EKO NEWS

Lady Doja Otedola At 90: The Day Epe Stood Still To Host Nigeria

Published

3 years ago

Apr 11, 2022.

Damilare Abass

By Babatunde Kaka

EDITOR’S PICK:

Charity begins at home, says an age-long adage. This was indeed the picturesque painted on the occasion of the 90th birth anniversary of Lady Doja Otedola, as the elite gentry of Epe Division turned out in their droves to honour the former Lagos State First Lady.

At every U-turn of the long stretch of the iconic civil engineering edifice of a network of roads that heralds the beautiful landscape to and from the entrance and exit points of ancient Epe town, a beautifully designed purple and white-coloured signpost captioned “90,” could easily signal to the August visitors, commuters and residents that something big and spectacular was going down on that memorable day.

The immense contributions and support of the Epe Division towards celebrating the everlasting legacies of the celebrant is succinctly captured in the popular Yoruba saying, “Oun a’ni la’n gbe laruge.”

In a prelude that was symbolic of the good life led by the respected celebrant, Chairman of Eredo LCDA, Hon Ismail Aimasiko had organised a road walk tagged “walk for a good life” two days to the big day.

Lady Otedola, who was enthralled by the deluge of love and support described the walk as the best birthday gift ever. It was a gift that was wrapped in the eminent personalities of the likes of Oba Babatunde Ogunlaja JP, the Aladeshonyin and Paramount Ruler of the Odo Noforija Kingdom and his Chiefs, Associate Professor Nosiru Olajide Onibon, Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor of LASUED and his Management Team and a host of others who turned up for the first of its kind road walk.

Others are Hon Oluwaseun Ogunkelu, Lagos State House of Assembly Member Epe Constituency II, Hon Segun Olulade, former Lagos State House of Assembly Member Epe Constituency II, Hon Wale Raji Anomo, Ikosi/Ejinrin LCDA Chairman, Mrs Stella Odufisan, retired Apex nurse, Osifeko Mark Olaniyi, an Agro-based businessman, Waris Odeyemi, a civil engineer and businessman among others.

Of course, the Otedolas, whose name never fails to attract the top brass of the society did not disappoint, as high profile names from all walks of life, including Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote stormed Epe to add colour to a day that indeed promised much resplendence.

Sliver by sliver, the beautiful and serene Odo-Iragunshin community in Eredo LCDA of Epe Division came alive on Sunday 3rd April 2022, as an array of luxurious cars and SUVs accentuated the network of roads along the venue of the thanksgiving service which was held at St. Peter’s Catholic Church Ibonwon, with a reception which took place at St Patrick’s Grammar School, Eredo.

Thanks to the virality of today’s social media age, it did not take long for pictures of esteemed guests who were at the ceremony to, in accustomed parlance, “go viral,” giving the whole world a sneak-peak of the beauty entrenched in the ancestral home of one of Nigeria’s most respected families.

Further complementing these viral clips and footages was the moment Mr Dangote and respected journalist, Dele Momodu paid homage to Lady Otedola at her Epe residence.

Indeed, it was momentary descent of the galaxies, epitomised by the star-studded grill of names cut across all facets of politics and society.

Notable among this galaxy were; former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Ooni of Ife, His Royal Eminence, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, HRM Oba Saheed Elegushi, Vice-President Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Lagos State Governor, His Excellency Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his wife, Ogun State Governor, His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, the heir to the Jagaban Borgu and media guru, Seyi Tinubu.

Former Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki and wife, Akinwunmi Adeshina, Africa Development Bank (AfDB) President, Chief Segun Osoba and Otunba Gbenga Daniel, former Ogun State Governors, Mr Tony Elumelu, UBA Chairman, Access Bank and First Bank Chairmen, were also some of high pedigree names who graced the occasion.

No doubt, it would have been a travesty for the elite gentry of Epe Division to have taken the back seat on such a significant day; and they didn’t

The likes of Hon Wale Raji, Epe Federal Constituency representative at the House of Representatives, Oba Babatunde Ogunlaja JP (FmBe), the Aladeshonyin and Paramount Ruler of Odo-Noforija Kingdom, Oba Olufolarin Ogunsanwo, the Alara of Ilara Kingdom, Olori Aribike Adewale, the Olori Olu-Epe of Epe Kingdom, SA Civic Engagement, Princess Aderemi Adebowale, former Lagos House o Assembly Member Epe Constituency II, Hon Segun Olulade, Former Lekki Freezone GMD, Mr Popoola Jaiyesinmi, former Lagos State Building Materials Testing Lab Director, Hon Muyiwa Okesanya among several others also turned out in elegant fashion to add spice to the grand ceremony.

Further adding spice to the ambience were musical performances from the legendary King Sunny Ade, who in characteristic fashion rolled back the years while the granddaughter of the celebrant popularly known as DJ Cuppy thrilled the audience with performances of “sweet mother” as well as her hit single “Gelato.”

Beyond the conviviality of the ceremony, one key significance to the importance of Lady Otedola’s landmark celebration is aptly captured by a Facebook post by the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

“A humanitarian who even after her service to Lagos State, continued to serve the good people of Epe and indeed Lagos State,” the post read.

FURTHER READING:

Albeit short, the message is loud and clear, and Mama’s devotion to serving her community is an inspiration that must not be glossed over by the glitz and glam out of the festivity.

While we appreciate the presence of the celebrities and the powerful display of affluence during the epochal event, it is also important to highlight the uncommon exhibition of love, togetherness, warmth and intimacy by Epe Division during the momentous occasion.

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