gists from madam JOKO ONI’s 70th birthday

Last Saturday, 28th December, 2023, all roads led to the Balmoral Hall of the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos as ageless and ever gorgeous socialite, entrepreneur and philanthropist, Mrs Jokotade Oni (JP) celebrated her 70th birthday in grand style. It was the mother of all birthday parties, a befitting celebration of a truly outstanding gem who has paid her dues as a respected socialite and business woman. The expansive and beautifully decorated hall of the Balmoral Hall was filled to overwflowing with top dignitaries, captains of industry, respected socialites and distinguished Nigerians from all walks of life who trooped out to honour and celebrate the wonderful woman everyone knew as Goldrush in her early days in business when she was a popular gold merchant and jeweler. Many of her friends also flew in from Canada, UK, USA, Dublin, Dubai and other parts of the world. Also fondly called Dubai Goddess by many, it was no surprise that many came out to celebrate the irrepressible Jokotade Oni because she has also celebrated many people in the last couple of decades. For many of her friends and members of her extended family, this was the perfect pay back time for the one everyone loves to call Aunty Joko.

City People’s Senior Editor, WALE LAWAL (08037209290) was at the ground breaking 70th birthday party to give you a detailed account of all that went down. Enjoy the report.

EVENT KICKED OFF WITH BIRTHDAY SERVICE

The service for Aunty Jokotade Oni’s birthday was conducted by Trinity House led by Senior Pastor Ituah Ighodalo. The programme officially kicked off by 2pm with the celebrant dancing into the hall with her entourage which included her children and grandchildren. The celebrant’s sons were dressed in glittering black suits while the grand sons too were equally dressed in glittering black suits. The beautiful Jokotade was dressed in a green gold embroidered full length kaftan that gave her such a stunning look.

THE SENSATIONAL LAOLU GBENJO ON THE BAND STAND

Everyone was excited when they got to the venue of the event and found out that the musician that would serenade them through out the entire duration of the party was no other than the rave of the moment, Laolu Gbenjo. The gospel/Juju singer wowed everyone with his brand of Alujo music. He and his band ushered in the celebrant, Joko Oni, into the hall and he immediately got everyone on their feet. He absolutely knows how to get a party charged up.

OPENING PRAYER

The opening prayer was said by Pastor Jolomi Guoti of the Trinity House. He committed the entire programme into the hands of the Lord and asked everyone to pray for the celebrant and request for more grace and blessings of the Lord upon her life.

OPENING HYMN BY TRINITY CHOIR

The Trinity choir gave a glimpse of their quality and musical prowess when they took the first rendition of the event with the opening hymn as they sang the very popular hymn, ‘This is my story, This is my song.’ This sert the tone of the ceremony and everyone had an idea of what to expect as the programme progressed.

CELEBRANT’S SON TAKES BIBLE READING

One of Mrs Jokotade’s two sons, the young and easy going Adeniyi Oni, took the bible reading. Camly, the handsome looking dude read through Psalm 91 to the delight of his dear mum who listened as he read the passage with rapt attention.

TRINITY CHOIR SERENADES THE HOUSE

The Trinity Choir took the center stage next. They took the celebrant and entire guests on a powerful voyage of soul lifting gospel songs that got everyone dancing and praising the Lord. The celebrant loved every moment of their ministration as she sang along with them every song they rendered. They obviously had a clear idea of the kinds of songs she liked and they gave them to her one after the other.

PASTOR ITUAH IGHODALO GAVE A BRIEF BUT ENRICHING SERMON

The very eloquent and amiable Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, Lead Pastor of the Trinity House, began by thanking the children of the celebrant, Prince Adefunmilola, Adeniyi and Abisoye for taking great care of their mother and for putting resources together to give such a befitting ceremony. He began his sermon by saying to the celebrant that what he wants to talk about is that she can still live a great life. He referred to the book of Genesis Chapter 12 and how the Lord said to Abraham to leave his father’s house and sojourn to a land that He would show him and make of him a great nation. He prophesied same into the life of the celebrant, that she would become great, even at 70. He also talked about the three things that the celebrant and everyone needs to live a great life. The first is to be under the authority and the direction of God.

He gave an instance of an uncle of his who came crying to his mother decades ago when he was much younger. The man had come crying to the mother that he didn’t know the cult he belonged which made him wealthy and prominent in the society would take his favourite child from him as sacrifice and payment of their good deeds to him. Eventually, after havingsuffered the pain of the loss of his child, the man gave his life to Christ. The second is that people have to get rid of the many terrible things they presently do. People seem to think they can do these things and get away with it, but it does not work that way. Nobody gets away with it.

According to the very brilliant Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, the third thing anyone who wants to be great must do is be ready to break every ancestral yoke that might be against you or in your life, without this, it would be difficult to achieve anything. He concluded his sermon by praying intensely for the celebrant, asking the Lord to elevate her and bless her beyond measure. And with this, the Trinity Choir took the closing hymn and wrapped up the service.

POPULAR COMEDIAN, KOFI, WAS AN IMPRESSIVE ANCHOR

You just have to give it to the comedian, Kofi, he has this aura about him that immediately assures everyone that the party is in capable hands. And it is because he has paid his dues. He is regarded as one of the most efficient anchors in the industry. His talent both as a comedian and actor puts him in good stead. He took firm control of the proceedings and enured that, even when the direction of the programme was not being adhered to, he steered it back on course, sometimes reminding the celebrant there was still a whole lot to do, hence the need to speed things up.

