The sleepy town of Ilupeju Ekiti in the Oye Local Government area of Ekiti State came alive on the 30th of December as the Akogun of Ilupeju Ekiti, Stephen Abiodun Ojo (SAO) celebrated his diamond jubilee in style. Akogun Stephen Abiodun Ojo who also doubles as the Gbobaniyi of Itapa Ekiti is the Group Executive Director (Finance) of Energy Group of Companies. The 60th birthday celebration kicked off with a birthday thanksgiving service held at St. John’s Catholic Church, Ilupeju Ekiti while reception took place at his Ilupeju Ekiti residence. City People’s SALISU NURUDEEN and ADEOLA SHITTU bring you the gist.
BIRTHDAY THANKSGIVING SERVICE
The birthday thanksgiving service in honour of Akogun Stephen Abiodun Ojo was held at St. John’s Catholic Church, Ilupeju Ekiti, Ekiti State. The 3 hours service was attended by personalities, families and friends of the celebrant from all walks of life. Rev’d father Fidelis Olusola Adeleye delivered Homily as he described the celebrant as a man after God’s heart. Other officiating ministers are Rev’d Fr Oluwole Ogunoye, and Rev’d Father Edward Oladele among others were present. Evang. B. A Ogunmoroti took the first reading in the book of 1st Kings 8 vs 55-61 and Evang. A. I. Olokan took the second reading from the book of 1 Corinthians 1 vs 3-9.
ABOUT THE RECEPTION
After the Church Thanksgiving Service at St. John’s Catholic Church, Ilupeju Ekiti, Ekiti State, the celebrant hosted his friends at his Ilupeju Ekiti mansion as the event decorator, Chigoose Décor transformed the open field into a mini event hall that housed well over 400 guests.
OLOYE ESAN OGUNLEYE CHAIRED THE EVENT
The former Chairman of Omiye Micro Finance Bank, Ilupeju Ekiti and Chairman of OGB Assets Mgt Co. Lagos, Oloye Esan Ogunleye was the chairman of the day. He described Akogun Stephen Abiodun Ojo as a man of vision, and integrity. He recalled how Otunba Stephen advised him to go into hotel business and how he built his apartment with the help of Akogun.
ROYAL FATHERS HONOURED HIM
Not less than 7 Ekiti traditional rulers came to celebrate with Akogun Stephen Abiodun Ojo (SAO), the Owatapa of Itapa Ekiti, Oba Dr. David Makanjuola Ajaja Ph.D led other monarchs to the event. The likes of The Onire of Ire-Ekiti, Oba Victor Bobade, The Olomuo of Omuo Ekiti, Oba Adejuwon Omonigbehin, Okinbaloye II, while Regent Mojisade Oniyelu, the Apeju of Ilupeju and Oba Sunday Awe, the Obanla of Ilupeju Ekiti was the host. Also Olori of late Apeju of Ilupeju Ekiti, Oba Emmanuel Olaleye Oniyelu II was there, among other traditional rulers.
BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE BY FRIENDS
The birthday tribute was done by many of the celebrant’s friends, who grew up with him and some students Otunba Stephen Abiodun Ojo put on scholarship.
BRIEF ABOUT THE CELEBRANT
Otunba Stephen Abiodun Ojo was born in Ilupeju Ekiti on 30th of December, 1962. He attended St John’s Catholic Primary School, and Obalatan Commercial Grammar School, both in Ilupeju Ekiti for his primary and Secondary School education. He also went to Oyo State College of Arts and Science for his Higher School Certificate.
He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.
He is a Fellow of the following institutes: • Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA) • Institute of Management Consultants (FIMC) • Institute of Credit Administration, FICA • Chartered Institute of Administration (FCIA);
Otunba Ojo is also an associate member of the following institutes: • Institute of Directors; • Nigeria Institute of Taxation; • Nigeria Institute of Management as well as • Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria.
Presently, he is the Group Executive Director, (Finance), Energy Group of Companies, a conglomerate that comprises Insurance, Reinsurance, Banking, Oil &Gas, Hotels and properties companies.
As an experienced business/financial executive, he previously worked at Mobolaji Oluwa & Co (Chartered Accountants) as Audit Manager, the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO) as the Chief Finance Officer, Stephen Abiodun Ojo & Co. (Chartered Accountants), as Managing Partner, Great Nigeria Insurance Plc, as Executive Director, Finance & Administration, NICON Insurance Limited as Chief Finance Officer, and as an Executive Director, Finance & Administration and at Air Nigeria Limited, as Executive Director, (Finance).
Otunba Stephen is presently a board member of the following companies: • NICON Insurance Limited • Nigeria-Reinsurance Corporation • NICON Asset Management Company (NAMCO) • NICON Trustee Ltd • Omiye Microfinance Bank, Ilupeju-Ekiti • Dam Oil Ltd and Trendy Hotels Ltd.
He was a former board member of Great Nigeria Insurance Plc; Air Nigeria Limited and Ilupeju Ekiti Community Bank Limited and Nigeria Electricity Supply Corporation Ltd.
He had attended many Local and International trainings and conferences in the course of his working carriers such as:
• World Conference of Accountants in Paris, 1997, Hong Kong 2002, Istanbul, Turkey 2006 and in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 2010.
• Airlines Financial Management Conference organised by IATA in New York, USA in 1996 and 1998.
