November 28, (THEWILL) – Actress cum entrepreneur, Iyabo Ojo rolled out the drums last Sunday to celebrate her late mother, Mrs Olubunmi Victoria Fetuga’s one-year remembrance and final burial ceremony. The event, which was well attended by her colleagues, business associates and friends will remain one of the most talked about for a long time. Here are the behind-the-scene gists from the event as compiled bySHADE METIBOGUN.
About late Mrs Olubunmi Victoria Fetuga
Iyabo’s late mother died in her sleep on Saturday, November 21, 2020 at the age of 67. She suffered from schizophrenia, a mental disorder that affects a person’s ability to think, feel and behave. She was buried on Friday, November 27, 2020, at Ebony Vault Cemetery, Ikoyi, Lagos. A few weeks after her demise, Iyabo boasted of celebrating the one-year anniversary of her death in a grand way, which she fulfilled on Sunday, November, 21, 2021.
The Venue
The ceremony took place at upscale Monarch Event Centre in the Lekki area of Lagos. There was a red carpet which covered the floor from the entrance of the hall to the stage. The hall was decorated with beautiful flowers and two large portraits of the deceased were placed at strategic points in the hall.
The Aso-ebi
There were two signature aso-ebis or ceremonial clothes, which Iyabo’s female guests were expected to wear. They came in two shades of blue; royal blue and sky blue. The headgears also came in two colours; royal blue and royal blue mixed with gold. The men wore the signature sky blue material with royal blue cap. Some guests bought both varieties and ensured they wore them before the event came to an end.
The Compere
Gbenga Adeyinka and veteran actress, Abiola Atanda, professionally known as Madam Kofo, handled proceedings at the event with dexterity. The synergy between the two made the evening a fun-filled one for all the guests in attendance. They both wore the signature aso-ebi for the evening.
The Hostess’ Grand Entrance
Iyabo Ojo and her siblings were ushered in by praise singers all the way from Ijebu-Ode in Ogun State. They sang praises of the Fetuga family as guests cheered them on. Traditional dancers later took over the stage as they danced to melodious tunes from the praise singers. Iyabo also danced to the music before proceeding to her seat.
The Music Band
Samson Egbeyemi and his melodious band was the first to take over the music stage. Many were not disappointed as he sang different songs to the delight of the guests. Gospel music star, Lanre Teriba, also known as Atorise, entertained the audience for about 15 minutes before handing over the microphone to the next artiste, a 12-year-old saxophonist called Temilayo Adeniyi. She was applauded for her brilliant performance. Wasiu Ayinde Marshal more popularly known as K1 de Ultimate also thrilled guests with his performance. The king of Fuji music, who should have been away on honeymoon after his marriage to delectable mother of four, Emmanuella Ropo, was able to make it to the event.
Between Toyin Ajeyemi and Anita Joseph
Actresses, Toyin Ajeyemi and Anita Joseph were the envy of single ladies as they both drew the attention of other guests alongside their respective spouses. Toyin and her husband Kolawole were seen sharing hot kisses while Fisayo Olagunju, also known as Mc Fish, took time to massage Anita Joseph’s tired feet as the ceremony progressed. However, this PDA didn’t sit too well with some Nigerians who lashed out at her. Her fans believe she shouldn’t have allowed her husband massage her feet in public. They said doing so sends a wrong signal on how she treats her husband at home.
Cash Gifts
Many of Iyabo Ojo’s friends gave her money to help with the planning of the ceremony. Tiwa Savage was the first to give her the sum of N500,000. Diamond Anjolaoluwa Morenike, also known as Temmy Diamond, gave her N300,000. Princess Toyin Kolade, the Iyalaje Odua, also donated money and 40 cartons of wine to the hostess. Iyabo received another gift of half a million naira from Alhaja Omolara, a very close friend of hers. Popcola donated a truck load of drinks, while many of her colleagues and friends fell over themselves to give her either monetary gifts, cows, drinks or food items.
