On
Sunday 4th April 2021, a big birthday party shook Lagos to its very foundation,
as top celebrities from all walks of life gathered at The Campbell Centre, 63
Campbell Street Lagos Island, opposite Lagos Island Maternity Hospital. It was
the party to be that Sunday as a lot of celebrities stormed the party which
took off at exactly 3.45 pm.
A
lot of London celebrity ladies and big boys flew into Lagos for the party.
It
was the 76th Birthday party of Mrs Rebecca Adefolayemi Johnson Olafioye.
The
Birthday had been postponed since 2020 due to Covid19 lockdown/curfew in Lagos
State. With a new date fixed a lot of celebrity ladies prepared for it and
bought Aso ebi. That was why it was well attended by celebrities from home and
abroad.
The
Party wasn't only a well-attended one but was also colourful and glamorous with
different Aso-Ebi, ranging from Sequence to Voile lace in Wine and Gold colour
code with chocolate brown headgear (Gele)
How
did the celebrant look? She looked heavenly. Mrs Rebecca Adefolayemi Johnson
Olafioye appeared many years younger than her age. She looked like a sweet 16
in her lovely dinner/peach Bridal gown for the Church service, with peach
fascinator hat and a lovely wine dinner gown at the reception. She later
changed into a native attire, a glaring evidence that she is not only a
successful woman, but a successful home maker.
A
devout Christian, she ensured that before anything else, God took centre stage
as the celebration kicked off with a church Thanksgiving service at the First
Baptist church,24a Broad Street, Lagos where family and friends from different
parts of the world gathered to thank God for her life.
CHURCH THANKSGIVING SERVICE
Mrs
Rebecca Adefolayemi Johnson Olafioye arrived the church venue at exactly 11.25
am in a white stretch Limousine with a bold Happy Birthday boldly written on
the Limo.
She
stepped out like a Queen, which she is and cat walked on the red carpet with
her lovely peach dinner/bridal gown and peach fascinator hat towards the church
entrance.
The
order of Church Thanksgiving was done in line with the usual doctrines of the
First Baptist church, while melodious hymn were rendered by the church choir.
Many
people testified to her wonderful attributes which were worthy of emulation and
prayed for her continued success.
Her
children rendered a special hymn in 1st Baptist hymn book YHB 588 to their
mother that also gladdened the hearts of the congregation.
Rev.
Dr. Sunday Aramide Fagbemi, the Pastor of the church gave a short message which
he titled GOOD MOTHER IN THE HAND OF GLORIOUS GOD and his text is taking from
the book of Psalms 71 verse 5. The Pastor said, mama is a lover of God, she is
Christ like, she is an example of a child of God.
He
said, the glorious God renew the strength in the life of a good mother.
The
glorious God bring out the good in a good mother.
It
wouldn't have been good and glorious in the life of Mama if not for God.
He
encouraged Mama to keep on relaying on God as God cannot disappoint her.
He
prayed for mama and her family and everyone present. There was General Thanksgiving
after the sermon and after the church service, guests made their way to The
Campbell Event Centre, Obalende for a grand reception. The venue is a
relatively new event centre set up about 3 years ago. It has about 4 floors of
parking and the 5th floor is where you have the hall that can conveniently sit
800 guests. The organisers obeyed all the Lagos state COVID-19 protocols.
RECEPTION
From
the entrance to the interior of the hall everything was magnificent. Life size
portraits of the beautiful 76 year old celebrant were spotted at strategic
corners of the venue.
Everywhere
was sparkling with a touch of crystal gold.
The
glass chandeliers, the accessories on the chairs and tables were all
beautifully laid out by Goldit Event Planner. The beautiful CEO of the event
planning company did a brilliant job. She planned the event so well that guests
gave her kudos. She was on ground to make sure everyone was ok.
It
was a thorough display of finesse expected of a pretty and elegant event
planner of her class.
Guests
in resplendent and exquisite outfits occupied almost all the seat. The venue
was filled with family members, and friends of the celebrant and her children, which
is evidence of the love and respect that the Olafioye's children command.
THE MASTER OF CEREMONY
Dr. Tunji Sotimirin, a creative artist and lecturer at the Dept of Creative Arts UNILAG anchored the party.He made the party lively with his jokes.Don't forget he is also a comedian. He wore his trademark Fila gogoro.
