•Details Of The 3 DayEvent In ILORIN
Ilorin, the Kwara state capital stood still on Friday 28th December, Saturday 29th December and Sunday, 30th December, 2018, as Mama Felicia Modupe, the mother of popular Lagos and Abuja socialite and oil and gas mogul, Otunba Muyiwa Ibeun, the Apesin of Lagos. It was 3 days of fun as the high and mighty in Nigeria gathered to celebrate Mama. City People’s DAMILARE SALAMI and senior Photo journalist, ABDULRASHEED SANNI were there for the 3 days to give you the full gist. Below are excerpts from the event for your enjoyment.
ABOUT THE PRE-BIRTHDAY GET TOGETHER
Friday, December 28th was not Mama’s birthday but it will be forever remembered by the many guests who were hosted at the Tanke, Ilorin residence of Mama Felicia Modupe as the evening could pass for beautiful birthday celebration; but it was just a tip of the iceberg. The evening started with cool music oozing out of the band.
Abereoran Olorunsegun aka Segun Dudu, an ace Kogi politician and a very close pal of Otunba Muyiwa Ibeun was the anchor of the evening and he announced that the gathering was an unofficial pre-celebration of Mama’s birthday.
Niyi Bright and his band gave guests the fun of their life as he serenades everyone present. Mama Felicia was joined by his children on the stage as they danced to the sonorous tunes. Mama’s first son, Prof Abubakar Adebayo Musa opened the dance floor as he sprayed his beloved other and the band ndlessly. He was later joined by his other siblings.
Mama’s other children, Mrs Folasade Ademola-Bank, Mrs Oluwakemi Ibitoye and Mr Femi Ibeun also joined the pre-party. They all danced and sprayed mama; her grandchildren were not left out of the fun.
The Apesin of Lagos, Otunba Muyiwa Ibeun who happened to be Mama’s last child was also part of the unofficial birthday party. As a man of class that he is, Otunba Muyiwa’s display on the stage only explained that the real party was going to be more fun than one could ever anticipate. There was plenty of food and drinks for all guests as the gate to Mama’s house was opened to passers-by who branched to enjoy the different delicacies at the pre-birthday party.
KWARA HOTEL GOES AGOG FOR MAMA
No other venue in Ilorin could have been more appropriate to celebrate an icon and a mother of all mothers, Mama Felicia Modupe as she clocked 80 than the prestigious Kwara hotel situated adjacent the state house in Ilorin. The hall A, B and C of the hotel were booked for Mama as guests had already trooped in on Friday, a day before the main celebration. The hall A was the main auditorium but hall B served as the overflow for guests whose invites didn’t make hall A while hall C was reserved for gift items for guests.
AT THE PURPLE CARPET
Purple was the colour of the day and different shades of purple and white were displayed to signify that the latest octogenarian, Mama Felicia is indeed a symbol of royalty. At the purple carpet, most of the guests especially the VIPs came to show their love for mama as they all talked about her, who she is to them and their prayers for the virtuous mother and grandmother.
Most significant at the red carpet was the presence of seven different royal fathers who came to show their love for Mama. Her children too were not absent to show love, snap photographs and celebrate their beloved mother at the purple carpet before entering the main auditorium.
ILORIN’S TOP DISC JOCKEY, DJ BISHOP STEALS SHOW
While guests were awaiting Mama’s arrival, Ilorin’s acclaimed number one disc jockey, DJ Bishop was on the wheel of steel and he completely stole the show before the live band took over. His ability to combine tunes that carried the young and older members of his audience stood him out among many other DJs. He was able to completely bridge the generational gap amidst his audience and entertained everyone irrespective of their age and class.
SEGUN DUDU AND RONKE OSHODI OKE ANCHORED THE EVENT
Mama’s birthday had a touch of class, as ace Kogi politician, cum compere, Abereoran Olorunsegun JP, popularly known as Segun Dudu blended well with veteran Nollywood actress and screen diva, Mrs Ibironke Ojo-Anthony, popularly called Ronke Oshodi-Oke. They were a perfect combination as their classy presentations entertained guests at different times. A blend of English, Yoruba and Mopa, mama’s indigenous dialect flowed from Segun Dudu and Ronke Oshodi-Oke as they ensured that none of the guests were left out. They perfectly bridged the language barrier and guests gave kudos to them for their professional displays. They welcomed all the dignitaries and guests seated and officially announced the opening of the event.
