There is a new trend in Ibadan social establishment. New super big boys have taken over the scene, and they are really making things happen within and outside the Ibadan social circle. They are upwardly mobile young men who are all successful in their various chosen careers. They are men with powerful connections in high places, and they cut across different sectors.
In Ibadan now, most of the A-list parties are incomplete without the presence of these young men. Most people want them to grace their parties not only because of their popularity but for the fact that they always add colour and glamour to any social gathering they find themselves. Coupled with the fact that some of them are big spenders.
They make parties thick. Their entrance into any party is always grand; the security details, their styles, paparazzi and all. They are all also handsome and stylish. They storm parties in groups and their presence always change the atmosphere of such a party. In fact, other celebrities always want to seat at their table because that is where attention would be. Such splendour and opulence were on display the other day at Otunba Akeem and Yeye Banke Adetoro party at Jogor Events Centre, Ibadan. The party was a huge one. Celebrities from Switzerland, the US, London, UAE and across Nigeria were all present at the party. In fact, the party is still being talked about several days after. The Fuji maestro and the Mayegun of Yorubaland, Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde Marshal popularly known as K1 was on the bandstand. He couldn’t just stop singing praises of these young men. That is the trend, any party they go their presence must be felt.
On the list of the young men who are dominating most A-list social functions in Ibadan, however, is the current honourable member of the Federal House of Representatives, representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Iwajowa/Kajola Federal Constituency in Oyo State, Hon. Shina Peller. Peller, CEO, Aquila Group of Companies and Club Quilox, also has in his circle, his good friend, Moshood Lawal aka Mr White. Mr White is also a successful businessman; rich and handsome.
Also on the list is Omogbolahan Saheed Adigun aka ‘Oba Mobil’, CEO, GASTAB Oil & Gas. Gbolahan is a hardworking, successful young man. He is as rich as they come. He is very handsome; cool, calm and collected. He is, no doubt, sociable too. Above all, he is a philanthropist and always makes statements at any social gathering he finds himself. But despite his rich pocket status, he remains as humble as ever. While Adewumi Oladiti of SAO Petroleum fame can’t also be ignored at any party in Ibadan. He is the son of the National Chairman of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD), Otunba Salimon Akanni Oladiti.
One cannot also talk about fresh young men who are very hot in business and on the social scene in Ibadan presently without mentioning Beedel Construction boss, Bukola Odeleye; Idowu Lamidi of Dollar Real Estate and Farooq Omo Lemomu who is also an estate developer. Shashi, a popular motor dealer is also very hot. The CEO, Shashi Impex Complex is fondly called ‘Baba awon boys’ in Ibadan. Not forgetting Micheal Oluwalogbon, a young dynamic businessman.
What of Kazeem Ishola, the son of late prominent Ishola Elero that late Dr. Sikiru Ayinde Balogun (Barrister) and several other musicians waxed records for back then and Blacky, another popular estate developer in Ibadan,
These young men seem to have taken over from the likes of the BKK Ultimo boss, Alhaji Bashir Kuti, Alhaji Akinade Fijabi, Senator Soji Akanbi, Senator Teslim Folarin, Alhaji Tunde Ologburo, Alhaji Ganiyu Sonubi (GASO) and others. Don’t forget that the later category of celebrities also took over from the much older socialites like of the popular tyre merchant Alhaji Lamidi Ajadi; Alhaji Lateef Oyelade; Alhaji Omo Okuorun; late former Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji AbdulAzeez Alao ‘Arisekola’; the current Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Dawud Akinola (D-Damak) and others.
The stages of social succession is always interesting and that is what makes the Ibadan social establishment hot and unique.
-Dare Adeniran
