By ‘Dare Odufowokan
Last Wednesday, the ancient town of Iperu-Remo in Ikenne Local Government Area (LGA) of Remo Federal Constituency in Ogun State, paused for hours, soaked in glitz and glamour, as Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, his siblings and the entire Abiodun family hosted the 90th birthday celebration of their jewel of a mother, Chief Mrs. Victoria Olaitan Abiodun, in grand style.
From the hallowed hall of St. James Anglican Church, Iperu, where dignitaries from across the world converged for a commemoration service in celebration of Mama Abiodun’s life of service and devotion, to the streets of Iperu, where the jubilant people of Remoland, across all social and economic divides, celebrated Mama Victoria Olaitan Abiodun’s birthday as a remarkable milestone, and all the way to the grand reception in honour of the celebrant, held within the alluring confines of a tastefully constructed marque on the premises of the Christ Apostolic Grammar School, Iperu-Remo, prayers, joy, music, and heartfelt tributes honouring a deserving matriarch, filled the air.
Truth be told, the 90th birthday events of Governor Dapo Abiodun’s mother were heartwarming celebrations of her life and legacy. Family, friends, and loved ones gathered to rejoice over a life that has touched numerous others for good. The day teed off at the beautiful and historic St. James Anglican Church with stunning stained-glass windows, elegant chandeliers, and a warm, inviting atmosphere. The wooden pews showed as if freshly polished, and the altar is decorated with a special 90th birthday arrangement. All in honour of a devoted and revered member of the congregation, Mama Victoria Olaitan.
Sitting pretty and radiating joy, the ninety-year-old birthday girl , looked around her to see a church hall filled to the brim and pouring out, into the expansive compound and beyond. Her expressions were those of happiness and fulfilment. Adorned beautifully in sparkling white iro and buba, with glittering royal blue gele and ipele, and stable blue shoes to match, mama caught the picture of the day’s special guest of honour.
Behind her and her children with their immediate families, family members, friends, invited guests and church members, all dressed in the eye catching green and orange aso ebi, gather to celebrate this milestone birthday. The congregation sang hymns and songs of praise, accompanied by the church choir. The music – uplifting and celebratory, and the mood was simply joyous. The choir sang, the congregation danced and the celebrant beamed with appreciative smiles at dignitaries from across the country, including a strong delegation from the presidency that had Vice President Kashim Shettima, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Senator George Akume, Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila and others. Their presence showed how important the event is to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Also present were former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the incumbent Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives,Tajudeen Abbas, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde; Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke; Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji; Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma; Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele; Senator Olamilekan Solomon, Senator Tokunbo Abiru, Senator Adams Oshiomhole; former governors Aremo Olusegun Osoba, Olusegun Mimiko, James Ibori, Ibikunle Amosun,Kayode Fayemi, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, Senator Lekan Mustapha, Senator Dave Umahi and numerous other members of the National Assembly.
Corporate Nigeria also poured into Iperu to celebrate Mama Abiodun as business giants like Dr. Deji Adeleke, Sayuu Dantata, Chief Toyin Okeowo, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, Dr. Zacheus Adedeji, Dr. Tunde Lemo, Aig-Imoukhuede Aigboje,
led numerous other giant players to the birthday celebration.
An impressive array of traditional rulers, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi; Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Adewale Ajayi; Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo; Olowu of Owu,Oba Prof Adelola Matemilola, Soun of Ogbomosho, Oba Ghandi Afolabi; Eleposo of Eposo-Remo, Oba Mukaila Olabinjo; Elegushi of Ikate, Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi; Oniru of Iru land, Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan; Olorogun Sunny Kuku, Ogbeni Oja and Adele Awujale of Ijebuland, among scores of other monarchs, regaled the gathering with royalty.
From the host state, the attendance was simply huge. Everybody that matters were joyously present. Engineer Noimot Salako-Oyedele, the deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Chief Judge of the state, Hon. Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Oluwatoyin Taiwo, the Chief of Staff, Mr. Dapo Okubadejo, Chief Economic Adviser and Finance Commissioner, and Chief Yemi Sanusi, Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), led all other state and ruling party functionaries to Iperu.
In his sermon during the church service, the Bishop of Remo Anglican Diocese, Most Reverend Olusina Fape, who described the celebrant as a devoted and committed Christian who had done a lot in the vineyard of God, while speaking on the theme “the grateful heart receives more blessings from God,” urged the celebrant to continue her life of service to God. Reading from Luke chapter 1 verse 46 to 49, he likened Mama Abiodun’s life to that of Holy Mary who gave birth to Jesus as Prince Dapo Abiodun, has raised the name of the family as the performing governor of Ogun State.
The clergyman used the opportunity to eulogized Governor Abiodun for the massive infrastructural development in the state, adding that the construction of the Gateway International Airport at Iperu-Remo, is a big relief, not just for Ogun state but the entire southwest geo-political zone.
President Bola Tinubu, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, described Mama Abiodun as an educator who spent the greater part of her life contributing immensely to Nation building by molding and mentoring the younger generations. Tinubu added that: “Governor Dapo Abiodun has continued to promote the name of the family in the country through his support for the enthronement of good governance in the country.”
In a brief remark during the service, Governor Abiodun said the celebrant, who through her hard work, faith in God, resilience, and a life of selflessness, played crucial roles in the life of all her children, is an embodiment of success. The Ogun helmsman added that his mother’s lifestyle helped her children to be successful in life and thanked God for sparing mama’s life till 90 years in good health and sound mind.
And as the guests left the church for the venue of the reception, they were greeted all the way by a town in festive mood. The town is electric with excitement, with a palpable sense of community and togetherness. Visitors become friends as they share in the festive cheer, and the town’s usual hustle and bustle is replaced with a sense of relaxed enjoyment. In this festive mood, the town comes alive, and its residents are united in the joy and beauty of coming together to celebrate one of their jewels.
Inside the venue of the reception, class and splendour oozed all around the gold coloured marque. Nobody was left in doubt that Mama Victoria Olaitan Abiodun’s 90th birthday celebration is a festival. The different styles into which the green aso ebi has been sown brought an endless stream of fashion as if on a runway. Seamlessly, wine and food flowed. Sweet music blared and excitedly, guests twisted and turned in response – some on their feet, others on their seats. But none was left out of the magical moments.
Across the length and breadth of the massive marquee, the high and mighty mixed freely, happily too with themselves and with others. Old bonds were renewed and new friendships formed. Goodwill messages poured, comedians cracked jokes and musicians sang their hearts out. By the time music legend, King Sunny Ade (KSA), who earlier added glamour and rhythm to the event with a soulful rendition of a birthday song, took full control of the stage with his energetic band members and evergreen tunes, the hall practically exploded.
KSA’s electrifying performance kept guests dancing and celebrating Mama Victoria’s life of grace, devotion, and impact all evening long. Not even Comedians Gbenga Adeyinka and Tee A, who both served as the Compere of the event, could resist the lures of the Kings sonorous voice. Like everyone else, Governors, Kings, Senators, Business moguls, etc, they danced happily. It was indeed a festivity that would be remembered for a long time to come.
*Odufowokan is the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Public Communications to the Governor