MUSIC WAS BY BOYE BEST
Popular highlife Juju band, Adeyinka Adeboye (Boye Best) was on bandstand. He thrilled the guests with his classical highlife Juju music while the party lasted.
It
was indeed a fun filled evening as Naira and dollar notes rained like they were
going out of circulation, apart from the sumptuous meals and all kinds of
drinks.
The
party was top notch as dignitaries, political elites, and more were spotted
everywhere.
They
include: Biggest Nigerian Blogger in U.K Tolulope Adeoye,popularly known as
Abike Jagaban.She looked so beautiful .She sat quietly on her table and was
busy with her phone,most of the town.She is now a titled Chief.She has just
bagged another new chieftaincy title.
Honourable
Funmilayo, Apapa Igamu Local government chairman was there .There was a huge
presence of U.K and America Big Babes. There are others like Iya Ojo Yalateef
Ijora,
Alhaja
Gold 60 by 120, Iya Aja Shade, Chief Mrs Oyekanmi iya Oja Elediye (Worldwide
Lagos State), Saheed Alamola, Abike Shamtao, Bola Alausa, Abi Salami, Hon.Funmilayo
Akande Mohammed, Folashade Quam, Olori Mudrakat Macaulay, Adufe Obaloluwa, Alhaja
Omoshalewa V.P, Alhaja Easy, J.P Iya Totaole Taiwo, Adufe Obalowa, Olori
Mudrakat, Macaulay Layinde, Iya Maria, Tola Yosimania Suliat,Members of Royal
Mothers Club, Tosy Titi, Sade Adeleye, Taiwo Adebayo, Bobby, Gbemi Adebayo, Atoloye
Aderisola Yeye Oge, Oguns Funke, Alhaja Turrey (Global Services wine from
Lagos, Olayinka Onimole, Rich Bee, Mato of London (Okhirisa), Segun of London, Mrs
Wakilat Ladejobi Akerele, Mrs Mojisola Shokunbi Mama Sayo, Dorcas Aderibigbe, Bose
Oladipo, Damilola Oladipo, Olori Moibat Obanikoro, Risikat Oduha Alimi, Comfort
Johnson, Mrs Adekoya, Jumoke Oderinde, Lade Roberts, Linda, Biodun Segilola, Yetunde
Martins, Temidayo Adeyemi, Olawunmi Adetura, Ayo Oshodi, Kehinde Williams, Taiwo
Keshinro,
CITY PEOPLE MAGAZINE CHARGE
The
Citypeople Magazine crew came in full force to cover the party .Citypeople
Publisher Dr. Seye Kehinde led his team of society reporters made up of
Titilope Oshulalu,Nurudeen Akorede and Femi Adeleke were on their feet all
through the party to be able to bring
you exclusive details of what went down at the party.
THE DJ WAS GOOD
Immediately
the DJ played Comfort Omogee's CD Olorun mi, iwo ni ma sin titi aiye mi, amin
o) meaning, my God, it is you I will serve till eternity Amen, the celebrant
stood up to dance.
SO MAMA CAN DANCE
Biripo
cultural group all the way from Ikale Local Government, Okitipupa in Ondo State
took the dancing floor as Mrs Rebecca showed us her dancing steps while she
dance to Biripo song.
MAMA SPOKE TO CITYPEOPLE
CITY
PEOPLE had a chat with the celebrant, Mrs Rebecca Adefolayemi Johnson Olafioye.
How
do you feel today?
I feel good and well
You
are 76, but you look 16. What is the secret?
No secret, I love to look good right from my youth, is now I don’t fast again, because i reduce my fast from 6 to 6 about 2 years ago to 12pm now, reason is, I don’t know how to visit an herbalist or Alfa, so, I love God and I go to church, assuming you were in the church today,
you
will hear what the Pastor said about me. That Pastor is just 15 years in my
church. He was referring to what all the past Pastors have told him about me, I
love God and I believe only God can do what no man can do. I love to work, I am
hardworking, I am not lazy and I hate dirt, I love to appear neat, even when I
have 2 clothes, I want to look good in the 2 clothes each time I come out.