CELEBRANT MAKES ANOTHER GRAND ENTRANCE

After the birthday service had been concluded, Mrs. Jokotade Oni had gone to change into her second clothing to make her second entrance for the party proper. This time, she was clad in a in gold coloured outfit that made her look nothing short of classy and elegant. This time, she didn’t dance in with her grandchildren but with her friends, and there were dozens of them present at the event. They had all trooped out to celebrate one of their own who, over the years, has been there for them in their own moments of celebrations. It must be mentioned that it took a while before the celebrant could finally make her way to the stage because she was literally mobbed by a mammoth crowd of her friends who were all over her to show her love on her special day.

HOW JOKO ONI ROCKED 3 OUTFITS AND EXPENSIVE GOLD FOR HER PARTY

Saying the celebrant, Chief Mrs Joko Oni popularly called Gold Rush is a fashionista is simply stating the obvious because this has shown over the years. The Gold merchant and society matriachs is one of the many society women who create their own style. She is very noticeable with her signature gele anywhere you see her. Many parties are not complete without her. She has rocked the social scene for over 30 years and chunning out different styles as far as fashion is concerned. On her 70th birthday few days back, many had already anticipated what she was going to wear, many women knew it will be exclusive and she never disappointed. She rocked 3 different outfits for her party and complemented it with expensive gold jewelries, shoes and bag. Let us quickly tell you that Chief Mrs Joko Oni has an affiliation with the Arab Country, Dubai, this is where she shops for her exquisite dresses, gold, shoes and bags for over 20 years now. Infact she was used as a major advert on a billboard in Dubai 20 years ago due to the jewelry she rocked at her 50th birthday. For her first look, she wore an expensive green Abaya dress which was fully embroidered and stoned. This was the outfit that she used to usher in her guests. She complemented it with a lovely 18k Gold from Dubai. Few minutes later, she changed to a lovely Gold dress and matched it with a white headgear, you need to see how another of her expensive gold jewelry sat on her neck. Her neck and wrist were practically doing the talking. After few hours, she dazzled in another green colour HOH lace which she used as “Aso Ijo” which means a dance cloth. She wore this  together with a few but important society women who are close to her. Her choice of outfits and Gold jewelleries must have run into millions of naira no doubt because she does not settle for less when it comes to dressing up. She was the cynosure of all eyes as she slayed and dazzled in her exclusive pieces to the admiration of all. Give it to Chief Mrs Joko Oni, she is a living testimony of her profession, Gold selling. No wonder she has been selling Gold to top Nigeria women for over 30 years under the auspice of her gold outfit, Gold Rush.

ELEGANZA BOSS, CHIEF RAZAK OKOYA AND HIS PRETTY WIFE, SADE AND HANDSOME SONS MADE STUNNING ARRIVAL

Foremost industrialist and business mogul, the Chairman of the Eleganza Empire, Chief Razak Okoya, and his lovely wife, Dr. Mrs Sade Okoya plus their two tall and handsome looking sons, got the entire hall looking in their direction when they arrived. Chief Razak Okoya was sporting a white native outfit on a pair of white sneakers while his wife was clad in a green coloured gown that fitted her figure like it was her second skin. Her boys too wore white native outfits that matched with their father’s. They looked so adorable. Watching them as they made their way into the hall through the maize of Paparrazis that ambushed them on their way in, no one was left in doubt of the fact they all make a fantastic family together. As most would expect, Alhaji Razak did not come without his one and only friend, Chief Samuel Adedoyin, the foremost industrialist who owns the prestigious Doyin Industries.

FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS PAY TRIBUTES TO CELEBRANT

Some family members and friends of the celebrant were called to give birthday tributes to their beloved Jokotade Oni. And, expectedly, everyone had lots of positive things to say about the lady of the moment. The likes of Abike Dabiri, Jumoke Oyeneyin, Chief Mrs. Nike Akande, members of her family and her husband’s family, all filed out to give befitting birthday tributes to the Dubai Goddess.

Chief (Mrs) Nike Akande (CON) spoke glowingly about the celebrant. She described Joko Oni as “a great achiever and a woman who has touched many lives in many positive ways. She is 70 today, but what I always say is, its not how old one is, but what achievements, what impact, what influence, she has had on others. Judging by that yeardstyick, you will see by the attendance today that this woman, this great Ibadan lady, has touched many lives. Joko, you are a great woman, a family woman, a great mother, an Icon and I celebrate you. You are very religious and I respect you for that.”

CHIEF (MRS) NIKE AKANDE (CON) SUPERVISED CUTTING OF THE CAKE

The cutting of the gigantic cake was supervised by the ever elegant and ageless Chief (Mrs) Nike Akande (CON). The cake was a tall and massive white cake. Mrs. Nike Akande remarked that she had never seen a cake with such intimidating height. It was a stunning white cake with several steps. Evewryone agreed it was a cake befitting of the celebrant.

NAIRA RAIN FOR CELEBRANT

Once the tributes and cutting of the birthday cake were done with, the next programme on the agenda was the part everyone had been waiting for, which was the celebrant’s dance. This is when all the guests were afforded the opportunity to step on stage and bathe the Dubai Goddess, the one and only Gold Rush with crisp naira notes. And she was not disappointed. There was a very long queue of guests waiting to shower her with money and repay her for all of the beautiful friendships she has shared with them for several decades. One thing everyone attested to about the Iconic Jokotade Oni is the fact she is a vewry dependable friend, an ally you can rely on in times of trouble.

ROLL CALL

There were several distinguished Nigerians in attendance at the party. A few of them were Chief Mrs Nike Akande (CON), Abike Dabiri, Mrs. Jumoke Oyeneyin, ex-Lagos state Deputy Governor, Mr. Femi Pedro, Chief Razak Okoya, Dr. Mrs Sade Okoya, Chief Samuel Adedoyin, Prophet Isreal  Oladele, Dame Abimbola Fashola, Fola Tinubu, Ireti Asemota, Bashorun Dele Momodu, Tai Elemosho, Morayo Afolabi-Brown and several others…