March 06, (THEWILL) –Â Nollywood actress, Faithia Williams, celebrated her birthday on Sunday, February 27, 2022 at the Balmoral Hall of the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. The event, no doubt, lived up to its billing as one of the most anticipated parties of the year. SHADE METIBOGUN captures the highlights of the party, which was tagged #Faithiaunusual
About the celebrant
Faithia Williams has no doubt paid her dues as an actress and movie producer. She became one by chance when her uncle, Alhaji Fatai Teniola, asked her to stand in for an actress who failed to show up during one of his movie productions. Faithia played the role so well that she was applauded for her performance. She has never looked back ever since and has appeared in many Nollywood movies in the Yoruba genre, despite being from Delta State, receiving accolades in the process. She also owns a restaurant where a full English breakfast is served, a chic beauty parlour and a wine store in Abeokuta, capital of Ogun State.
Controversy surrounding her real age
Faithia Williams’ real age appears to be shrouded in controversy. While many believe she can’t be less than 53 years-old, Faithia insists she is 51. This she revealed during her birthday celebration. She had her age emblazoned at the venue of the party.
The expensive Aso-ebi
Ahead of the grand celebration, Faithia released the price list of the clothes her guests were expected to wear to her party. It was in two categories. The gold category had five yards of white lace material, which was sold to both men and women for N60,000 and the platinum category had a colourful lace fabric which was sold to women for N150,000 and to men for N120,000. Not only were the fabrics sold out, many of her guests turned up for the party in lovely designs made from the fabric. The branding of the Aso-ebi was equally top notch. They came in customised white and yellow boxes, which had the picture of the celebrant on it.
The Egyptian themed partyÂ
One of the actress’s bucket list as a child was to stage a costume/themed party and this she did when about two weeks before the grand finale, Faithia threw a strictly Egyptian costume/themed party that was well attended by her friends and colleagues in the movie industry.
The celebrant’s grand entry
Grand entrances have become a major attraction at high-profile events. Faithia didn’t miss out on the trend as she made a spectacular entrance during the party. She was the cynosure of all eyes as she was ushered into the venue by eight maidens dressed like Egyptian royal servants. They sprinkled rose petals on the floor as the movie star and two of her children marched into the venue of the party. Her first son, Oluwatosin Akanbi, couldn’t make it to the party as he lives abroad. The young man, who is married, made Faithia a grandmother a few years ago.
Welcome dance by cultural dancers
Cultural dancers added spice to the party. They were stationed at the red carpet to welcome the celebrant and her guests. They danced beautifully while chanting the celebrant’s praise as she arrived the venue of the party. They didn’t stop praise singing until some guests sprayed them cash on the red carpet.
Joke Silva honoured Faithia’s invitation
Seasoned actress, Joke Silva, made it to the party looking elegant and graceful. The actress, who is known for being selective when it comes to the events she attends, especially one that involves her colleagues in the Yoruba genre of the industry, took many by surprise when she arrived at the venue. Her presence proved just how important Faithia is to her. She took time off from her usual routine of caring for her ailing husband to honour Faithia with her presence and stayed on for a long time.
Mercy Aigbe and husband make second public appearance
Mercy Aigbe and her wealthy movie producer husband, Kazim Adeoti, aka Adekaz, were all loved up to the envy of many in attendance at the party. The couple has since put the controversy that greeted their public declaration of love behind them. This is just as Adekaz’s estranged wife, Funsho, equally accepted her fate.
Desmond Elliot left legislative duties to partyÂ
Nollywood actor turned lawmaker, Desmond Elliot took time off legislative duties to unwind. He stormed the venue looking handsome in his brown traditional attire.
The celebrant’s car gift
Foremost real estate company, Kayode Obembe and Co Limited, offered an ambassadorial deal to the celebrant, which was officially announced at the birthday party. Her position as the brand ambassador of the real estate company came with a brand new car. A prototype of her car key was presented to her on stage by representatives of the company in attendance.
