•Details Of The Celebrity Studded Party
It was an afternoon of merriment on Thursday, 29th of September when Oba Olufolarin Ogunsanwo, the Alara of Ilara Epe kingdom in Lagos hosted the crème de la crème of the society to his 55th birthday celebration. It was a celebrity studded event which took place at the Alara Palace. City People Society Editor, TAYO OYEDIJI and Photojournalist, SUNDAY OYEMADE captured the event.
ALARA’S PALACE
WORE A NEW LOOK
Entering into the Alara’s palace,you will notice some changes. The palace wore new look for the birthday. The beautiful palace walls were repainted and decorated in preparation of the birthday party. The party took place inside the big marquee mounted in the palace compound.The marquee seated about a thousand guests who all came to celebrate with Oba Ogunsanwo as he turned 55.
WHY ILARA INDIGENES LOVE OBA OGUNSANWO
For about 2 years that Oba Folarin Ogunsanwo, the Alara of Ilara Epe has been on the throne, the people of Ilara have enjoyed his reign. Infact he is always celebrated whenever the opportunity arises. One of such was his 55th birthday where many of the indigenes all came out to celebrate with their king. He has brought many development to the town and has also impacted the lives of Ilara people in a big way.
ON 55TH ALARA AT 55
When many guests got their invitation to Oba Folarin Ogunsanwo’s 55th birthday, the Access card simply read, the 55th Alara at 55. This cliché tallied with his date of birth, and what a coincidence that he is the 55th King to rule Ilara and he is now celebrating his 55th birthday.This tall and dashing king of Ilara Epe looked good at 55.He is young at heart and surely knows what fits him. He was decked in a nice navy blue Aso Oke and complimented it with a custom made gold and coral long jewelries. What about his shoes, he also knocked that out with a customized suede shoes. He indeed oozed royalty that he is. He was in a joyous mood as many people came from all walks of life to celebrate with him.Until August 6, 2020, His Royal Majesty, Oba Olufolarin Olukayode Ogunsanwo, Telade IV, Alara of Ilara Kingdom in Lagos State was a public servant having worked in Lagos State where he rose through the ranks to become the executive chairman of Lagos Inland Revenue Service. The mantle of monarchy fell on him when he was called upon to serve his people.
HOW HIS WIFE,
OLORI BOLANLE STOLE THE SHOW
Solidly behind Oba Ogunsanwo is his beautiful Olori, HRH Bolanle Ogunsawo. The pretty woman who is well loved by the women and people of Ilara Epe is a definition of a dutiful wife.She remains the only force behind Oba Ogunsanwo’s wings. The stylish woman who dazzles whenever you see her looked good at her husband’s 55th birthday. She was indeed the host who put everything together. Many A-list celebrity women stormed Epe because of her. She really stole the show at the birthday party. She wore a lovely navy blue Aso Oke, same as her husbands and complimented it with a simple but expensive ivory coral jewelry. She later changed to a beautiful chantilly HOH lace and HOH gele which is sold for about a million naira and pepped it up with an expensive Citrine diamond jewelry. She really looked good. What do you expect from her if not elegance, the pretty Olori is a top fabric merchant who runs a thriving fabric store in Lagos, Fabrique Plus.
OVER 25 MONARCHS STORMED EPE FOR OBA ALARA
Despite that Oba Folarin Ogunsanwo, has been the Oba of Ilara for only 2 years, the caliber of the kings who stormed his birthday was amazing. They were numbered up to 25. They all came to celebrate with a man whose got a large heart. He is one of the prominent kings in the Nigeria Council of Obas Association. He has also been friends with the other monarchs before he became king hence there was huge presence at his birthday. Sighted were Chief Steven Olakunle Bakare, Babalaje of Ijebu land, Oba Barrister Akinola Oyetade, Olukosi of Ifetedo kingdom.Osun state, Oba Abdulrasheed Omotayo Salami , Saderere of Isoyin Ijebu, Otun balogun of Epe kingdom, Wale Mogaji Lateef, Oba MJ Anakoya, High Chief Musiliu Badejo Odofin of Noforija, Prince Abiola Kosoko’, Oloja of Lagos elect, Oba Yinka Ogunleye, Vice Chairman Ikosi Isheri, Olu of Adoyi, Oba Abimbola Adekanbi Aladega, Oba Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle, the Olu of Ilaro kingdom,The Alaketu of Ketu, Oba Isiaka Oyero, Oba Semiu Kasali Emugoriade,
Oba Ade Oriyomi Oyebo, Obateru of Egbe kingdom, Oba Asanya of Isanya, represented Ooni of Ife, Ebumawe of Ago Iwoye,Oba Adenugba and many others.
