•Details Of The Star-Studded Burial Reception Party In LAGOS
On Sunday, June 12th, 2022, all roads led to Harbour Point in Victoria Island, Lagos where the Asemota family hosted eminent Nigerians to a burial reception party for their late patriarch and Lagos car dealer, Chief Sunny Asemota. The party which had all the trappings of royalty was attended by close friends, business associates, and family of the deceased. City People’s Contributing Editor, IYABO OYAWALE (08033564055)was at the event and brings you gists.
THE THANKSGIVING BEFORE THE PARTY
The reception party was preceded by an outing/thanksgiving service at the All Saints’ Anglican Church, Montgomery Road, Yaba. That’s the home church of the Asemotas. The Thanksgiving which started at 10am stretched till 1pm when guests started to leave for Harbour Point in Victoria Island, Lagos. Chief (Mrs.) Asemota was dressed in a black lace ensemble with black shoes and bag to match while the children and their spouses wore a powder blue lace ensemble (the guys wore powder blue guinea brocade) while the grand children wore a lilac aso oke gele and lace ensemble. After the thanksgiving, prayer was said for the Asemota family. Before the Thanksgiving, the preacher talked about the Trinity (as the day was Trinity Sunday). Quoting from John 16 vs 7, he said the counselor comes to comfort us. And that he comes in the person of the Holy Spirit to help us cope with all life situations. In His words: “This counselor shall stay with us forever. When we talk about the Trinity, we’re not talking about three gods. We’re talking about a God who manifests in three ways.”
A CLASSY PARTY INDEED
The reception party which held in Victoria Island was the mother of all parties. The burial train had moved from Lagos to Benin and back to Lagos for a monumental soiree. For starters, the party was devoid of gatecrashers as guests were given an access card. Also, the hall was lavishly decorated with white drapes and chandeliers. Chairs were a mixture of gold and white. The hall was also decorated with the pictures and the quotes of the deceased. Security at the event was topnotch too. K Square Security was in charge of security. Funke Bucknor-Obruthe’s Zapphaire Events planned the party while Little Chef provided food. Alhaja Sekinot Aweniya’s Amala On Point 94 provided indigenous Amala while Bonix Drinks provided drinks. Veentage Band provided live music while Larry Spice provided small chops. It was a very large party setting and guests had so much to eat and drink.
A Formidable Pair
Chief and Chief (Mrs.) Ireti Asemota were quite a formidable pair. They loved each other and it was apparent in how they lived and treated one another. They met 61 years ago while working in companies that sold cars. One thing led to the other, and they got married on July 15, 1962 (which happens to be her birthday). While married, one of the children confessed that you couldn’t manipulate them. They always had each other’s back. It is no surprise that they lived together for close to 60 years and he professed his love to his wife before passing on. Chief (Mrs.) Ireti Asemota clocks 80 on July 15th, 2022.Their marriage would have been 60 years on the same day. They were sweethearts till death. Chief Asemota had been sick for a while and confined to the house but he died in the early hours of Thursday, May 19th, 2022 in the hands of his dear wife. He was buried at his Benin residence. It was apparent Chief (Mrs.) Ireti Asemota had lost a life partner when his body was lowered into the ground.
A WORTHY SON-IN-LAW
Lagos big boy, Jide Coker is a worthy son-in-law to the deceased. Married to Shola Coker, one of the daughters of Chief Asemota, Jide was up and doing at the party with his brothers-in-law, Omoregie, Osayande and Iredia. He made it early to the church and saw to it that the program went well. Even though Bisi Olatilo was the MC, he consulted with Jide Coker on how to run the program. He really stood up for his father-in-law and represented him well.
CHIEF(MRS.) AGBOTI IN QUIET RETIREMENT
For a long time, Chief (Mrs.) Cordelia Agboti avoided social functions until she was spotted at the Mrs. Dupe Gbadamosi’s 80th birthday and Late Chief Asemota’s funeral parties. Ever looking radiant and fresh, this society dame was fully dressed up and mixed freely with other dignitaries at the parties. For now, she lives in quiet retirement with her husband, Senator Emmanuel Azu Agboti (CON). An American-trained chartered Accountant, he used to be Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Down Stream) and later, Chairman Senate Services Committee. On her part, Chief (Mrs.) Agboti used to be in Sheraton before she joined Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) as a Director. In her 70s, she joined NLNG in 2005 and left in 2020 (during the COVID). Her life at the moment is a quiet one except when she has to step out for social functions.
As Fit as a Fiddle
Even though she recently clocked 80, Mrs. Modupe Gbadamosi (Mama Grandi) is as fit as a fiddle. She was seen at the party in the company of her daughter, Biodun Gbadamosi. She was so active and seen dancing to old tunes with Olori Ladun Sijuwade. She didn’t look 80, neither did she feel it.
LOOKING FORWARD TO 70
Veteran Broadcaster, Bisi Olatilo was the MC at the Lagos party. He couldn’t make the Benin event but he was present at the Lagos party. Born on December 20, 1953, Adebisi Joseph Olatilo will be 70 next year and he publicly committed to having Veentage Band play at his 70th. By the way, he was born in Kano State and speaks fluent Hausa. He left Radio Nigeria after 22 years to focus on Biscon Communications, producers of the Bisi Olatilo Show.
