October 21, (THEWILL) – Penultimate week, award-winning music star, Ayodeji Balogun, more popularly known as Wizkid, literally held Lagos spell bound with a lavish burial ceremony for his late mother, Madam Julianna Morayo Balogun, who passed away in August. The two-day ceremony, which had all the trappings of opulence and was attended by the high and mighty, is still being talked about, over a week after it ended.
Here are titbits about the party:
The man Ayodeji Balogun
That Wizkid has come a long way from his rookie days as a studio ‘rat’ on the streets of Ojuelegba, Surulere, Lagos would be simply putting it mildly. His career trajectory, which has catapulted him to international stardom, is a testament to the power of his dreams to make something for himself through music.
From bagging some of the biggest awards locally and internationally to performing on some of the biggest stages around the world and in sold-out concert arenas, he is an inspiration to anyone who dares to dream, work relentlessly and exercise the power of self-belief.
The man who loved his mother
Wizkid has been able to achieve such great heights in his career through his late mother’s guidance and care. He honoured her in her lifetime by becoming great with his music. To truly appreciate her impact in his life and his deep love for her, the singer expressed this through a song, ‘Mummy Mi,’ which he dedicated to mothers worldwide. The single is off the album titled, ‘Ayo.’
In the song, Wizkid lauds his mother for the joy she gave to him, promising to spoil her with the finest things in life. The track featured heartfelt praises for his mum who he vowed to shower with life’s finest pleasures. Following her death, he went off social media for weeks to mourn her.
‘Blessed among women’
Wizkid is the only and last male among 12 female siblings. His mother, a Christian, was his Muslim father, Alhaji Muniru Balogun’s third wife. His mother sired four children – himself, Yetunde Balogun, Omolara Osunkoya and Olubusayo Balogun. He is the only male child of his parents.
Meet Wizkid’s immediate family
The superstar has four children from three different women. His first son, Boluwatife, a preteenager is by his first baby mama, Oluwanisola Ogudu. His second son, Ayodeji jnr is by his Guinean-American model baby mama, Binta Diallo. His third son, Zion, is by his current partner and manager, Jada Pollock, while he welcomed his last child, his only daughter, with Jada. While Shola resides in Nigeria with Boluwatife, both of whom attended the ceremonies, Wizkid flew in with Jada and his two children with her. However, Binta was conspicuously absent.
Boluwatife Balogun: A fine young gentleman
No doubt, Oluwanisola Ogudu did a good job raising Bolu as a single mother since Wizkid isn’t really present in their lives. At the burial ceremony one could tell that Bolu is well brought up as he oozed respect, decorum, empathy, discipline and brotherly love towards his half siblings and the people around.
A night of tribute and wake
The ceremony to officially bid Mrs Balogun a final goodbye began on Thursday October 12 when the Balogun family held a wake for her at the Balmoral Hall in Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos.
During a procession, Wizkid, visibly heartbroken and almost in tears, was seen holding a candle alongside his siblings who tried their best to console him. He said that his mother’s death came as the deepest pain he had ever experienced and an extremely difficult one to bear, adding that it hurt deeply.
Mourning his mum, he said, “I have no words to describe the pain that I feel and I know every one of my family members shares this pain with me. I know the pain can’t go away, so I’m not going to say, ‘Take away the pain’, but I know God, in his infinite mercy, will comfort us to go on with life. The pain is profound; it hurts deeply. It is the deepest pain I have ever felt in my life. I am lost, but I pray, and I know God will comfort every one of us.”
The interment
Late Mrs Balogun’s funeral service took place on Friday October 12 at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, City of David parish, Victoria Island, Lagos. Her remains were interred in a private ceremony restricted to the Balogun family and their close friends. It was at the funeral that Wizkid could no longer hold back the tears and he wept like a baby at the thought of never seeing his mum again.
Madam Balogun’s unique resting place
The remains of Madam Balogun was ferried to her final resting place in a brown casket made of rich shiny mahogany wood procured from Ebony Funeral Home. The casket was lowered in her own readymade private vault located at Ebony Funeral Home and Private Cemetery, Ikoyi, Lagos.
The vault is surrounded by a medium length fence made of marble, polished tiles and granite, befitting the mother of a superstar. There are different types of vaults available at Ebony Funeral Home and Private Cemetery. A basic single vault which is the cheapest costs N12,500,000. This is followed by a basic double vault which costs N22,000,000 and then the classic vault which costs N25,000,000. The most expensive kind of vault available there is the premium vault costing N35,000,000.
For anyone who desires a special kind of vault different from the ones listed, the cost is dependent on what the specifications for the special requests are. The above listed cost does not include tombstone classification such as marble slabs, granite slabs, tiling of vault, embossment of picture, alley, picture portrait etc. Any of these services which must be included have prices ranging from N100,000 to N1,300,000.
The reception venue
The venue of the reception was the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, the only venue that could comfortably accommodate the large number of guests that turned up in solidarity for Wizkid. The banquet hall was beautifully transformed with chandeliers, flowers and other decorative ornaments in the party colour, theme.
Shuga Band, KWAM1 in their elements
Shuga Band, one of the most sought-after music bands led by Akinloye Tofowomo, a.k.a Akin Shuga, set the ball rolling with a superb performance. Soon after the band’s allotted time was up, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall went into his elements. Straight from his one week isolation, which culminated into his installation as the Olori Omooba Akile Ijebu, the Fuji maestro thrilled the guests. After a while, he came down from the stage where he was performing and took a seat beside Wizkid while he serenaded him with a special number.