The naira rain
As with most parties of such nature, naira rain featured prominently and the celebrant got a huge dose of it. The singer of choice, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal aka KWAM1, who hates to be sprayed cash on his forehead, changed his mind when he sighted actress Laide Bakare moving towards him with mint dollar notes.  He intensified his praise singing as the actress kept plastering dollar notes on him. Faithia’s colleagues however didn’t make it rain on her. Except for Yinka Quadri and Bimbo Akinsanya, who graciously made it ‘rain’ on her briefly, most of them shunned the dance floor where it kept ‘raining’. However, only Mercy Aigbe’s husband made it ‘rain’ thunderously on the celebrant.
The gospel touch
Gospel artiste, Tope Alabi was at the party to belt out gospel tunes to the delight of guests and the celebrant. Those close to the celebrant know that Tope Alabi is her favourite female gospel artiste and the celebrant couldn’t resist the urge to dance. She stepped on the dance floor singing along with Tope joyfully. Faithia couldn’t help but rain naira notes on the singer. Her mother and her two children later joined her on the stage as they all danced to the gospel songs.
How Yetunde Wumi almost marred the party
Hassan Akinwande, also known as Yetunde Wumi, the actress who escaped the gulag years ago for attempting to ferry hard drugs outside the country, had an altercation with a young man at the event. The man mistakenly stepped on her as he passed by. The actress was quick to express her displeasure and it led to a mild drama between the two. Some of her colleagues had to intervene before it all got out of hand. They were able to pacify the actress who was obviously annoyed with the young man and was ready to throw caution to the wind and engage in a public show of shame.
Between Remi Surutu and Saheed Balogun
Saheed Balogun, the celebrant’s ex-husband and father of her two children, was conspicuously missing at the party. This is despite the fact that they share the same birth date and had supposedly buried the hatchet that led to the breakdown of their marriage. They had reconciled with Saheed even featuring in a movie Faithia produced, on her invitation. But alas, the party happened and Saheed didn’t show up. As for Remi Surutu, her animosity towards her colleague still burns deep and it explains why she wasn’t at the party. Sometime ago, Remi accused Faithia of running her down in the presence of some of her colleagues despite all she had done for her in the past. Remi was instrumental to Faithia meeting her ex husband Saheed and she accommodated the couple at her Magodo home when they were still struggling.
Iyabo Ojo and her disappearing act
Many were disappointed when they didn’t see Iyabo Ojo at the party. They questioned the motive behind her absence as she just settled her age long rift with the celebrant. Iyabo Ojo is currently holidaying with her children in Turkey. However, many wondered why she couldn’t shift her journey till after the birthday or even weeks before the birthday.
Tayo Odueke’s grouse with Faithia Balogun
Tayo Odueke, also known as Sikirat Sindodo, who used to be in the good books of Faithia Williams did not attend the party.  Ever since her lover, Musiliu Akinsanya aka Mc Oluomo, boss of the Lagos State Chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers reconciled Faithia and Iyabo Ojo, she has been avoiding the celebrant who allegedly dated the transport boss at one point. Tayo isn’t comfortable with the role her lover played as she is not ready to lose him to another actress. This perhaps explains why she has since been trying to stay away from the celebrant and also keep her lover away from her, too. Incidentally, MC Oluomo was at the party and his table was a Mecca of sorts as many, both male and female trooped to his table seeking his attention.
Funke Akindele-Bello’s kind gesture
Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele-Bello is one of the most supportive movie practitioners the industry is blessed with. Ahead of the party, she sent her financial support to the celebrant. Faithia didn’t take Funke’s kind gesture lightly as she took to her social media space to acknowledge and thanked the actress for her generous contribution to her ceremony. And in her characteristic manner, Funke who has developed a reputation for shunning events put together by her colleagues in the Yoruba movie genre, didn’t disappoint. She was absent from the party.
Roll call of guests
From members of her immediate constituency, the movie industry who turned up in large numbers to business moguls and politicians, Faithia Williams’ party accommodated them all.
Additional report by Ivory Ukonu
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