When
I was selling food opposite City Hall, I sold yam and beans. When people come
to me for food and say they don’t have money to pay, I give them food to eat.
My
children went to Holy Cross School, during break time, they come home with
their friends to eat and I will give all of them food to eat.
When
I travelled to London to see my eldest daughter, someone walked up to me and
said Mama Onisu ati Ewa (meaning Mama that sells yam and beans)The person said,
we used to come to your shop back then in Nigeria. We will eat and run away
without paying for the food we ate. The man gave me a lot of money that very
day. It is good to be good, it is not by my power, nor by my might, but, it is
the grace of God.
It is good to be good. God will teach us all to know how to be good.
If
you check one of the pictures on the portraits by the high table inside this
hall, the one I was wearing a band on my head, was when I was 15 years. I took
the picture beside the swimming park in Museum Centre.
As
a grandmother and great-grandmother, what advice do you have for females or mothers?
My advice to females and Mothers is for them to be tolerant. If you are dating a man or married to a man, commit the man unto the hands of the Lord in prayers. Don’t go into prostitution because of money. Be patient, if you think the man is not the right man for you as a young girl, leave him and move on, don’t smell what you cannot eat and you a house wife, don’t go into adultery because of money. Be patient. Seek the face of God. Believe in God and He will answer all your secret prayers.
MAMA SHOWS APPRECIATION
I appreciate the media and everyone one present here today, I want the media to specially thank my children, OLUFUNMILAYO, OLATUNBOSUN,
OMOBOLANLE,
OMONIKE, OLUWAMUYIWA and my last born IBITOYE.I pray God will take them back
safely to their destinations IJN.
And
also I want to say thank you to Almighty God for sparing my life till today, over
my family, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Father I am
thankful.
CUTTING OF THE
CAKE
The celebrant turned out looking good in her blue and white native attire as the MC anchored the cutting of the birthday cake with her children, friends and family.
GIFT PRESENTATION
There was presentation of gifts from the celebrant children and friends.
MAMA'S STORY REVEALED UNEDITED!!!!
Let’s tell you about the story of Mama Olafioye. She was born 76 years ago in 1944 on June 10 to be precise, at Ilutuntun, Ikale Local Government, Okitipupa in Ondo State, to late Papa Amos Oloja and late Mama Bosede Amos (Nee Arogun)
She
attended Primary School at St Paul School Kajola Okitipupa Local Government
Ondo State.
In
1956, she attended sewing school "Thompson House" at Igbosere, Lagos
Island under the proprietress Mrs Thompson.
After
the completion of sewing, she proceeded to work with Mrs Pearce at Odunfa
Street Lagos.
In
1965 after she was employed as a Nursing Assistant with the Italian Boss at
Federal Palace Hotel to look after their children.
She
was part of the crowd that welcomed the Queen of England. Queen Elizabeth the
II to Nigeria during Independent in 1960 at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos
Nigeria.
In
the late 60s she met her late heartthrob, Late Chief Johnson Wemimo Olafioye
through her late aunty Olamijo who was also married to a friend of her late Mrs
Olafioye then had 6 Children(3 female and 3 male) in the person of MRS FUNMI
ASHABI OYEKOLA,
MR
AMOS OLATUNBOSUN OLAFIOYE JOHNSON, MRS MARIAM OMOBOLANLE JIMBA, MRS ELIZABETH
OMONIKE OLA -IBRAHIM, MR STEPHEN OLUWAMUYIWA OLAFIOYE JOHNSON and the last born
MR EMMANUEL IBITOYE OLAFIOYE - JOHNSON.
She
is blessed with 19 Grand Children and 3 Great grandchildren.
Mama
Olafioye is a loving, and a very hardworking mother. She is a successful
business woman. She embarked on so many businesses in Lagos and last popular
one was selling of food at Igbosere Lagos (IYA FUNMI ONISU ATI EWA) opposite
City Hall, on Lagos Island where she fed thousands of people who benefited from
her good gesture and by given food to the less privileged.
She
retired from food selling business after the demise of her husband, and later
had a petty trade which she completely retired from in September 2019.
She
is a Jerusalem Pilgrim (JP) and she has visited various countries in Europe.
She
is greatly loved by her children and everyone around her.
0 Comments