OONI OF IFE’S BROTHERLY SUPPORT
If you have watched closely, Ooni of Ife and Oba Alara at functions, you will notice there is this bond between the 2 despite the 10 years age difference between them.They are relatively close and they have extended this to their families. They have enjoyed this robust friendship for many years. They are always sitting together at parties and always present at each other’s functions. This show of brotherly love was shown by Ooni of Ife who was not at the event but he sent one of the kings in Ife to represent him.
OONI OF IFE’S NEW OLORI MARIAM STEPPED OUT WITHOUT HUSBAND
It has been few weeks ago that Ooni Of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi took a new Olori, in the person of Mariam Ogunwusi and both of them have stepped out like twice together for an event, but at Oba Alara’s Party, Ooni was absent but his Olori, Mariam stormed Epe to celebrate with the Ofunsanwos. This is about the first event that Olori will attend without her husband, the Ooni of Ife.
BETWEEN OBA ALARA AND OBA IGBOBI SABE
One of the prominent monarchs who stormed the birthday party was Onisabe of Igbobi Sabe, Oba Owolabi Adeniyi, he is clearly one of the debonair monarchs in the Lagos royal circle. His domain covers the metropolitan Yaba, Igbobi and environs. He was looking regal at the Alara’s birthday party and was one of the kings who had some things to say about the celebrant. He revealed how in a way, their friendship and kingship were ordained by God. He also revealed that at many occasions, they always sit together. He also said coincidentally they went to Jerusalem together again and so he believes the celebrant is his brother from the source. He was sighted with his Olori, Mosunmola Adeniyi.
FEMI OTEDOLA’S MUM STILL STRONG AT OVER 90
Many were stunned to see Lady Doja Otedola, the former First Lady of Lagos and mother of foremost billionaire, Femi Otedola at the party. Infact she was one of the early callers at the birthday party. She was wearing the customized Ankara for the party and was seen with her son, 10 dollar. Lady Doja honoured the Ogunsanwos because she has taken them like her children. There is this family bond that exists between the Otedolas and Ogunsanwos.
ERELU DOSUNMU, SHADE BALOGUN AND CO HONOURED OLORI BOLANLE OGUNSANWO
At the party were some society women who honoured Olori Bolanle Ogunsawo at her husband’s 55th birthday. She has some retinue of friends and much older women whom she holds in high esteem hence their presence at the party. On the high table were Erelu Abiola Dosunmu, the Yeye Oodua of the source who looked good in her usual all white attire, what about Barr, Shade Balogun, the Iyalode of Itori Land? She was also seated beside Erelu Dosunmu, she wore a crispy white Handcut designed Aso oke and paired it up with a beautiful set of Italian gold and coral jewelry. Lagos celebrity woman, Bolanle Oduntan also looked ravishingly beautiful in her wine outfit. She is one of the very close friends of Olori Bolanle Ogunsanwo. Sighted at the party was Lagos society woman, Chief Mrs Joko Oni, Olori Mosunmola Adeniyi ,Olori Mariam Ogunwusi and many others. Ogun Deputy governor, H.E Noimot Oyedele, Olori Banke Salami,Olori Fatimah Aladega, Chief Mrs Teju Phillips, Hon Adremi Adebowale, Kenny Saint Best, Lagos women leader, Mrs Jumoke Okoya Thomas and many others.
AREMO SEGUN ONIRU AND FOLLY COKER- 2 JOLLY FRIENDS
Two times former commissioner in Lagos, Aremo Segun Oniru and former Deputy Chief of staff in Lagos, Folly Coker came to the party together. These are super rich big men who make parties tick. They have been together in Lagos government for a long time and their closeness is still intact. They also share a close friendship with Oba Ogunsanwo before he became the Governor. All of them were Alausa Big boys.
CHIEF GBENGA OBASA AND OONI OF IFE’S BROTHER SAT TOGETHER
Sighted at the party were Lagos property merchant, Chief Gbenga Obasa and Ooni of Ife’s brother, Adetunji Ogunwusi. Though they came in at different times but they sat together at the party. They also went to pay homage to Oba Ogunsanwo whom they came to celebrate wth.
IT WAS A WHITE AND BLUE AFFAIR
The dress code simply says blue on white and guests got the assignment so well that everyone dazzled in both colours. There was Gele Ebi which was supplied by the celebrants wife, Olori Bolanle Ogunsanwo who is a fabric merchant.
WHO DID WHAT
At the birthday party were professional event vendors who outdid themselves at the party. First was Nigeria’s number 1 event compere, Gbenga Adeyinka, On the band stand was another popular artist, Laolu Gbenjo.. Luxe Event did decoration with numerous professional caterers and Drinks vendors.
-TAYO OYEDIJI
(08111811219)