ENGINEER BARRY TAKES OPENING PRAYER
Mama Felicia according to her children and close relative is a devout Christian who does not joke with prayers, so it was not surprising when Engineer Barry was invited up stage by the anchors to take the opening prayer and he did without delay.
8 ROYAL FATHERS STORM MAMA’S PARTY
At first, one would wonder why Purple was the colour of the day buy the guess didn’t last so long for audience after seven different royal fathers stormed Mama’s birthday at the same time and another joined them in the course of the event. The royal fathers were lead by HRM, Oba Dr Solomon Oloyede Atobatele, Ilufemiloye II, the Olusiin of Isanluisin and the chairman, traditional council of Isin. Others are Oba Prof Billy Olajide, the Olola of Ola Isin, HRM Oba Dr Gabriel Adewoye, the Olowu of Owu Isin, HRM Oba Raufu Oyerinde, the Oniwo of Iwo-Odu Ore. HRM Oba Dr Timothy Oyebanji, the Olofa of Ofa-Isin, HRM Oba Dr David Adewuyi, the Alala of Alla, HRM Oba Kamarudeen Salaudeen, the Onigbin of Oke-Igbin.
As the event went on, another royal father walked majestically in to honour Mama, he is HRM, the Olosi of Osi, Oba Saliu Abdulkareem, Adasofegbe Arobeku 1.
QUEEN AYO BALOGUN HITS THE STAGE
Queen Ayo Balogun is a Lagos based juju maestro who is popular among Lagos socialites as she rocks in many major events in the country. Her introductory performance gave the guest a glimpse of what she was capable of. She manned the microphone as the anchors, Segun Dudu and Ronke Oshodi-Oke announced mama’s arrival. Her first performance left everyone asking for more as guests storm the stage to appreciate her brilliant performance.
MAMA’S GRAND ENTRY
Like a Queen waiting to be crowned by the entire community, Mama Felicia Modupe majestically walked into the auditorium in the company of her husband, Chief J. Sunday Ibeun, her children, Prof Abubakar Adebayo Musa, Mrs Folasade Ademola-Bank, Mrs Oluwakemi Ibitoye, Mr Femi Ibeun and the Apesin of Lagos, Otunba Muyiwa Ibeun. She was equally joined by her grandchildren, friends and age grade. While Mama danced in, everyone in the auditorium and overflow gave her a standing ovation to honour the newest octogenarian.
MAMA STUNS IN
HER OUTFIT
Mama appeared in a gold plated with a well designed ofi that served as her gele and ipele. The gele and ipele were also plated with golden stones Her shoes and bags matched the outfit so well that one would have believed Mama was in her 60s. She looked way younger than her age and the energy with which she danced only showed that Mama is still very active even at 80.
PROF ABUBAKAR ADEBAYO MUSA TAKES OPENING REMARKS
Mama’s first son, Abubakar Adebayo Musa, a professor at the University of Ilorin welcomed families, friends and well wishers as he took the opening remarks. Speaking about Mama Felicia Modupe, Prof Abubakar said “Today, we are celebrating a very good wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, sister, friend many things in one person. In my over 50 years of knowing my mother, I have known her to be a very strict disciplinarian, a woman of her words. She has lived a life worthy of emulations and a good example for womanhood.
Prof Abubakar further reiterated that many who knew him would have thought that he grew up as a Christian and later converted to Islam but that wasn’t the case. He said he had been a practicing muslim from his childhood and Mama has never for once pestered him to convert. He said her level of religious tolerance is second to none.
KOGI GOVERNORS GOODWILL MESSAGE
One of the VIPs at the event was the governor of Kogi state, Mr Yahaya Bello but he was unavoidably absent as a result of other pressing state functions. However, he was fully represented by one of his aides, Hon Commander Omodara, the special adviser on security, who delivered the governor’s goodwill message to celebrant, her family and other distinguished guests present.
MOPA CULTURAL CREW ENTERTAIN GUESTS
Mama’s day indeed bridged the gap amongst her guests as everyone who attended was well entertained irrespective of their background. Mopa cultural group, the community entertainers from Mama’s village were on ground to celebrate one of their own. Their performance was greeted with such applauds, a proof that guests were well entertained.
MAMA GETS ROYAL BLESSINGS AND DANCE
The royal fathers who came to honour Mama ensured that they didn’t leave the event until she was fully blessed physically and otherwise. The eight royal fathers present were lead by HRM, Oba Dr Solomon Oloyede Atobatele, Ilufemiloye II, the Olusiin of Isanluisin and the chairman, traditional council of Isin to say words of prayer for the celebrant.
