•Details Of Their LAGOS Remembrance Service/Party
Beautiful and unfading memories of late Chief S.T. Falana and late Chief Mrs Janet Falana were shared and celebrated on Sunday, May 29, 2022, at the Jehovah Shalom Cathedral of the First African Church, Lagos Island.
Activities had started on Wednesday as the children of the late Falana couple flew in from the USA and UK to celebrate the life and times of their wonderful parents. The grand finale held on Sunday with a thanksgiving service as well as a reception party at the Peacock Hall of the popular Island Club, Lagos.
Men of timber and calibre as well as women of style and business came in their numbers to felicitate with the Falanas. It was a party that many top celebrities rocked. It lacked nothing as an ideal Sunday owambe, there was more than enough to eat, drink and share.
Chief Solomon Talabi Falana worked at Royal Exchange Assurance before he retired. He was a staunch member of UNA church along Phoenix Lane, in Tinubu. He was a strict disciplinarian. He had 11 children and trained all of them in the ways of the Lord. He also gave all his children a sound education. He died on the 29th of December 1984.
His late wife, Chief Mrs Janet Falana carried on with the responsibility of catering to the needs of her children from where her husband stopped. She was a hard worker who trained her daughters to be financially stable and supportive in their marriages. She laid down the sword at the feet of Christ in 2005. Many people attested to the fact that the late Falana parents gave a good legacy to their children who are all doing so well in their respective careers right now.
Although only 4 out of the 11 children Chief and Chief Mrs Falana had are surviving right now, they all gave a good account of themselves, the departed lived lives of impact with children and grandchildren scattered in different countries abroad. Some of the departed Falana children are Olori Iyabode Fatona nee Falana, late Subuola Falana, late Chief Dapo Falana, late Captain Lekan Falana (RTD), late O.O. Falana and late Capt. Omitola K. Falana.
The 4 surviving children are Mrs Bolajoko Adeshina who was the 8th child but has now become the eldest, Mrs Toyin Ajala, a UK based business merchant, she owns one of the biggest shoe shops in Lagos Island where she sells all kinds of foreign women shoes. Mrs Gbemi Ajiboye is also one of the surviving and successful children of the Falana dynasty; she is based in the UK as well and runs her business in Nigeria from there. Mr Olufemi Falana, the last born of the family is a UK based doctor who is doing so well for himself and his nuclear and extended families.
City People’s Brands Editor, DAMILARE SALAMI 08155134152 was there alongside photojournalist, Sunday Oyemade and in this report, he brings you some of the interesting moments, read on.
DECEASED CHILDREN STUN IN TURQUOISE BLUE & GOLD OUTFITS
The four Falana siblings stood out at the event. Their outfits were different from that of the guests. It was simply a family affair. They wore gold-plated turquoise blue damask. It was well designed. Those in the fashion industry revealed to City People that it was a very expensive material.
ISLAND CLUB MEMBERS CAME IN THEIR NUMBERS
City People started noting at the church that some Island Club members played key roles at the event. It became very obvious at the reception party that it was a core Island Club member’s party. Many of the club members came through. They didn’t just seat as guests, they were involved in the organisation event and the welfare of the guests.
WHITE & SKY BLUE RULED THE DAY
Although there was no specific Aso-Ebi for the event but there was a colour code. It was white and a touch of sky blue. The auditorium became very colourful with different styles and designs of the colours of the day. Trust Lagos big babes to deliver beautiful styles at parties, the female guests indeed had a high taste for fashion. Their outfits left many jaws widely opened.
AJE SUCCESS ON THE BANDSTAND
A classy owambe is determined by the quality of the music among several other things. This was why Aje Success and his band boys needed to raise the bar at the Falanas’ remembrance party. Did he deliver? Of course, he did. His music cut across all genres and his delivery was top-notch. He got positive vibes and comments from the guests as well as cash benefits too.
PRINCESS FUNMILAYO ADEFOLAJU CAME THROUGH
Princess Vivian Funmilayo Adefolaju is a UK trained Chartered Secretary from the Prestigious Pitman college. She is the author of “ADOLESCENCE and SEX…daring to speak out” a book developed out of a series of events and an insight into real-life situations, it also sets out to offer assistance and advice to teenagers transiting to adulthood. She was one of the big guns at the event. She was spotted on several occasions spraying Mrs Bolajoko Adeshina and her siblings.
HRH ELELEGA OF ELEGA KINGDOM, OGBOMOSHO WAS PRESENT TOO
Oba Olusayo Sunday Oyewumi Oyelowo the Elelega of Elega is no doubt a blessing to the people and the entire community of Elega in Ogbomoso as well as Lagos. City People gathered that the welfare and development of the southwest region is more important to him than the title as Elelega of Elega. As a royalty, Kabiyesi rarely attends functions but when he does, he does so in grand style. He was at the event with his entourage. His presence spoke of royalty, class and splendour. He also mounted the stage to bless the celebrants and musicians of the day.
DR OLUFEMI FALANA MEETS OLD SCHOOLMATE
It was a reunion moment for Dr Olufemi Falana, the last born of the Falana dynasty as he met some of his old secondary schoolmates. They came to felicitate with him. One of them was Ms. Yetunde Gomez, the head of a post-production unit of Lagos Television. She was gorgeously dressed and looked ever-young.
OLORI EBI AND HER GOONS
They could be old but they are not tired. These senior citizens surely know how to enjoy life. They are the friends of Mrs Bolajoko Adeshina and with the way they rallied round her, you will know that she’s so dear to them. They are a group of 5 elderly women. City People found out that they’ve been friends for more than 50 years. It was beautiful reuniting at the event again.
HON FEMI ADEFOLAJU & WIFE SPECIALLY RECOGNISED
Hon. Femi Adefolaju a founding member Ekiti Patriotic Forum (UK) and former Special Adviser to Ekiti State Governor Fayemi on Diaspora was also present at the event. He is the husband of Princess Funmilayo Adefolaju. His entry into the auditorium was grand. He made statements on and off the stage. His appearance added glamour to the party.
MR BOYE FALANA DREW THE CURTAIN
When it was time for dance, dance, dance, Mr Boye Falana, one of the members of the Falana dynasty was called upon to take the vote of thanks. He was full opf gratitude to all the guests. He also emphasised the fact that their late parents have already been immortalised in their minds. He drew the curtain and opened the floor for the real party to begin. The guests were there till late into the night.
BOLAJOKO INTERNATIONAL FULLY REPRESENTED
Nigerians in the US are well conversant with the brand Bolajoko International. It is a name that is associated with Nigerian foods in the USA. At the Falanas’ remembrance party, Mama Bolajoko Adeshina made all the guests have a feel of what is being enjoyed by Nigerians in the US. She shared some of her food items as souvenirs. Guests went home with raw garri, elebo (yam flour) and beans. There was more than enough for all the guests. The souvenirs went round and there were still many left unshared.
THE VENDORS DID A FANTASTIC JOB
From the event décor down to food vendors and others, all the vendors gave a good account of themselves. Rottanio’s Ventures was in charge of the décor while Fumfissy catered. Their professionalism gave the guests a good impression. The comments about the vendors were quite positive from a reporter’s point of view.
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