Lots of Souvenirs
Branded gift items for guests started coming in from Iyabo’s friends and colleagues a few days before the event. Wanguru Foods sent branded cups. Oyindamola Adedejo, one of her colleagues and friend sent customised throw pillows and t-shirts for the event. Other gifts included branded table water, branded carbonated drinks, customised mugs and flasks, bottles, cutlery and others.
Toyin Abraham-Ajeyemi’s Pepper Gift
The actress took the event to a different level by sharing fresh pepper in customised bags to guests as they were about to leave the venue for their respective homes.
Ololade Abuta’s Special Gift
Dr Ololade Abuta, Iyabo Ojo’s god daughter, had some special gifts for the actress. She had planned to donate 26 cows to Iyabo, but the latter begged her to give the cash equivalent. This is not the first time that Ololade, who is a real estate entrepreneur, would be shower love on the actress. Being a generous soul, she gave Iyabo Ojo a Range Rover Evoque last year.
Iyabo Ojo’s Five Dazzling Dresses
The hostess dazzled guests and stole her own show with five different dresses at the event. The gorgeous clothes were made by some of the best hands in celebrity styling in Lagos State: Toyin Lawani and Abiodun Folashade Tokunbo, otherwise known as Ceo Luminee
Great Support From Iyabo Ojo’s Friends
Iyabo Ojo enjoyed tremendous support from her close friends who stood by her in her time of need. Most of them were up and doing during the event and ensured guests enjoyed the party. They were all early callers at the event venue to oversee and coordinate activities on behalf of Iyabo.
Jide Kosoko, Iyabo Ojo Bury The Hatchet
Seasoned actor, Prince Jide Kosoko, who ensured Iyabo was suspended when she had a row with her colleague, Yomi Fabiyi, over Baba Ijesha’s sexual molestation case a couple of months ago, made it to the event. Kosoko had at that time vowed to ensure that both Iyabo and another actress Nkechi Blessing were barred from acting in any Nigerian movie. His presence at the party showed that he had buried the hatchet with Iyabo as he strutted around the hall like a father of the day.
Toyin Lawani and Husband Sent Tongues Wagging
Controversial fashion designer and stylist, Toyin Lawani, made her husband, Segun Wealth, to tie the gold and blue signature headgear meant for the female guests on his head. He was the cynosure of all eyes as he stepped into the event venue.
Those Who Shunned the Event
Some movie practitioners shunned the party and failed to celebrate the actress on their social media pages. The likes of Yomi Fabiyi was not in attendance, though he stated that he bore no grudge against the actress. Faithia Balogun and Funke Akindele-Bello were also absent. Both actresses are not on speaking terms with Iyabo. Funke Akindele was one of the people Iyabo called out for allegedly discrediting Toyin Abraham-Ajeyemi’s movie, The Ghost and the Tout. Iyabo also had a beef with Faithia Balogun, who went to town with the tale that Iyabo slipped into a coma after undergoing a body enhancement surgery in Turkey. Both Iyabo and Faithia also fought over Gbenga Noble, a.k.a Asiwaju Istanbul, who was their benefactor. Also, the National President of the Theatre Arts and Motion Picture Practitioners Association of Nigeria, Bolaji Amusan, was not in attendance, too. He was instrumental to the suspension notice served to the actress a few months ago. Same with Adebayo Salami and his son Femi Adebayo.
Olori Sekinat Elegushi and Oba Saheed Elegushi attended
Olori Sekinat Elegushi seems to have made it a point of duty to always attend events held in her much sought-after event centre, Monarch Event Centre. She was at Iyabo’s party in the company of her husband, Oba Saheed Elegushi, and she really did let her hair down.
Peter Okoye ‘Sprayed’ Cash on KWAM1
It was naira rain all through the duration of the party, but Peter Okoye’s style of naira rain didn’t sit well with some of KWAM1’s fans. Peter virtually poured wads of naira notes on Wasiu’s head. Wasiu, who doesn’t like to be sprayed in that manner and has publicly said so, couldn’t stop him.
The Roll Call
Iyabo’s immediate constituency, Nollywood, particularly the Yoruba speaking section, was well represented at the party.
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