VEENTAGE BAND AT ITS BEST
They were versatile and carried the audience along, both young and old. They played oldies for the older generation while the grandchildren of the late Chief Asemota took to the stage to dance, Veentage Band was at its best, rolling out songs like “Buga” and others. Bisi Olatilo called the Olorogun Adepoju-led band “the end of discussion for live band entertainment.”
FRIENDS RALLY ROUND CHIEF (MRS.) IRETI ASEMOTA
There’s no doubt about the fact that Chief (Mrs.) Ireti Asemota is a matriarch of Lagos High Society. She and her late husband were close to all that mattered and were always on hand to celebrate with other members of the social establishment. It was therefore payback time for her when her husband died. All the society women and men stood up for her. They really rallied round her to make her feel less burdened. Sisi Abah Folawiyo, Princes Yewande Onileere, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, Lady Emmanuella Abiodun Aisien, Chief (Mrs.) Sade Balogun, Chief (Mrs.) Cordelia Agboti, and so many others travelled to Benin with her, despite their ages. They just had to stand by one of their own.
Here Comes the Yeye Oba of the Source
This July, the Erelu Kuti IV of Lagos, Erelu Abiola Dosunmu will be made the Yeye Oba of Ife by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Ìjájá II). The Erelu Kuti IV of Lagos takes this special title to cement her position in Yoruba land as a queen mother. Bisi Olatilo announced this while anchoring the event. Interestingly, the Erelu Kuti will clock 75 this same July (having been born on 29th July, 1947).
OLORI LADUN SIJUWADE LOOKING RADIANT
Olori Ladun (nee Harold-Sodipo), the widow of the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, turned 66 this March bit she does not look it. The highly educated Olori appeared at the party looking radiant and beautiful in an all-green lace ensemble with gele, high-heeled shoes and bags to match. She danced to old tunes with Mrs. Modupe Gbadamosi and further went dancing with the late Chief Asemota’s grandchildren when they took the stage to celebrate their grandfather.
PRINCESS TENI AOFIYEBI PREPARES FOR HER 70TH BIRTHDAY
Famous actress and businesswoman, Princess Tenidade Aofiyebi was also at the party looking young and radiant. A grandmother many times over, she’s also preparing for her 70th birthday. Details after this time out!
THE LOADED ROLL CALL The reception party was a very well attended one as everybody who was somebody in Lagos attended. It ranged from politicians to Governors to businessmen to technocrats, they were all there. The Asemotas pulled a massive crowd to the event as they also are party-goers. They are known to stand up for their friends when they’re celebrating and otherwise. This is what the guest list looked like: Chief Michael Ojo, Sir Kehinde and Lady Gbeminiyi Smith, Sherifat Balogun Aristo, Alhaji Razaq Okoya and wife, Chief (Mrs.) Sade Okoya, Senator Tokunbo Abiru (representing Lagos East Senatorial District at the Senate), Chief Olu Falomo, Chief Alex Duduyemi, Chief Odigie-Oyegun, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun (MFR), and his deputy, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, My Fair Lady, Chinyere Okwuosa, Princess Yewande Onileere, Sisi Abah Folawiyo, former Lagos Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs.) Sinatu Ojikutu, Gen. Ike Nwachukwu and wife, Gwen, Chief (Mrs.) Kuku, Chief (Mrs. ) Sola Folawiyo, Chief Kunle Ogunwande, Chief Kamoru Oshinusi (Sir K) and his wife, Duro, Chief (Mrs. ) Grace Iyabo Kuye, Chief (Mrs.) Grace Osime, Mrs. Christiana Edemoha, Mrs. Babalola, Mrs. Pierce, Mrs. Becky Edosa, Mrs. Modupe Gbadamosi (Mama Grandi), Mrs. Joko Oni of Gold Rush, Sir Olu Okeowo and Lady Adejoke Okeowo, Chief (Mrs.) Bintu Tinubu, Gbenga Obasa, former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori, Engr. Kenny Saka and wife, Lydia, Justice Adesola Oguntade, Chief Kole Otufale, Mr. Moses Akenzua, Mrs. Dupe Sagoe, Mr. Tunde Folawiyo, Laraba Ibraheem, Segun Awolowo, Nkiru Anumudu, Ruth Osime, former Head of Corporate Affairs at the Nigeria Stock Exchange, Ms. Yinka Idowu, Federal Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Senator Daisy Danjuma, Chief (Mrs.) Sade Balogun, Lady Emmanuella Abiodun Aisien, Olori Ladun Sijuwade, Yeye Oba of Warri Kingdom, Evelyn Okunbo, Prince Samuel Adedoyin, Mrs. Alaba Oniru, Chief (Mrs.) Fowora, Otunba Gbenga Odunuga, Chief Akanni Afilaka, Princess Teni Aofiyebi, Mrs. Onafowokan, brother to the deceased, Mr. Solomon Asemota (SAN), Chief (Mrs.) Akin George.
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