•Installed As The 1st Aare Onikoyi of Yorubaland
•Turned Palace To Small Paradise For The 3-Day Party
On Sunday, 28th February, 2021, history was made and a new standard was set in the South West social scene. It was the official coronation of Lagos Real Estate expert, Otunba Tomori Williams as the Aare Onikoyi of Yorubaland by the Alaafin Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi.
The whole of Oyo town was temporarily shut down for the 3 days that the party lasted. All hotels in Oyo were fully booked. Last time the ancient town witnessed such massive turnout of top celebrities was perhaps when K1 was installed as Mayegun of Yorubaland.
If K1’s party, however, was glamorous then Otunba Willams’ own could best be described as Super Glamorous.
The colourful event started on Friday 26th February with ‘Sabaka Night’, at Begonia Hotels, where the celebrant and some VIP guests lodged, and it went on till the next day, Saturday. A popular ‘Agidigbo’ group from Lagos, as well as local drummers from Oyo entertained guests for the two days.
Finale of the whole party, however, took place at Aganju Forecourt, Afin Oyo. During which installation rites were performed at Ile-Osa. Guests were thereafter hosted an elaborate reception. A gigantic marquee that covered almost the entire Aganju Square was erected to accommodate all the invited guests.
The whole event, without exaggeration, couldn’t have gulped anything less than half a billion naira. The marquee that accommodated over two thousand guests, Chiavari chairs, decoration, Green carpet, iron demarcation, security and several other logistics must’ve gulped millions.
Not also forgetting the fact that K1, the Mayegun of Yorubaland was on the bandstand.
In fact, the party was more than classy. And it says so much about the personality of Otunba Tomori Williams.
City People team made up of DARE ADENIRAN, SOLA BAMIDELE and WALE OSANYINTOLA were at the party, and brought you interesting gists from the celebrity-studded event. Below are excerpts of the report.
ABOUT OTUNBA TOMORI WILLIAMS & HIS BEAUTIFUL WIFE
Otunba Tomori Williams, the new Aare Onikoyi of Yorubaland, is an accomplished man in all ramifications. He is not only rich, he is humble to a fault and a philanthropist. He is highly disciplined too. He is an employer of labour, he has a good number of people working with him at T.W.C. Likewise his beautiful wife too, she is a successful businesswoman. They were both excellent hosts at the party. Yeye Tomori Williams, who looked gorgeous in her stoned White French lace with Purple headgear, made sure everything went as planned. Otunba Tomori is MD/CEO T. Williams Construction Nig. Ltd., the Managing Director of Olaleye Property and Investment Ltd, MD Maintek Property and MD Olaleye New Town Developments Ltd. His various working expertise includes Real Estate Developments, Construction, Property Repossession, and Consultancy.
WHY ALAAFIN HONOURED TOMORI
A golden fish they say has no hiding place. That is exactly what has played out in the case of Tomori. His success, dedication to work, philanthropic gestures and humility are what has endeared him to many over the years. And that is what has also caught the attention of Alaafin to decide to honour him with a special title, Aare Onikoyi of Yorubaland. Aare Onikoyi is not an ordinary chieftaincy tittle, it is for brave, courageous and industrious men in those days. This will not but encourage Otunba Tomori Williams to do more in the area of society-building and touching lives positively.
THE PALACIOUS VENUE/DECORATION
Give it to Tomori, the man sure has a high taste for good things. Everything about the party was detailed. The gigantic marquee, which served as a venue and accommodated over two thousand guests, was turned into a small paradise. Right from the entrance of the hall, one could feel what to behold inside. There were bold pictures of the celebrant welcoming guests to the party. There was also this neatly laid Green carpet that led to the main entrance of the hall. Entering the hall, was this elaborate decoration. The props, drapes and chandeliers, as well as flowers, were all put to good use, which created a kind of home away from home feeling for guests. In fact, it was a beautiful scene to behold. The high table was superb, so also was the VIP section. The beauty of the whole arrangement was too glaring to be ignored. The beautiful ushers in Aso-Oke also added colour to the party.
