was a video (less than a minute) but it spoke volumes. It was strictly sent to invitees to avoid gatecrashers. Also, the vendors were carefully selected and they lived up to expectations. Mrs. Mopelola Alli’s Treasure Party Affairs coordinated the event while Little Chef provided food. Drinks World provided drinks while Fruity Dove provided fruits. Princess Folake and her African Rhythm Band was on the bandstand to provide music while Tuwo Pama International provided Amala. In short, there was more than enough to eat and drink. The service boys wore black and white while the ushers wore gold dresses. They really tended to the needs of guests. The venue was also transformed with gold and white balloons as well as photographs of the celebrant. Even though there was no aso ebi, guests turned out well-dressed.
MEET THE GBADAMOSI SISTERS
Most of Mama Grandi’s children are abroad but 2 of them were present. They’re Biodun Gbadamosi and Adenike Folarin-Coker. Biodun lives in Lagos but Adenike lives in the UK. She surprised Mama by showing up a few days to her birthday. She didn’t tell Mama about coming. The 2 sisters were both dressed in a purple lace gown with purple headgear to match. They were on their feet throughout. Dancing and making sure guests were well taken care of. Also, Adenike gave the vote of thanks.
WITH LOVE FROM CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN
All the children and grandchildren of Mama Grandi stood by her during the celebration. Aside from the two sisters who were physically present, the others sent in videos, wishing the matriarch a happy celebration. The videos were played for guests to watch.
OBA ALAKE’S GRAND ENTRY
Midway into the event, The Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo and wife, Olori Tokunbo breezed in with a retinue of chiefs. For starters, a trumpeter signalled the entrance of the Alake while the band, led by Princess Folake, started singing the Oba’s praises. The Oba came in after the rain and sat for a while before departing for Abeokuta. Before they left, Olori Tokunbo went into memory lane to commend the celebrant for her large-heartedness and help when she lost her elder sister, Jumoke (who was the best friend to the celebrant) about 40 years ago. She also talked about how her parents were buried the same day because they couldn’t stomach the death of her sister. She said the celebrant stood by the children of the deceased and helped them through the challenges of life. The Olori wore a white lace ensemble.
WHY CHIEF (MRS.) IRETI ASEMOTA WAS ABSENT
A close friend of the celebrant, Chief (Mrs.) Ireti Asemota had planned to be at the party but couldn’t make it. She lost her equally famous husband and founder of Sunny Motors, Chief Sunny Omoregie Asemota on Thursday, May 19th, 2022. The deceased is survived by Sola, Kemi, Oghogho, Osa and Iredia.
PRINCESS DURO OSINUSI’S DANCE STEPS
Princess Duro, Sir Kay’s wife (from Ijebu-Ode) really danced her heart out at the party. She was the toast of the live band and Princess Folake, the leader of the band, sang her praise to high heavens.
WHEN CHIEF (MRS.) SHADE BALOGUN AND LADY ABIODUN AISIEN CAME TO PARTY
It’s no news that these 2 women are bossom friends. They came to the party well-dressed. Mrs. Shade Balogun had on tinted hair with a black and gold outfit while Mrs. Aisien wore a gold top with a kente ensemble. This really stood her out at the party. They both showed they operate in the fashion industry.
MADAM DIASPORA BREEZED IN QUIETLY
Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the head of the Diaspora Commission, breezed in quietly to the party. She’d known the celebrant since her days at the NTA and she thought it wise to come and celebrate her.
TRIBUTES GALORE FOR MAMA GRANDI
Friends and family came out to celebrate the octogenarian. Most of them spoke glowingly about her. These are some adjectives used to describe her: “extremely generous, lovely person, cares about her friends, very disciplined, if you quarrel with her, she’ll call you again, workaholic, etc.”
ROLL CALL OF GUESTS
The Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo and Olori Tokunbo, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chief (Mrs.) Shade Balogun, Lady Abiodun Aisien, Chief (Mrs.) Cordelia Agboti, Engineer Adeyoye Aramide, Alhaja Mosun Masha, Hon. Billi Balogun, Mrs. Yemisi Shyllon, Mrs. Titi Johnson, Princess Duro Osinusi, Mrs. Sheri Balogun, Mrs. Jaiye Egal, Tisbee Aso Oke, Dr. and Dr (Mrs.) Modile, Mrs. Toyin Ehindero-Benson, representatives from Revd. Tunde Joda’s Christ Chapel, etc.
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