They also joined on the dance floor to have a session of royal dance with Mama Felicia and her children. As Queen Ayo Balogun serenaded the royal fathers, Mama was sprayed by the kings and her children and it was fun seeing royal fathers celebrating her in such a manner.
REV E.O SANYA TAKES SERMON
Reverend Emmanuel O. Sanya of the Foursquare Gospel Church, Tanke-Ilorin was invited over by the comperes for a brief exhortation. His sermon was centred on the essence of life and he described what a successful life should look like; noting that she is a positive influence on her children, those close to her and her community at large. He further described her to be dutiful, charismatic and a good example to her children. He quoted from Proverbs 31 and describes Mama as that kind of woman in the scriptures.
CUTTING OF THE CAKE
Mama Felicia Modupe’s 80th birthday cake was another talking point at the party. It was a well decorated three-step cake with Mama’s picture and age boldly inscribed on it. The royal fathers were the first to cut the cake with the celebrant before Mama’s husband, children, grandchildren and other family members and well wishers joined. The fireworks that accompanied the cutting of the cake was another talking point. It added colour and beauty to the already classy event. A toast to more of life, health and peace of mind for mama was anchored by the comperes as the dance floor was again opened while the celebration continued.
MEET THE ITURA CREW & THEIR SPECIAL
GIFT FOR MAMA
The Itura crew are kids from the same parents but with a huge talent in music and instrumentation. They are a bunch of eleven, nine, seven and five year-old children of Aare Yeye Omoleye Tolufashe Ayelabowo, the Yeye Oge of Okun land and the Aare Yeye of Yoruba land. The crew had Perez on the saxophone, Zerah on the keyboard, Shem on the drums and Japhet on the guitar. Their birthday gift was a musical instrumentation dedicated to Mama Felicia Modupe on her 80TH birthday. Though young, their performance was so professional that anyone listening from afar would have thought it was an international jazz band delivery. To wrap up their performance, the Itura crew played a jazz version of the popular ‘happy birthday song for mama and it was fun indeed.
AYO EWEBIYI PERFORMS IN MOPA DIALECT
One would have thought that Ayo Ewebiyi was from Mopa with the way she performed in the native dialect. She indeed thrilled the audience in both Yoruba and Mopa dialects and was requested to return to the stage again for another found of performance. Her second performance was even more enthralling as Pa Ibeun joined on the dance floor. She left her audience cheering.
MAMA’S SECOND ENTRANCE
Mama’s second entry was another memorable chapter of the fun filled birthday party. At this point, Mama Felicia Modupe had changed her outfit to a charming all white attire with a touch of red. This time around, she was joined by her husband, children and grandchildren with other friends and relatives as she danced from the entrance of the auditorium straight down to the stage. The way Mama danced to the tunes from KWAM II didn’t portray her as an octogenarian; her strength would favourably compete with those in their 50s and 60s.
OTUNBA MUYIWA IBEUN SPRAYS MAMA AGAIN
Mama’s last child, Otunba Muyiwa Ibeun was all smiles as he sprays his dear mother at her second entry. His display of love for Mama was second to none, he indeed proved himself to be a classy socialite with his dance steps but everyone who attended the event would notice how he uniquely does everything including spraying Mama and the live band.
THE APESIN OF LAGOS STYLISH APPEARANCE
Worthy of note at the event amongst several other things was the stylish appearance of the Apesin of Lagos, Otunba Muyiwa Ibeun. He appeared in a stunning white agbada and kembe. Underneath the agbada was a sleeveless inner wear with a well designed red cap which matched his shoes. His appearance only explained how classy and fashionable Otunba is.
SHINA PELLER, HON WEMI JONES, OTUNBA LEKAN OSIFESO, OTHERS STORM VIP DANCE FLOOR
The dance floor became very hot, thick and for a selected few, only a few people could stand the calibre of celebrities on the dance floor as the event was gradually coming to an end. Friends of Otunba Muyiwa Ibeun joined him on stage to show their love for the man of the moment whose mother just clocked 80. Popular politician, Shina Peller, Otunba Lekan Osifeso, Hon Wemi Jones, Dr Bar Kayode Ajulo, Hon Commander Omodara, Chief Akere and a host of others.