ABOUT THE WATER-TIGHT SECURITY/COVID-19 PROTOCOLS
It was amazing to see how the security situation was managed at the party despite the mammoth crowd. Men of the Nigeria Police, Civil Defence and other security outfits were fully on ground.
COVID-19 protocols were also observed, as guests were seen with their nose masks, and hand sanitiser applied by the bouncers as guests were coming in. One side of the marquee was placed at the extreme end of the field, while the other was barricaded with iron bars, thereby creating space for party vendors. Only two entrances were created and those were manned by hefty bouncers. There were also two security checks before entering the main hall.
GREAT SUPPORT FROM THE OYOMESI
The Oyomesi are the members of Alaafin-in-Council. They were a fulcrum of support for Otunba Tomori Williams and his family during the installation ceremony. They are the ones who supervised the coronation rites at the Ile-Osa.
THE ROYAL PRESENCE FROM LAGOS, OYO & OSUN OBAS
There was an array of prominent traditional rulers from across Lagos, Oyo and Osun at the party. It wasn’t unexpected, Otunba Tomori Williams is a good man. He is well-loved by all and sundry. Some Obas were also there to honour Alaafin. The list includes the Olubadan of Ibadanland Oba Saliu Adetunji, the Aje Ogungunniso 1, ably represented by the Mogaji Ile’ba, Chief Nureni Akanbi; Olugbon of Orile Igbon, Oba Francis Olusola Alao; Aragbiji of Iragbiji; Olofa of Offa Oba Mufutau Muhammed Oloyede Gbadamosi, Okikiola Esuwoye II;Â Osolo of Isolo kingdom, Oba Kabiru Agbabiaka; Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi; Oba Kayode Ajigbotifa, Onibogun of Ibogun and several others.
ALAAFIN’S GRAND ENTRY ALONGSIDE HIS BEAUTIFUL OLORIS
The ever-stylish Alaafin of Oyo, HIM Oba Lamidi Adeyemi 111, in his usual manner, made a grand entry into the reception venue. His beautiful younger Oloris were beside him. The respected monarch is not only brilliant but also has a high taste for quality things. That has really reflected in his choice of Oloris; he likes them young, beautiful and fair-skinned. Even his older Oloris are all beautiful. At the party, the younger Oloris (about six of them), clad in white attires with glowing skin, were the cynosure of all eyes. They stormed K1’s stage with Alaafin, who graciously danced to the good tunes from Mayegun himself.
FORMER GOVERNOR ALAO-AKALA WAS IN THE HOUSE TOO
Also in Alaafin’s entourage into the party reception was the former governor of Oyo State, Otunba Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala. Akala sure enjoyed his short stay at the party. He has been busy with political engagements lately. He is being saddled with great responsibility by Late former governor Abiola Ajimobi who made him the Leader of Oyo APC. So, Akala alongside other APC chieftains is presently working on how to harmonize and reconcile all the aggrieved members of the party ahead of 2023.
WITH LOVE FROM LAGOS ISLAND & MAINLAND TRADITIONAL CHIEFS
Another testament that Otunba Tomori Williams is well-loved was the heavy presence of traditional chiefs from both Lagos Island and the mainland at the party. They came with full force and supported their own, Tomori. They include Chief Oladehinde Faloyi, Olorogun Ide of Lagos; Chief Lamina Sasi, the Sasi of Lagos; Prince Ayodele Oyekan, Bajulaye of Lagos; Chief Adegboyega Junaid, Baale of Oyingbo; Chief Musibau Jinadu, Baale Okooba; Chief Kehinde Kalejaye, Baale Otumara & Apapa; Chief Oluwole Odulaja, Baale Haha; Chief Wasiu, Baale Oko-Agbo and others.