• AML/CFT Compliance Training for Directors of Nigerian Reinsurance Corporation on “The duties and responsibilities of the Board on AML/CFT Risk Management and the effect of non-compliance” in Lagos on June 24th, 2022 • Training for Directors of Microfinance Banks under the auspices of Central Bank of Nigeria on AML/CFT Compliance Training for Directors of Microfinance Banks in Nigeria. 16th -17th August,2022 • Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, ICAN 52nd Annual Accountants Conference in Abuja, 10th- 14th October, 2022 • 2022 National Corporate Governance Summit in Lagos, November, 7th- 8th, 2022 • 2022 Annual Directors Conference in Lagos, November, 24th- 25th, 2022.
He holds the following chieftaincy tittles: • Babalaje of Catholic Church of Ilupeju- Ekiti • Otunba Atayese of Ijelu Ekiti • Mayegun of Ipole- Iloro Ekiti of Akure Kingdom • Asiwaju of Akute Kingdom, Ogun-State.
On social side, he is a member of the following clubs: • Klassiq Klub of Ilupeju Ekiti • Island Club of Lagos • Lagos Lawn Tennis Club of Lagos • Lagos State Civil Service Club, Lagos • Sports Club, Ilesa, Osun State • Association of Friends Club, ( ASSO) Lagos.
MEET THE CELEBRANT’S CHILDREN
Akogun Stephen Abiodun Ojo, the Gbobaniyi of Itapa Ekiti is indeed a father in a million who does not joke with his children. Despite being a socialite, he shares a great bond with his children and hardly will anyone identify who is his biological children from his adopted children because he treats them equally without discrimination. They are Mrs Damilola Ojo- Ariyibi, Mrs Bukola Ojo- Ajiroba, Olawale Ojo, Wuraola Ojo and Yinka Ojo. They are all doing fine in their chosen careers.
YEYE AKOGUN, YEMISI OJO WAS A PERFECT HOST
Give it to the assistant birthday girl, Yeye Akogun Yemisi Ojo, was indeed a perfect host as she ensured everything went the way it should be and their guests were well catered for. She has been married to her husband for 30 years now.
YEMKEM’S BOSS, DR AKINTUNDE CAME
The Chairman, Yem-Kem International and Pathfinder Hotel & Holiday INN, Prince Dr Akintunde Ishola Ayeni was one of the personalities who came to honour his friend and his product ambassador, Akogun Stephen Abiodun Ojo as he celebrated his milestone age.
PRINCE OLAJIDE BABALOLA AND HIS PRETTY WIFE CAME
Prince Olajide Babalola an academician and Shipping Tycoon is the Chairman of Grenville Schools, Lagos, and an illustrious son of Ilupeju. He was at the event with his pretty Mrs Bolatito Babalola as they honoured Akogun on his birthday. His friendship with Akogun is over 40 years as they both attended the same secondary school.
ENGR. TOLA GBUYIRO ALSO CAME
The Chairman of Gooslink Engineering Limited, Engr. Tola Gbuyiro also honoured his friend, Akogun Stephen Ojo as he celebrated his 60th birthday in grand style.
SDP DEPUTY GOVERNORSHIP CANDIDATE, LABI OWOLABI
STOOD BY HIS FRIEND
The Deputy Governorship candidate of SDP in the 2022 Ekiti governorship election, His Excellency, Otunba Labi Owolabi, the Chairman/CEO of Universal Assurance Consult Brokers Limited stood by his friend and ally for many years. He wore the same matching outfit as the celebrant and he gave his friend all the support needed in ensuring the celebration was a success.
HON. SEYI AYELESO WAS NOT LEFT OUT
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Ekiti Fountain Holdings Limited, Hon. Seyi Ayeleso a.k.a Oska was also the celebrant’s classmate at Obalatan Secondary School, Ilupeju Ekiti and they are also neighbours, their friendship is over 40 years. He came with his wife and daughter to honour Akogun Stephen Abiodun Ojo.
ILUPEJU DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION ALL FLEW IN
The party gist will not be complete without mentioning the presence of the Ilupeju Development Association (IDA) which the celebrant is an active member and former Executive Officer of IDA. Dr. Femi Babalola, president of IDA led other members to Ilupeju as they all flew in from different states to celebrate and honour Akogun Stephen Abiodun Ojo as he celebrated his 60s birthday in grand style. In attendance were Chief Arch. Dipo Ajayi, the Asiwaju of Ilupeju Ekiti, Prince Olajide Babalola, Chief Samuel Esan Ogunleye Chairman Omiye Microfinance bank, Mr. Gbenga Adegun MD/CEO Omiye Microfinance Bank, Mr Leye Ajayi, Hon Seyi Ayeleso among others.
WHO DID WHAT
The reception venue was transformed by Chigoose Décor While Mrs Adeola Faromika the CEO of Adeos Delight Catering Service took charge of the catering and the confectionary foods, asun, and cocktails. Ekiti’s famous and indigenous broadcaster, Mr. Olusola Oladele a.k.a Pa Arisco, Chief Akinlade Ojo a.k.a Erugale and Kehinde Ojo anchor the event.
HOW SIR MIKI THRILLED EVERYONE
It was indeed a celebrated diamond jubilee celebration for Akogun Stephen Ojo, the Gbobaniyi of Itapa Ekiti as melody musician, Michael Akinbowale of Sir Miki and his band thrilled the guests with his melodious songs.
ROLL CALL
Dignitaries present are Alhaji Lateef Gidado, Mr Femi Agbeyo, Princess Bukola Adeyemi, Pastor & Mrs Rotimmi Ojaomo, Alagba Akinola Aregbesola, Prof .Tony Babatunde, Mr Adefolaju Adepoju, Chief Tokunbo Babalola, K among others.
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