PA SUNDAY IBEUN TAKES VOTE OF THANKS
The event officially came to a close with Pa Sunday Ibeun taking the vote of thanks. The agile looking grandfather took his time to appreciate all the royal fathers, distinguished guests, friends, family, well wishers and everyone who made the event a huge success and prayed for a safe trip back to their various destinations.
VENDORS
Food and drinks were more than surplus at Mama’s birthday and this made it one of the most talked about events that ever held in Ilorin. Lhadhid Kitchen, Bisola Catering services and Divine Favour Catering Services took charge of the meals which included jollof rice, fried rice, coconut rice, local rice (rice oniru), ofada rice, moi moi, porridge beans, dodo, pounded yam, semovita, amala, vegetable salad, efo riro, egusi, ogbono, gbegiri and ewedu, chicken stew, assorted beef stew, Chinese rice, savori rice, Singapore noodles, shredded beef in green peppered sauce, and chicken in vegetable sauce. La Pearl Cuisine took charge of small chops, palm wine and cocktails
Puzzle cocktails and Juice Fairy Mocktails were in charge of other drinks including cocktail, mock tails, beer, Irish creams, Champaign, brandy, dry gins, non alcoholic wines, energy drinks, packaged juices, and soft drinks. Sidreem cakes and more provided the celebrant’s cake and other cup cakes.
The beautiful ushers and table attendants were from TM Fash outfits.
ROLL CALL
Some of the notable guests at the event are HRM, Oba Dr Solomon Oloyede Atobatele, Ilufemiloye II, the Olusiin of Isanluisin and the chairman, traditional council of Isin. Others are Oba Prof Billy Olajide, the Olola of Ola Isin, HRM Oba Dr Gabriel Adewoye, the Olowu of Owu Isin, HRM Oba Raufu Oyerinde, the Oniwo of Iwo-Odu Ore. HRM Oba Dr Timothy Oyebanji, the Olofa of Ofa-Isin, HRM Oba Dr David Adewuyi, the Alala of Alla, HRM Oba Kamarudeen Salaudeen, the Onigbin of Oke-Igbin, HRM, the Olosi of Osi, Oba Saliu Abdulkareem, Adasofegbe Arobeku 1.
Hon Commander Omodara, Mr Jegede Paul, Chairman Gabol group, Mummy Ajiboye, Barrister Ademola-Bank, Lady Evangelist M.O. Adeleye, Chief Akere Owoniyi, chairman, Oko development association, south/west, Engineer Chief Omojola, Rev and Mrs E.O. Sanya, Dr (Barr) Kayode Ajulo, Otunba Biodun Oludoyi, Chairman ODA Southwest, Dr and Mrs M.O. Ibeun, Engineer Barry, Mr and Mrs Ajayi Oluwatosin, Otunba Lekan Osifeso, Engineer Ekundayo Ibeun, Mr Ayodeji Ibeun, Prof A.J. Salami, Mrs Oladuntoyi, Kwara state NSCDC commandant, Mr Ayinla Fashina, Shina Peller, Hon Wemi Jomes, Mr Ayo Oba Abdulraheem, Hon Henry Tuesday Abimbola, Engineer Herasco, Mrs Ebun Ayotola, Hon Aiyelabowo A. Adebanji, SSA To Kogi Governor on Youth Empowerment, Aare Yeye Omoleye Tolufashe Ayelabowo, the Yeye Oge of Okun land and the Aare Yeye of Yoruba land, to mention but just a few.
POST BIRTHDAY THANKSGIVING SERVICE
On Sunday, December 30th, Mama Felicia Modupe’s 80TH birthday thanksgiving service held at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG Heaven’s Gate situated at Tanke, Ilorin. Mama was dressed in all purple attire and danced from one end of the church auditorium to the other to show appreciation to her God. She was accompanied by her husband, Pa J.S. Ibeun, her children, Prof Abubakar Adebayo Musa, Mrs Folasade Ademola-Bank, Mrs Oluwakemi Ibitoye, Mr Femi Ibeun and the Apesin of Lagos, Otunba Muyiwa Ibeun, grandchildren, family members and well wishers.
MAMA’S THANKSGIVING SPEECH
Mama gave a special thanksgiving speech at the church. She expressed gratitude to God for sparing her life till this time of her life. She said: “I thank God, I give him the glory because there have been so many storms but he gave me victory. “After my retirement from work, I was not sick; my children are hale and hearty. I’m thanking God because he is good to me.”
The services ended with thanksgiving photo session while guests were entertained at Mama’s Tanke residence in Ilorin.
