•As Eminent Nigerians Storm LEKKI COLISEUM, In LAGOS
A few days back, the 22nd City People Awards for Excellence was held in Lagos. The event which trended well on social media held on Sunday 31st, March 2019 and many successful Nigerians from different walks of life were present either to be honoured or to show love and support for the awardees and their ever trusted brand. City People Magazine’s DAMILARE SALAMI was at the event and he brings you a blow by blow reportage of the event which started at about 4 pm and ended at about 10 pm, enjoy.
THE LEKKI COLISEUM (TLC) PLAYS HOST
The Lekki Coliseum, (TLC) hosted the 2019 City People Award For Excellence and it is no doubt a worthy venue to host a classy event. The Lekki Coliseum is the hottest event right now on the Island and is strategically positioned in an easily accessible area. Its location encouraged many Lagos society people to attend. The event was held at the topmost auditorium of the 5 storey building enabling guests have a view of the aesthetics of the Lekki and Oniru environ. Beautifully decorated with touches of red, the auditorium was looking all inviting and very ready to host another ground breaking event as celebrities and VIPs began to troop as the evening of excellence, maximum fun and entertainment began to unfold.
VIPS STORM RED CARPET
At about 3:00 pm, the open roof arena of The Lekki Coliseum (TLC) auditorium had started coming alive as Very Important People (VIPs) displayed their beauty and made fashion statements on the red carpet. Starting with 75-year-old Health and wellness coach, Mrs Susan Oyemade, Alhaji Dr Oluropo Owolabi, the President of a Lagos Social Club, Up Asso, ageless Ambassador Dr Tokunbo Awolowo, Pastor Dotun & Tutu Ojelabi, Quincy Ayodele and Engineer Ayodele, Chief Bisi Olatilo, Nigeria’s ace broadcaster and CEO, BISCON Communications Ltd, the list is just endless. The paparazzi displayed at the red carpet gave a glimpse of what the event was all about i.e. glamour, class, beauty, creativity and excellence.
FAITH BAND WELCOMES GUESTS
Before the official opening of the event, a blend of oldies and current tunes oozed from one of Nigeria’s first and topmost live band, the Faith Band. Dressed in green and white attire, the band, a complete musical group took notice of the kind of special audience and served them with tunes that moved them to dancing even right from the entrance as they took their seats one after the other.
DJ MOP LEADS NATIONAL ANTHEM
Popular Lagos disc jockey, Agbeni Oluwashina Abiodun famously known as DJ MOP officially launched the opening of the event from his wheel of steel as he led guests and dignitaries to take the national anthem, and thereafter, the evening of fun and celebration of excellence began in full.
TV HOST, DOYIN KUKOYI ANCHORS EVENT
Adedoyin Kukoyi is a known face to many Nigerians especially the lovers of Africa Magic Yoruba because of her TV show, Gbajumo Osere. The TV anchor has had a successful run with her programme where she celebrates entertainers and celebrities. Her wealth of experience with a perfect blend of both the Yoruba and English languages came to fore as she anchored the 2019 edition of the City People Award for excellence with touches of perfection and professionalism.
SK WELCOMES GUESTS
Seye Kehinde, the Publisher and Editor in Chief of City People Magazine wasted no time as he mounted the podium to welcome everyone who graced the occasion. In his speech, SK quickly went into the past to explain how City People was set up in November 1996 to mirror the lifestyle of celebrities to the society and how the magazine has been able to move with time to what it is now, after 23 years of effective and professional celebrity and soft sell journalism. “With the advent of social media, we have stepped up our game and are determined to always give you the best,” he said.
MRS SUSAN OYEMADE PRESENTS FIRST SET OF AWARDS
Agile. Beautiful, Creative And funny are words that perfectly describe Grandma Susan Oyemade when she mounted the podium to present the first set of awards to the winners. Dressed in a beautiful and smart carton brown attire, 75 years old Mama Oyemade climbed the podium with ease as she honoured the organisers of the 22nd City People Award for excellence with her time, presence and dancing skills. She presented plaques to the Nigerian Tribune Newspaper ably represented by Dr Tokunbo Dosunmu-Awolowo, the daughter of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, founder of the Nigerian Tribune newspaper. Mr Edward Dickson, the MD, CEO of Nigerian Tribune for his contribution to journalism in the country, Finecoat paint management which bagged the paint of the year award, Dr Oluropo Owolabi, the president of Up Asso who bagged a lifetime achievement award. Chief Kenny Martins Adebayo who was unavoidably absent was ably represented by Bishop Babalola.
NUT KOSOFE BRANCH PULLS THE CROWD
Comrade Bolanle Lucie Olaleye-Mayungbe, the first female chairman of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Kosofe Branch against all odds wrote the name of teachers in gold at the 2019 City People Award for Excellence as she marched to the podium leaving everyone wondering where the crowd that followed her emanated from. A 12-man entourage including Comrade Oguntimehin, Comrade Makanjuola, Comrade Awokunle, Comrade Bakare, Comrade Aluko, Comrade Odebunmi, Comrade Okusaya, Miss Busola Mayungbe, Mr Yemi Ogunlaja, Mrs Bimpe Ibisiola, Mr Gbolahan Ibisiola and Mr Lanre Ajose showed awesome love and support for the woman who is making teachers proud everywhere she goes.
