It was a double celebration for the members of the Oke-Ogbere community in Lagos as De-Prinocc Construction Company launched its first motorable bridge on Thursday, December 5, 2019; a day which also doubled as the first celebration of Oke-Ogbere day. It was a huge celebration as representatives of the government, the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), community leaders, top TV personalities, showbiz stars and entertainers were all present to mark the epoch-making event. To add icing to the star-studded event, the commissioning chairman, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, a former ambassador of Nigeria to Ghana was also among the dignitaries at the event. City People’s DAMILARE SALAMI, TIMOTHY FOWOMOLA and Photojournalist, ABDULRASHEED SANNI were there with photos and gists from the event, enjoy.
ABOUT OKE-OGBERE COMMUNITY
Oke-Ogbere community is one of the riverine areas that share a boundary with Ijegun, Bucknor, Jakande Estate, Ago Palace Way, Okota and also links mile 2, Apapa and environs. It is such a strategically located community but with a very slow-paced development. The presence of this link bridge constructed by De-Prinocc will no doubt open up the community to new businesses which will invariably bring about faster development of the environment. That being said, something unique about this link bridge is how it has since its completion reduced the congestion on Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, Isolo-Mushin road and other inward roads linking the near-by communities.
ARRIVAL OF GUESTS
At about 12 noon, guests from all walks of life had started trooping in for the record-breaking event. At around 1:00 pm, Oke Ogbere already looked like it was holding a carnival as the entire sitting space had already been occupied. Kings, Chiefs, Politicians, community leaders and different professionals had taken their seats and were already being entertained by different cultural groups before the event officially started.
POPULAR OAPS ANCHOR EVENT
Popular TV presenter and actress, Feyikemi Niyi-Olayinka who regularly co-hosts Owurolawa on LTV and Bimbo Badmus who hosts Miliki Express on cable TV, Orisun gave the guests a lifetime experience as they brought their TV show razzmatazz to the event. Ranging from the VIPs down to the least expected guest, everyone was carried along by this duo.
3-IN-1 OPENING PRAYER
There were three different forms of opening prayer sessions at the event. First, it was the Christian version of the prayer that was adopted. And then the Muslim version before the Abore of Ejigboland was invited by popular demand to take the traditional style of prayer. The reason for this was simple. The vent did not intend to leave anyone shortchanged in anyway, so everyone was carried along even with vast and different religious beliefs.
ROYAL FATHERS STORM EVENT
Something very notable about this event was the huge presence of many notable royal fathers. Some of the traditional rulers who marked their presence are HRM, Oba Fatai Aremu Aromire, Oyegbami 1, The Oba of Ojora Kingdom, HRM Oba Abdulkabir Alani Akolawole Adelaja Agbabiaka. Ainagbeto Ilufemiloye Adeola III, the Osolo of Isolo Kingdom. Oba Morufu Adekunle, the Ojon of Ejigbo, High Chief Tajudeen Orilowo Ganiyu, Baale of Oke Ogbere, Okota, Baale Salami, Gbengbeleku Ajegunle, Chief Peter Famoroti, Balogun Marine Bridge, Chief Samuel Christopher Omoikhunu, the Babalaje of Ogbereland, and Chief Mrs Lucy Omosefe Ajayi, the Yeye Oge of Ogbereland.
FAST-RISING MUSICIANS THRILL AUDIENCE
The entertainment side of De-Prinocc was revealed at the event as many fast-rising music stars were in the queue to rock the day. De-Prinocc entertainment itself did not fail to showcase some of its established stars. Madiva, a female multi-genre singer was the first to mount the podium. Though she had a very short time to perform, she didn’t disappoint as she thrilled her guests with hip-hop, highlife and juju tunes. Ola Jesu was the next to rock the day. His performance was so memorable most especially for those who were seeing him for the first time.
SAHEED OSUPA’S SING-ALIKE, SARIDON 2 STEALS SHOW
He goes by the stage name, Saridon 2. Many who are conversant with Saheed Osupa would know that his first stage name was Saridon P. This young man does not only have Osupa’s kind of voice, he also has his carriage. City People found out that he has been under the tutelage of his mentor, the Fuji King, Saheed Osupa. He thrilled the audience acting as a forerunner for his teacher, Osupa. Many who couldn’t catch a glimpse of the stage from afar argued endlessly that it was their fuji Icon that was thrilling them until the arrival of the Fuji King was announced by the anchors of the event.
BADAGRY TRADITIONAL DANCERS (SANGBETO) REPRESENTS
Knowing fully well that De-Prinocc MD Prince YommyOgungbe is Badagry born, his hometown was well represented at the event in honour of his late father, late Chief Augustine Ogungbe. The Sangbeto Dancers performed so beautifully in their traditional attires, alongside the Sangbeto masquerade, drums and song. Time didn’t permit them to do more but everyone was well entertained by their choreographic display.
EYO MASQUERADES WERE ALSO THERE
Was it just the Sangbeto dancers that won the heart of the people? The answer is a big NO. You needed to see how the Eyo Masquerade dancers gallantly entered the podium with breathtaking steps. Many were afraid at their entry, but the Eyo Masquerades do not hurt. They only portrayed the richness of the Lagos and Nigerian culture at large. De-Prinocc definitely brought life to the Oke-Ogbere community that was once relegated to the background.