Mr Money with the vibes
Wizkid showed that he came prepared, cash wise, for the funeral reception of his mother. Quite unlike how Nigerians would normally make it rain with naira notes in different denominations, Wizkid opted to spray cash in bundles of currency notes.
While KWAM1 played on stage, Wizkid spent about N2 million cash on him in bundles. After the praise singer took his seat beside Wizkid, the diminutive singer asked his personal assistant to hand over the N5 million with him, in readiness to expend it all on KWAM1.
Wizkid made sure to give his two sons present bundles of money to spray as they pleased.
The special souvenir
Although there were a number of souvenirs shared to party guests, two particular souvenirs stood out. They were skincare products from skincare expert, Fabslimtox by Fabslim Remedies. Apparently, during Madam Juliana’s lifetime, she was an ardent user of products from the skincare brand which made her skin glow. So her children requested the owner of the beauty brand to produce bottles of one of her moisturisers, Revive Milk and handmade organic scrub. A bottle of her revive milk costs N58, 000 and Madam Balogun’s children requested her to make mini bottles of these two products in hundreds with the deceased photo stamped on them.
The man Sunday Are
In his 60s, Sunday Are is Wizkid’s official manager and right hand man. He supervises Wizkid’s shows and engagements, coordinates his affairs and maintains mutual agreements for Starboy Entertainment. He is the CEO of List Entertainment Limited, a promotional and management company based in Lagos. He has been the brain behind so many big shows and big names here in Nigeria and Diaspora. For his loyalty to him over the years, Wizkid gifted him a Toyota Prado SUV about two years ago. Sunday was more or less Wizkid’s personal security at his mum’s funeral party, ensuring that he was adequately taken care of in all aspects.
Tony Elumelu paid his respects
The Chairman of United Bank of Africa, UBA and HEIRS Holding, Tony Elumelu, made sure to attend the ceremony with some members of his ‘kitchen’ cabinet, including Dupe Olusola, MD/CEO Transcorp Hotels Plc, owned by Transnational Corporation where Tony is chairman. Wizkid welcomed him warmly and introduced his three children present, including his partner, to him. Both men nurture a relationship that transcends beyond their business transaction which is having Wizkid as the brand ambassador for UBA.
Wizkid and Banky W bury the hatchet
One of the early callers at the party was singer, actor and politician, Bankole Wellington, a.k.a Banky W. He sat quietly at a table allocated to him as he beamed with smiles and acknowledged greetings from other guests.
It was good to see that both men had buried the hatchet and embraced peace. Wizkid began his journey into stardom on the music platform that Banky W provided him. He was signed to Empire Mates Entertainment, a record label founded by Banky W and his friend, Segun Demuren.
By the terms of his contract with EME, Wizkid was supposed to drop five music albums, but he only dropped two and started making moves to sever ties with EME. This naturally caused some animosity and resentment between Wizkid and the label. Banky had to let him go eventually. But Wizkid at that time said he had no money to his name after he made his last album, ‘Ojuelegba’ with EME. When he left, he set up his own label, Star Boy. He however never showed solidarity to Banky W when he attained major milestones; marriage, having a child, joining politics until he was sighted at the party.
Oba Saheed Elegushi lets his hair down
The young king who rules over the Elegushi-Ikate kingdom in Lagos State never misses a chance to party hard, particularly if the host is someone very dear to him. He was accompanied to the party by socialite Prince Fuad Oloto.
Seated beside Wizkid, the traditional ruler disregarded all royal protocols and danced to KWAM1’s music to his heart’s desire. He ensured he had a good time before departing late at night.
The music industry was not fully represented
Only a few of Wizkid’s colleagues attended the party. They included Wande Coal, Dapo Oyebanjo, a.k.a DBanj, Paul Okoye, Jude Okoye, etc. Some of the big acts were not in the country. David Adeleke, a.k.a Davido, was in America welcoming his twin children. Damini Ogulu aka Burnaboy has been out of the country for months now. Oluwatobiloba Daniel Anidugbe, a.k.a Kizz Daniel, was away on official engagement somewhere in Africa. Augustine Kelechi aka Tekno hasn’t been in the country for a while and Daniel Benson is currently on a tour of North America, same also with Temilade Openiyi, a.k.a Tems. However, people like Michael Ajaere, a.k.a Don Jazzy, were in town, likewise some others. Perhaps, they were not invited.
Special message from Davido delivered by KWAM1 to Wizkid
As earlier mentioned, Davido was unable to attend his colleague’s mum’s funeral because he was away in America to welcome his twin children with wife, Chioma, he however sent KWAM1 to deliver a heartfelt message on his behalf to Wizkid. And this he did in a manner that warmed the hearts of many, showcasing the profound mutual respect and affection between these two heavyweight Afrobeats artistes. This message was delivered by the messenger via a song.
Tiwa Savage, queen of the night
The songstress arrived while the party was underway. She was not dressed in any of the several ‘aso ebis’ that dotted the hall of the party. She was dressed simply but looked ravishing in a bou bou. On sighting her, KWAM1 raised the tempo of his music and began to sing her praises. He called her ‘Iyawo Wizzy’ (Wizkid’s wife) eliciting a shock reaction from her. While trying to embrace Wizkid to comfort him, the host may have attempted to get fresh with her as memories of their time together in the past came flashing back to him, prompting her to quickly knock off his hands on her. Overall, she had a swell time.
Other attendees
The Nigerian film industry had able representation in Osas Ighodaro and Eniola Badmus, reality stars, Mercy Eke, Kemenni Ekerette, Yeni Kuti, Cecil Hammond, etc.
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