CITY PEOPLE SPRINGS A SURPRISE PASTOR TUTU Ojelabi
Pastor Tutu is the pretty wife of Pastor Dotun Ojelabi, the Senior Pastor at the Covenant harvest Christian International Ministry in Lekki, Lagos. His area of speciality has been in encouraging the young and aspiring leaders in all spheres. She co-runs the church with her husband. The story of the night was the expression of a
FAITH BAND THRILLS GUESTS AGAIN
The Faith band took over from DJ MOP and continued to keep guests busy. A fun filled evening cannot be complete in the absence of good music and that was exactly what the rapport between the live band and DJ served the guests. Undoubtedly, the Faith Band deserves every accolade it got on the night as its music left everyone fully entertained irrespective of the class difference. Even language couldn’t serve as a barrier for the band as it sang in different Nigerian dialects just to serve its multi-lingual audience.
GRANDMA SUSAN OYEMADE TAKES KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Mrs Susan Oyemade, a seasoned and globally respected Wellness coach is a 75-year-old grandma who is not slowing down despite her age. She spoke on the secrets of her wellness and how Nigerians can live long without sicknesses and diseases.
Mrs Oyemade, the founder of Forever Living Products Nigeria, revealed why many Nigerians are not healthy. She said it’s because of the kind of food they eat and a refusal to detoxify their bodies regularly. In her words, “99 per cent of people are not well because of their lifestyle either caused by poverty or affluence. Young men and women die prematurely because of lifestyle diseases like obesity which leads to hypertension and diabetes. We don’t have to die prematurely or age rapidly, we can actually age without ageing if we pay attention to food. But not this alone, worry, anxiety and stress can also make one sick and age so rapidly.”
She further explained the price paid for unhealthy lifestyle in four categories namely; physical, medical, financial and social prices. Some of which she said included adverse effects of drugs, loneliness, abandonment, pains, immobility, low self esteem and spending hard earned money on drugs for survival.
Mama concluded her address with a display of how healthy she is by dancing to hip hop tunes from the turntable of DJ MOP.
KWARA GOVERNOR ELECT, ABDULRAHMAN ABDULRAZAQ HONOURED
Mr Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, the Kwara state governor-elect regrettably couldn’t come physically but his delegates were present and delivered his goodwill message to the management and organisers of the City People award for excellence. He was represented by Mr Mobolaji Ogunde and Usman Abdulrasaq.
UP ASSO PRESIDENT DR OLUROPO OWOLABI PRESENTS NEXT SET OF AWARDS
Doyin Kukoyi without any delay quickly took over the stage after a brief musical interlude spearheaded by the ever ready DJ MOP and invited upstage, the President of popular Lagos social club, Up Asso, Dr Oluropo Owolabi who himself had been had been awarded on the night. He presented the plaques to fellow awardees. Mr Remi Awode bagged the businessman of the year honour, Pastor Dotun Ojelabi of the Covenant Harvest Ministries, Lekki; CSP Titilayo Oriyomi, and the Faith Band all came forward for their plaques.
ANOTHER SURPRISE BIRTHDAY FOR ENGR ABIOLA OTTUN COKER
One of the awardees Engineer Abiola Ottun Coker was announced to come forward for her plaque. Unknowingly to her, it was a double celebration as City People had prepared a gigantic customised cake for her. She was almost moved to tears as family, friends and well wishers joined her for different photo sessions. Her gorgeous black dinner gown was another symbol of attraction, she looked stunning and her brother, Seni was always close by to give her all the love and support she needed on her special night. She is a big business woman in Abuja.
QUINCY AYODELE’S Royal Entrance
One of the VIPs who stole the show on the night was Quincy Ayodele, a popular Lagos Herbal medicine practitioner and entrepreneur. Her brand, Quincy Herbals, is a Nigerian leading herbal healthcare centre where most Nigerian celebrities patronise. Her style of entry into the TLC auditorium caught the attention of virtually everyone present as she walked majestically in between her entourage to her customised front row table. She came in the company of her husband, Engineer Ayodele and her two lovely daughters who eventually stole the show with their dance steps.
MRS FUNMI AJILA-LADIPO PRESENTS NEXT SET OF AWARDS
Mrs Funmi Ajila-Ladipo is the Chief Executive Officer of Regalia and President, Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria. She is happily married to the founder of Agile Communications, Rufai Ladipo Being a fashion guru, her presence on the stage left everyone wondering where such beauty and style had been hiding almost all night. She was saddled with the responsibility of presenting plaques to Prince Bisi Olatilo, Alhaji Abdulrahman Abubakar, the Kwara state governor elect who was represented by Mr Mobolaji Ogunde and Usman Abdulrasaq, Mrs Susan Ojemade, Forever Living Product, Chief Mrs Quincy Olasunmbo Ayodele who was honoured with a lifetime achievement award. Mr Tope Akinola, the Jagaban of Forever Living Product.
