As expected of the status of the two personalities, the parties had all the trappings of candor, class, and glamour, and were attended by those who matter in society and across different sectors of human endeavor.
While Ronky Thom, as Dame Ronke Thomas is popularly called, had her birthday reception at the Ibadan Civic Centre, Idi-Ape, Ibadan, Yeye Yinka Ladoja's birthday party was held at the Sunlight Royal Event Centre, New GRA, Iyaganku, Ibadan.
In attendance at Ronky Thom's party were several top dignitaries, including the wife of former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, Chief (Mrs.) Mojisola Obasanjo; Oloye Lekan Alabi, the Abese Olubadan of Ibadanland; Chief (Mrs.) Taye Soyege, the Balogun Iyalode of Ibadanland; and Chief (Mrs.) Yewande Durosaro, the Asipa Iyalode of Ibadanland.
Others who graced the iconic celebration included Mr. Seyi Alaba, the Captain of Ibadan Golf Club; Hon. Jelili Adesiyan, former Minister of Police Affairs, and his beautiful wife, Mrs. Funmilola Adesiyan; Prince Yomi Olaitan of Party Affairs and Events Management; Mr. Dapo Oye (Lester); Mr. Yomi Salami; Mrs. Yinka Bello; Hon. Sade Ajala; Mrs. Falade; Chief John Olaide Idowu; Chief (Mrs.) Bola Doherty; Dr. Funsho Kupoluyi; Mrs. Bunmi Adesanya, the Yeyeoba; Mrs. Ronke Ajibola; Justice Tokunbo Majekodunmi; Justice Akinteye; Justice Akintade; and Barr. Adeyemo, among others.
Not only was Ronke Thom's party well-organized and well-attended, but it was also classy and devoid of miscreants, thanks to the watertight security. It was a white and pink themed party.
Cutting her birthday cake, which was adorned in pink and gold, Ronke Thomas looked as beautiful and glamorous as ever in her black and gold patched trousers and jacket, paired with a gold blouse, and gold shoes to match.
There was another special aspect of the whole celebration: the celebrant made her 70th birthday worthwhile not only for high-class individuals but also for those at the grassroots level. About one hundred people were given packs of raw foodstuffs just before the commencement of the reception.
Like Ronke Thomas’, Yinka Ladoja’s birthday reception also attracted an array of guests from politics, business, royalty, and social circles. It was truly a gathering of the 'who’s who,' as family, friends, and associates turned out en masse in colorful attire to honor the celebrant.
It was more of a state affair, as the celebrant is one of the closest individuals to the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde. In fact, she is affectionately referred to as 'Iya Gomina,' which literally means the governor's mother. So she was pampered and showered with love and honor on her 70th birthday as one.
Attendance at the mint green and white themed party crossed various sectors and social classes.
The roll call included Chief Dr. (Mrs.) Onikepo Akande, the Iyalaje Iyalode of Ibadanland, who coordinated the cutting of the beautiful white cake adorned with a touch of pink; Evangelist Dr. Funmi Aragbaye, a popular gospel singer, who delivered the opening prayer at the reception; members of the Iyalode-in-Council of Ibadanland, who came to support and honor one of their own; and many others too numerous to mention.
Governor Seyi Makinde and his wife, Engr. Mrs. Tamunominini Makinde, were the Chief Host and Hostess of the party.
Yinka Ladoja, brimming with smiles in her white native attire, was in her element and looked regal as she cut her beautiful birthday cake adorned with white, pink, and touches of gold.
Of course, the two women have every reason to celebrate. At 70, they are not only aging gracefully but are also witnessing their children's success and being part of their grandchildren's growth.
They are both successful, fit, and radiant, and they still play golf at 70.
Ayaba Mutiat Olayinka Ladoja is a former First Lady of Oyo State and one of the wives of the newly crowned Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja. She is the Maye Iyalode of Ibadanland. She is also a businesswoman and politician whose life is described as a blessing to many in and outside of office.
This act of benevolence was also displayed during her 70th birthday celebration when she donated millions of naira worth of goods to 16 orphanages and care homes for people with disabilities across Ibadan.
Dame Ibironke Thomas, on the other hand, is a businesswoman and golf enthusiast. She is the CEO of Ronky Thom Unique Services, which has interests in fashion and beauty, fitness and gym centers, sachet water production, and more. She is a former Lady Captain of the prestigious Ibadan Golf Club.
Born into the family of a retired Permanent Secretary and an Egba Igbore high chief father, and an Iloro-Ekiti indigene mother, Mrs. Olubunmi Ruth Adenrele Thomas (Mama Ewe), also a retired civil servant, Dame Ronke Thomas received her primary, secondary, and higher education both in Nigeria and abroad.
She studied Secretarial Studies at a college in the UK, and upon her return to Nigeria, she worked at the now-defunct Sketch Publishing Limited as a secretary.
She also had a short stint at Great Nigeria Insurance PLC before she quit in 1980 to focus fully on her private business.
Like her father, Dame Ronke Thomas is a Knight of John Wesley in the Methodist Church Nigeria, Bodija, Ibadan.







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