SENATOR MUSILIUOBANIKORO’S GRAND ENTRY
If there was one person whose arrival caught the attention of every other guest, it was that of Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, a former Ambassador of Nigeria to Ghana and Senator of the federal republic of Nigeria. Senator Obanikoro being the chairman of the occasion landed as a big gun to the event but he did something stunning and amazing to every other guest at the event. The ace politician left his reserved chairman’s seat to extend pleasantry to all the traditional rulers and elders at the event. Simply put, Senator Obanikoro is a well cultured Yoruba man.
CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS
Senator Obanikoro was compelled to say a word about the Prince Yommy Ogungbe before commissioning the project and he didn’t mince words when expressing what he felt about the problem-solving skills of the young entrepreneur. “I have known Yommy for a long time now and he is a very smart, serious and intelligent young man. He is hardworking and focused and his tenacity has brought about the completion of this project.
“I want to thank him for bringing comfort to the people of this community and also want to thank the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) for providing the needed support for the actualization of this project.
The ace politician further charged all local government officials to be awake to their responsibilities and ensure that the dividends of democracy are enjoyed by all without leaving those at the bottom marginalized.
“The local government is the closest to the people, I want to implore the Local Council Chairmen and Councilors to make sure that they being the government that is closest to the people, see to it that they, perform their duties and provide the basic amenities needed by the people in their areas”.
PROJECT COMMISSIONING
Without wasting any time, Senator Obanikoro went ahead with the cutting of the tape after his speech to signify the official commissioning of the project. He was accompanied by his team of security personnel who ensured that the mammoth crowd that came to witness the history-making event didn’t cause any hindrance and nobody was injured.
PRINCESS JOYCE OGUNGBE STUNS
Did we mention to you the role of Princess Joyce Ogungbe at the event? She is the wife of Prince Yommy Ogungbe, De-Prinocc MD. She was gorgeously dressed in a blue gown. She needed no introduction as her dressing and makeover spoke volumes about her personality. She also gave support to her husband everywhere it was needed. Her contributions cannot be swept under the carpet because they were visible…
DE-PRINOCC STAFF’S OUTFIT
If you missed anything at all, it should not be the outfit of the staff members of De-Prinocc Construction Company. They were smartly dressed in navy blue and orange combination for females while the males were on navy blue and yellow! Catchy is an understatement. Their colour combination stood them out.
AWARD PRESENTATION
De-Prinocc Construction in conjunction with NIWA presented awards to some members of the public and some other well-meaning Nigerians who have contributed immensely to the realization of this project and other projects executed by De-Prinocc and NIWA. Some of the awardees are Oba of Ojora Kingdom, HRM, Oba Fatai Aremu Aromire, Oyegbami 1, The Ojon of Ejigbo, Oba MorufuAdekunle, late Augustine Ogungbe, High Chief Hon. Ilori Wellington, Hon. Monsuru Oloyede, Hon. Shamsudeen Olaleye, Hon. FataiAdekunle Ayoola, Alhaji Chief Taoreed Faronbi, High Chief Taoreed Tajudeen, Baale Adesina Ojora, Oloye Alade Buhari Oloto, and Mr. Samson Adepoju.
Outstanding Supports Awards went to Surveyor Bernard Ekawu, Alh. AdulfataiAbolade Adigun, CSP Usman Tahir, NIWA Detective D. Okoro Patience, and Balogun Afeez Iyanda. Barr Oguneye Opeyemi, Chief Teslimi Adeola Adisa.
Outstanding Partnership Awards went to Franktona Trading Company Ltd., Alhaja Somoye Tope, Lady T Ventures, Mrs. Kareem Afolake Medina, Mama J. Ventures, Mr. Okoro Pedro, Pedro Link Ltd., Alh. Wahab Salau, Wabsi Nig. Ltd., Mr. Folorunsho Ogungbemi Mrs. Aletile Yinka and Alh. Oladipupo Azeez Olayiwola.
Outstanding Humanitarian Awards went to Engr. Ebenezer Ekwebeke, Mr. Bamidele Sasiru, Mr. Christian Uchenna Oyindo and HRM Oba Abdulkabir Alani Akolawole Adelaja Agbabiaka. Ainagbeto Ilufemiloye Adeola III, the Osolo of Isolo Kingdom.
SAHEEDOSUPA PERFORMS TILL MAMA CALLS
The end of somethings, they say, always better than the beginning. This exactly defines the Oke-Ogbere link bridge commissioning as the acclaimed Fuji Kind, Saheed Osupa returned to the stage with a bang. He had a swell time with those who matter at the event as they kept spraying him while his praise-singing left them excited.
PRINCESS JOYCE OGUNGBE CAUGHT ENJOYING GOOD MUSIC
If anyone was said to have had maximum fun, it was Princess Joyce Ogungbe as she danced seamlessly to the tunes of cool music oozing out of Saheed Osupa. She also got a big reward as many top dignitaries sprayed her on the stage.
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