NOLLYWOOD WAS NOT LEFT OUT TOO
Aare Tomori Williams, no doubt, has touched many people positively with his philanthropic gestures, which was testified to by few that were given the chance to speak about him in the course of the installation ceremony. One of them is the leading Yoruba actor, Taiwo Hassan popularly known as ‘Ogogo’. Ogogo, in his short remarks, described Tomori as a man of honour who derives joy in helping others. Other actors who graced the event, however, include Yinka Quadri, Femi Adebayo, Adeoye Adewale aka ‘Elesho’ and several others.
……AND HENNESSY/CHAMPAGNES FLOWED LIKE WATER
Apart from the exclusive decoration and the calibre of people who graced the occasion, as well as the different exotic cars, another high point of the party was the free flow of expensive wines. All grades of Hennessy, champagnes and other brandy products were just flowing like they were going out of circulation.
PRINCE FUHAD OLOTO, AN EXCELLENT HOST
Fuhad, a prince of Otto kingdom in Lagos, was a member of the planning committee of the party and one of the closest persons to Aare Tomori Williams. But he could best be described as Chief Host of the party for the wonderful role he played. He was on his feet all through and made sure all guests were taken care of. Prince Fuhad, no doubt, has successfully cut a style for himself. He is stylish, handsome and has what it takes to be a socialite.
PRINCESS FOLASHADE ADEYEMI’S SUPPORTIVE ROLE
Call her energetic princess, you won’t be wrong or address her as ‘Madam fix it’, you are still on the right lane. That is Princess Folashade Adeyemi, the first daughter of Alaafin for you. Organising events always come naturally for her and that, as usual, played out at Aare Tomori Williams’s coronation ceremony. She played a major role by making sure all the royal fathers and their entourage were taken care of. She was on ground throughout the party. In case you don’t know, Arewa, as Folashade is popularly called within and outside the palace, is the brain behind most the cultural events at the palace. She is the C.E.O, Arewa House Culture.
WHO DID WHAT
As expected of any event of such magnitude and the man involved, the best hands in the event management were engaged for the party. The whole event was organised by popular events planner, Finesse. Ice Box handled drinks, while the trio of Feyikemi Niyi Olayinka, Wale Adekemi and Imoyosola Adetoro anchored the events. K1 was on the bandstand. Let’s not forgot to tell you about the well-packaged seafood (crab, snail, Crayfish etc) supplied by ‘Abeke Alabodo’. It was yummy.
THE ROLL CALL
Onishagisha of Magodo; Mogaji Nureni Akanbi, the representative of Olubadan; Oloyan of Oyan, Oba Kelani Adegeye and his beautiful wife, Olori Abosede; former governor of Oyo State, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala; Hon. Shina Peller; Him. Shina Alabi; Aare Ona Kakanfo, Iba Gani Adams; Alhaja Khadijat Bakare, the Iyaloja of Oyo; Otunba Wale Saranda; Ambassador Ayanlakin; Chief Akin Fijabi; Mustapha Dodo; Bolaji Raheem; Mudashiru Odetunde; Bashiru Fakorede; Salisu Elegunsi, Savitex Hotels boss; Owolabi Kamil; Taiwo Hassan (Ogogo); Kunle Oodua; T. Pumping from Abuja; Segun Abolaji of Leisure Court; Shina Okanlomo; Fakorede Bashiru; Kazeem Awolabi; Alara of Ilara of Epe Division and Vice-Chairman, Council of Obas in Lagos, Oba Olufolarin Ogunsanwo Alara Of Ilara, Epe; Sulu Babaewe; Oba Kabiru Agbabiaka, Osolo of Isolo; Olori Again; Olori Olorogun Agbeje; Mr. Nnamdi, Mr. John Beekroft, Barr. Nwosu, Apostle, Barr. Oshidero, Mustapha Sego, Chief Akinsiku Of Lagos, Hon. Jide Jimoh (rep), Okanlomo Abule Ado (Sina), Engr. Ismail, Mr. Musbau (MTN), Chief Christopher Abiodun and several others who are too numerous to mention.
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