Several days after her 60th birthday party,Queen of Waka Music,Alhaja Salawa Abeni is still in a state of shock and surprise at how her children held a surprise 60th birthday party for her,without her knowing about it,before the date.
Her actual birthday was in May, but because it fell within the month of Ramadan she did not celebrate it until last Sunday when her children invited all her friends to come celebrate with their mum.
Until she got to the venue of the party that Sunday, she thought she was going to perfom at a party for someone else.Her kids got her to lodge at Oriental Hotel,so that it would be easy to get her to just walk into the Ballroom from her room.
All of these happened on Sunday, 24th, October 2021,as all road led to Oriental Hotel, in Lekki,Lagos to witness the surprise birthday celebration of this popular Queen of Waka music.
As it was meant to be a secret affair, Elizabeth Walker and her team beautified the hall with large pictures of the Queen as they were later covered in dark drapes.
The children of the Queen, Aminat Okikiola Aderayo, Sikirulahi Akanni Illori and Atanda Ayinla took their time in ushering guests into the well decorated hall.For over a month,they quietly planned the surprise birthday party reaching out to all her close friends and associates.
Madam Kofo and Gbenga Adeyinka the 1st took were the compere.As the event got underway,they took their time to excite the guests as the invited artists in different successions performed.Dj Jam also had some time to excite the guests after which The Salt of the Earth band took the stage.
As the waiting continued a voice sang the songs from Queen Salawa Abeni album which kept guests in wonder. In the urge to see the voice behind the stage, guests took the floor to capture the arrival of the Queen.
Some moments after, Queen Salawa Abeni walked on to the stage from behind the stage to a big shout from the guests. In shock, she had tears flowing from her eyes as people went around her to wish her Happy birthday. After the birthday song,the Queen took her time to greet guests like Sir Shina Peters, Rev. Esther Ajayi, Queen Ayo Balogun, Bashorun Dele Momodu ,Alisu Adedoyin and many other Lagos socialites. As she stood around loved ones her son, Atanda Ayinla aka BigSheff took the microphone to sing a special song to his mother as she hugged him in tears.
After this the Queen was ushered into the changing room to prepare for the party proper, as people waited.Other top personalities like Kofi the Comedian, Iyabo Ojo, Fausat Balogun, Mc Olu- Omo and his entourage walked into the hall.
As guests waited for the Queen’ s second entrance, Ajobiewe took to the stage to eulogise the Queen.
On her second entrance, she had a a shining purple dress with a well stoned turban. She also danced in with her children and grand children as she then went on stage to dance.
Afterwards, the Queen took the microphone to excite her guests. As she went on, Adeyinka the first, interrupted the session with the announcement of delivery of a 2019 Nissan Rouge salon car presented by an anonymous guest,who is believed to be MC Oluomo.
This announcement made the Queen pass out, as friends gathered around her. After this, Queen Ayo Balogun was called on stage to perfom. While on stage, she took the time to recount on how her relationship with Queen Salawa Abeni has been and how she was grateful for the life of her colleague and friend. After her, Alhaji Atawewe took to the stage as Queen Salawa stormed the dance floor, after a while the queen went on to amuse the guest.
After this, Queen Salawa Abeni was ushered towards a beautiful cake as she stood with all smiles, taking pictures and thanking those who came to celebrate her.
Send Us News, Gist, more... to citypeopleng@gmail.com | Twitter: @CitypeopleMagz
