Adeline Hall, Lead City University, Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State welcomed to its bowel eminent and distinguished Nigerians from all walks of life all over the world who graced the wedding ceremony between Adedayo Olusoga and Toluwanimi Ojo-Lanre on Saturday 13 November 2021.
The glamorous event has been described as one of the best in Nigeria, going by the personalities involved, the packaging, organisation and attendance.
The couple are products of two great families, the Ojo-Lanre family of Usi Ekiti, and the Olusoga family of Ijebu Igbo.
The parents of the bride are based in Ibadan as the father of the bride is an accomplished and outstanding journalist with the Nigerian Tribune, a former Chairman of the Oti State Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, and Senior Special Assistant, SSA on Tourism Development to Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi; while the mother of the groom, Alhaja Monsurat, is a successful sugar merchant in Bodija market, Ibadan.
Adeline Hall ,the venue was decorated and beautified by a master in the art of adding glamour to event venues – The House of Dexterity, while Temabod Catering Service owned by Temidayo Aboderni, handled the culinary aspect.
On the bandstand was David Ayinde, a powerful musician who delivered sonorous songs wholesale in the genre of Africa music while Tayo Conga band thrilled the guest to a wonderful performance.
It was a day affair with former Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Prof Modupe Adelabu, who was the special guest at the introduction and engagement ceremony, with the Oyo State Commissioner fro Information, Arts, Culture and Tourism, Hon Wasiu Olatunbosun.
Though the reception started a little late, due to the horrific traffic which held Lagos – Ibadan expressway hostage, this did not deter the guests from storming the venue.
The Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunsusi, Ojaja II, was ably represented by His Royal Highness, the Agbolu of Agbaje-Ile-Ife, Oba Adekunle Adebowale, accompanied by his Ilori, at the Adeline Hall, for the introduction, engagement and church service, also accompanied by the Alakola of Akola Ijesha and the Maiyegun of Akola.
These traditional rulers were joined by the Onigbaye of Igbaye, His Royal Highness, Oba Morounfoye Okunola.
Other eminent personalities who grace the talk of the town wedding include Prof Akin Alao, OAU, Ile-Ife; Prof Tunde Omojola, UI; former Assistant Insoector-Genetal of Police, AIG Tunji Alapini; President of Brail Construction Company, Engineer Tunde Lawal; founder, Euro Lounge and Suites, Adekunle Busari; CEO, Infogem, Otunba Ayo Olumoko; Special Adviser to Governor Fayemi, Hon Gbenga Agbeyo; member Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon Babatunde Fawekun; Prince Niyi Babade, CNN; Public Relations Manager, Oodua conglomerate, Victor Ayeomotoro; Mr Wasiu Abiola, NBL; Hon Diran Odeyemi; Dr Sola Ojo, Tetfund; CEO, Smoke Constructions, Yinka Amole; CEO, Araromi Farms, Gboyega Oluwasanmi; Iyaloja of Adelabu market, Chief Mrs Bunmi Adesanya; CEO, Special Tours, Duchess Funmi Rotiba; Barrister Tunde Adeoye; Editor, Tribune on Saturday, Lasisi Olagunju; Chief Consultant, ANN Plc, Pastor Segun Olatunji; Canada-based Nigerian global actress, Olori Adefunmilayo Adenekan; Prince Shina Hastrup; Chief Mrs Gbenga Babalola; Adedayo Ojewale; Barrister Dipo Kupoluyi; Chief Sesan Abeleje; Alloy Production; De – link Club, Usi-Ekiti.
Oyo State NUJ delegation was led by its chairman, Ademola Babalola; while others who graced the wedding were: Chairperson, Delta State Tourism Board, Fidelia Salami; CEO Travel Week, Efetobo Ahwanha; President, Travelogue, Ayo Omotoso; South West NTDC delegation, led by Dayo Aiyetan; spokesman to former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Wole Oladimeji; former Deputy Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Adetunji Orisalade; former Commissioner of Finance, Ekiti State, Hon Bayo Aina; Moyo Aina; Susan Aina; Pitan Aina; Tunde Dada; Tunde Aina.
Other dignatries include former governor of Ondo State, Dr Rahman Olusegun Mimiko, who fought the terrible traffic rage on Lagos – Ibadan Expressway;
Senator Teslim Kola Folarin; Senator Fatai Buhari; former commissioner and governorship aspirant on the PDP platform, Otunba Bisi Kolawole; and an APC gubernatorial aspirant, Otunba Popoola; the Iya Oge of Kogi State.
The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams,who came in company of his Osi, Ganiyu Kayode Balogun and 24 eminent Nigerians.
The Iyalaje Oodua, Princess Dr Toyin Kolade, was also in attendance with 50 selected market leaders from Yorubaland to identify with the couple; with the Iyalaje’s arrival causing a stir as market women and merchants in the hall rose in loud applause to recognise her presence.
Former governor of Ekiti State, HE Segun Oni, sent a powerful delegation led by Hon Yemi Arokodare.
Alhaja Olusoga, mother of the groom who is a big-time player in the sugar market in Bodija market, Ibadan also pulled her friends in high places, all making the wedding ceremony one of the best in Nigeria in recent times.
A cross-personalities interview conducted by our reporter revealed that the wedding ceremony attracted such mighty men and women of honour because the two families are paragons of integrity, reliability and dignity.