PRINCE BISI OLATILO EULOGISES SK
Ace broadcaster and CEO BISCON Communications, Prince Bisi Olatilo didn’t leave the podium after receiving his plaque until he made sure he sang the praises of the Management of City People Magazine and precisely the Publisher, Dr Seye Kehinde who he said has done well to always recognise and appreciate excellence. The four-time recipient of City People Awards also encouraged all Nigerians to keep excelling because they will be recognised someday soon.
OGUN GOVERNOR-ELECT, PRINCE DAPO ABIODUN SENDS POWERFUL TEAM
Prince Dapo Abiodun, the incoming governor of Ogun state made his presence felt even though he was not physically present. He was duly represented by some of his team members namely; Hon Shuabu Salis, Hon Adijat Adeleye, Hon Funmi Afuwape, Hon Kunle Otun and Aare Ajibola Fagade with his lovely.
QUINCY AYODELE’S BABES DIG IT AS FAITH BAND THRILLS
Quincy Ayodele’s pretty daughters showed how much they appreciate good music as they left the comfort of their table to move upstage while they danced to the vibes the Faith Band produced. Their action caused other celebrities to also come closer to the stage and do likewise.
CSP DOLAPO BADMUS & MISS INTERCONTINENTAL AFRICA PRESENT NEXT SET OF AWARDS
Celebrity police officer and Zone 2 police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmus, and Miss Intercontinental Africa, Queen Chizoba Ejike, did a joint presentation of plaques to the next set of winners. Their presentation was a combination of beauty and intelligence and it added glamour to the already enjoyable night. SIFAX Group, Olori Supergal, Chief Mrs Ibilola Solaja represented by Tinu Ottun, Mrs Olayinka Pamela Adedayo, Mrs Omolade Asabi Sanyaolu, Obi Uzokwu and Prince Dapo Abiodun, the incoming governor of Ogun state all got their plaques from this duo.
COMEDIAN MC JIMMY DAIRO CRACKS RIBS
The event was a complete package in terms of fun and entertainment as popular Lagos based comedian, Mc Jimmy Dairo cracks up the guests with his jokes. By the time he left the stage, everyone present was practically laughing out loud.
POPULAR ACTRESS FOLUKE DARAMOLA ACCOMPANIES HOUSE OF PHREEDAH TO THE PODIUM
One of Nigeria’s topmost actresses, Foluke Daramola was one of the people who showed love her love for another topmost beauty and spa brand, House of Phreedah headed by the CEO, Mrs Folasade Farida, by accompanying her to the podium to receive her plaque.
MRS ASABI SANYAOLU SLAYS IN BLINGING BLACK ATTIRE
Mrs. Omolade Ashabi Sanyaolu-Usman is a pretty young and dynamic lady who sits atop a big brand exportation company called, Gbenusi Integrated Investment Limited Company in Lagos.
The company deals with Agro products. It was launched barely 3 years ago and has grown in leaps and bounds ever since. The most fascinating thing about her on the night was her blinging black attire which captivated everyone as soon as she mounted the podium for her plaque. She came in the company of five other pretty chics and four able bodied men.
FUNKE FADEKU STUNS IN MERMAID GOWN
Mrs Funke Fadeku is one of the hottest fashion designers in Nigeria today who has been into fashion for the past 13 years. She runs Shoge Exquisite Fashion House in Lagos. She is a damn good designer. And this was proven in the stunning outfit she slayed at the event. It was a peach colour sequence lace simple called mermaid gown.
TFC ATTENDS WITH HIGH RANKING STAFF
Popular Lagos eatery, Tastee Fried Chicken was one of the winners of the prestigious City People Award for Excellence and it made its presence felt with some of its high ranking staff in attendance. The team was led by Dr Akinleye Fowoke, a director, Mr Seyi Odebiyi, General Manager and Head of Quality Control, Mr Biodun Kadiku, AGM and Manager, Special Duties, Mr Bisola Akinsanya, Communication and Strategy Manager, and Miss Lolade Adesanya, Events Place Manager.
QUINCY AYODELE AND HUSBAND PRESENT LAST SET OF AWARDS
Engineer Ayodele and his wife, Quincy had the honour of presenting the last sets of award plaques to winners. Mr Luqman Balogun, Pastor Kunle Ajayi and Pastor Victor Ayeye all got theirs from the celebrity couple.
SMALL CHOPS GALORE
The event will not be properly reported should there not be a mention of the array of small chops guests were served. Sumptuously Yours, Chopmore Small Chops and Cocktails, TFC small chops, and Fesco Food ensured no table was left empty.
-DAMILARE SALAMI
