We can tell you for free that those who witnessed the 80th birthday celebration of renowned industrialist and business mogul, Aare Rasaq Okoya at his panache Oluwanishola Estate will readily agreed that it was a first-class event, which will remain unforgettable in memories of those that attended the party for a very long time.
The highlight of the event was the cutting of the birthday cake by the celebrant flanked by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Governor of Lagos, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu among others.
The vice president, who presided over the cutting of the cake, prayed God to grant Okoya 100 years, preserve him and keep him in good health.
For a man who started from a very humble and poor beginning, eking out a living from petty trading, to rise to the topmost echelon as an industrial giant, it should not surprise anyone that his 80th has been celebrated in amidst pomp and the ceremony, starting with a thanksgiving prayer with him and close members of the illustrious Okoya family, led by prominent Islamic clerics.
The build-up of the much-awaited history-making birthday celebrations of business mogul, Alhaji Rasak Akanni Okoya clustered with the A-list guests as the ambiance is engrossed in anticipation of what to come. The guests were thrilled by renditions from different musicians, as the vice president and former President Olusegun Obasanjo stepped out with the birthday boy; Okoya on the dance floor.
As expected his circle of equally stupendously rich friends and associates are all gathered in his massive estate to celebrate the milestone age with him, likes of notable Nigerians that attended the event were the royal father of the day, Ooni Of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote as well as traditional rulers.
While his youngest wife, elegant and charming Sade Okoya, she is on her toes to make sure that the commemorative birthday party was the talk in town as she has put all necessary logistics like maximum security, sumptuous dishes, vintage drinks, good music and sundry merriments in place which make the day a memorable one.
Top on the list that grace the event is Princess Dr. Toyin Kolade, Shinna Peller, Mayor Akinpelu, Dele Momodu, Seye Kehinde, Mr Moses, Joke Shogunro, Aare Bashir Olawale Fakorede and lovely wife, Yeye Aare Basirat Fakorede, Femi Pedro and his beautiful wife, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Emeka Anyaoku, Prince Subomi Balogun, Justice Oguntade and wife, Dr. Samuel Adedoyin and wife, HRM. Oba Adeyeye Ogunnusi Ooni of Ife, HRM. Oba Adesina Adenugba, Ebumawe of Ago Iwoye, Sir (Dr.) Adebukunola Kesington Adebutu, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Okiki Obasanjo, former President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prince Samuel Adedoyin and wife Toyin, Ambassador George Oguntade and wife Modupe, Kunle and Ojuolape Ojora, Chief Subomi and Abimbola Balogun, Oba Otudeko, Mr. Demola Seriki, Sir. Segun Okeowo and wife, Sir. Alex Duduyemi, Chief Mrs. Kemi Nelson, Mrs. Abimbola Jakande, Engr. Funso Joko Akin-George, Chief Emeka and Bunmi Anyaoku, Mr. Femi and Jumoke Pedro, Modele Sarafa Yusuff, Chief Bisi Olatilo, Chief Dele Momodu, Gbenga Adeyinka; TAA, Mrs. Daisy Danjuma, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, wife of the former governor of Lagos State, Chief Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Prof. Wale and Sade Omole, Chief Alao and Kemi Akala, Chief Niyi Adebayo, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Mr. Segun and Bola Awolowo, Chief Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, former Governor of Delta State, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, Osile Oke Ona Egba and his Three Oloris, Senator Prince Lanre Tejuoso, Sir. JK Randle, Olori Ladun Sijuade, Profess Pat Utomi, Dame Abimbola Fashola, Mrs. Sarah Sosan, Senator Ibikunle and Funso Amosu, His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, Executive Governor of Ogun State, Mrs. Bisi Fayemi, HRM. Oba Saheed Elegusi, Sina Peller, Evangelist Ebenezer Obey, King Sunny Ade, Chief Wasiu Ayinde, Sir Sina Peters, David Adeleke a.k.a Davido, Alhaji Musiliu Haruna Ishola, Chief Mrs. Nike Akande, Mr. Paul Ruwase, Chief Wale Babalakin, Adejoke Orelope Adefulire, Derin Osoba, Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mrs. Maiden-Alex Ibru, Publisher, The Guardian Newspapers Limited, Olorogun Oscar Ibru, Chief Odein Ajumogobia, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Executive Governor of Lagos State, Tessa Ikimi, Sena Anthony, Abiola Atanda, Evangelist Esther Ajayi and Husband, Mr. Kola Abiola, Mrs. Kemi Mimiko, Joe Odumakin, Members of Island Club, Lagos, Olorogun Sonny Kuku, John and Sola Momoh, Chief Florence Ita Giwa, Mr. & Mrs. Sunny Omoregie JP, many societies women who glow in various exotic attires and fabrics.
Beejay Sax performed to the entertainment of the special guests and the big stage is shared by two major comperes in the MC industry, Gbenga Adeyinka the 1st and Tee-A, while The 1st Mayegun Of Yoruba Land, K1 De’ Ultimate, Ebenezer Obey, King Sunny Ade, Arunna Ishola, Sir Shinna Petters, Davido and others thrill the guests to unforgettable and unlimited funfair which made the birthday a carnival-like celebration.