The social calendar of the capital city of Oyo State in 2025, like every other year in the past, was quite busy. But it was a bit different from what was obtainable in the past years. The tempo and style of organizing social events has really changed. The standard has been raised in terms of choice of venue, decorations, music, souvenirs, quality guests and what have you. These and many more are all the things that played out and made year 2025 unique for the Ibadan's social establishment.
Of course, there were a lot of parties from January till December of the year but there were some that were outstanding. We are talking about celebrity parties that were just out of this world in all ramifications in the year 2025. The hot celebrity parties that really shook the Ibadan social scene to its foundation.
So huge and exciting were these parties that any top socialite that is worth his or her salt must have attended one or more of these parties.
They are the kind of social events exude of glamour, colour, candor and class, creating lasting memories in the minds of both the attendees and party vendors. Events planners and vendors must have made double, if not more, of what was made in the previous year. Top Nigerian musicians across Fuji, Juju, Gospel, Highlife and other genres of music also smile to the banks big time.
They are celebrity parties to be remembered for a very long time to come, due to their individual uniqueness and themes.
Take for instance the glamorous burial ceremony of Madam Selina Adebutu (Nee Odiase) in March. Everything about the party was classy.
Then the burial ceremony of a founding father of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Chief Yekini Ayoade Adeojo in April 11. The final burial ceremony held at Ibadan Recreation Club Ground, Sabo, Ibadan was a spectacle. It was attended by the who-is-who in politics as well as business, social and Islamic circles.
What about the 70th birthday party of an astute businessman and the Ekefa Olubadan of Ibadanland, Alhaji Ismaila Akinade Fijabi in April 27 2025?
The event, which was attended by top dignitaries, traditional rulers, political figures, and socialites from across the country including Governor Seyi Makinde; Dr. Zaccheus Adelabu, Chairman, Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), formerly Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS); Adebayo Adelabu, Minister of Power and a lot of other prominent dignitaries, was nothing short of a royal affair. Popular Fuji maestro, Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, a.k.a K1 De Ultimate, was on bandstand.
Another big party that shook Ibadan was the burial ceremony of late former governor of the state, Dr. Victor Omololu Olunloyo, who died on April 6, 2025, at the age of 89.
The late great Mathematician was laid to rest on Thursday, June 26, 2025, following a series of events, including a tribute night and lying-in-state, among others, between June 24 and June 26, 2025.
It was a week long of different activities held at Jogor Events Centre, Obafemi Awolowo (Liberty) Stadium, Cathedral Church of St. David’s, Kudeti, Ibadan, and the main reception at the International Conference Centre of the University of Ibadan (UI) Ibadan.
On July 25, the burial ceremony of a former High Commissioner to Zambia and Malawi and Governor Makinde unofficial advisor, Ambassador Ronke Adefope also held.
It was a state burial which practically brought Ibadan to a standstill. Both the funeral service at the Cathedral of St. Peter, Aremo, Ibadan, and the reception at Sunlight Royal Events Centre were well attended by top dignitaries. Governor Seyi Makind of Oyo State led the pack of celebrities at the party.
By August, the number prominent celebrity events started increasing. The first of such in the month was the burial ceremony of the Late 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakunlehin.
The late monarch, who retired as a Major in the Nigerian Army, was given a state burial and was also accorded full military honours, including the presentation of the Nigerian flag and ceremonial gun salutes to mark his final departure.
It was a week long marked with different activities including Church Service and interment at the Cathedral of Saint Peters, Aremo, Ibadan and reception at the International Conference Centre, UI, Ibadan.
Then we had the 70th birthday celebration of the former Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Abdul Jelili Adesiyan, popularly known as Jalo. The event held at the World Lilies Events Place, Oluyole, Ibadan, was a total shutdown.
Followed by the 80th birthday celebration of the mother of Hon. Segun Olaleye, popularly known as Radical Brother, the former lawmaker who represented Ibadan North State Constituency in the Oyo State House of Assembly.
On September 5, the Ace Mall CEO, Prince Adeyinka Afonja, and his siblings hosted the crème de la crème of the society at their mother, Madam Janet Arinade Afonja's 80th birthday party. The exclusive party was held at the popular Sunlight Royal Events Centre, Iyaganku GRA, Ibadan.
At the same venue on October 4, 2025, the former First Lady of the state and one of the wives of the current Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja, Arusa I, Chief (Mrs.) Olayinka Ladoja, was celebrated specially on the occasion of her 70th birthday.
The party attracted an array of guests from politics, business, royalty, and social circles. It was truly a gathering of who-is-who as family, friends, and associates turned out en masse in colorful attire to honor the celebrant.
It was also more of a state affair, as Yinka Ladoja is one of the closest individuals to the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde.
Also in October, another prominent society woman, Dame Aderonke Thomas celebrated her 70th birthday in grand style. The birthday reception at the Ibadan Civic Centre, Idi-Ape, was colorful and glamorous. It had in attendance 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.
On September 26, the ancient city experienced a total shutdown with the iconic coronation ceremony of the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja, Arusa I. The Nigerian President, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, alongside other prominent dignitaries from far and near were in town to grace the occasion. The historic Mapo Hall, venue of the coronation, couldn't contain the crowd. Same was the situation at the Obafemi Awolowo (Liberty) Stadium, despite the fact that different venues to cater for different levels of guests were created. The coronation ceremony was a whole week-long affair.
Just as Ibadan was still grappling with panache and fanfare that Olubadan Ladoja's coronation ceremony presented, Alhaji Saheed Omogbolahan, the CEO of Gastab Petroleum, caught many people off their feet when he hosted one of the most glamorous weddings the city has witnessed in recent times. It was his daughter's wedding ceremony.
The lavish ceremony, held at the prestigious Sunlight Royal Event Centre, New Iyaganku GRA, Ibadan drew a constellation of dignitaries, business moguls, top politicians, captains of industry, and the crème of social elites from different parts of the world to Ibadan.
From the décor to the ambience, everything exuded class and sophistication. The event centre was transformed into a dazzling scene of floral elegance and premium aesthetics befitting the high-profile crowd in attendance.
The bride, graceful and radiant, was a vision of beauty, while her groom complemented her in regal style, a perfect match celebrated by all.
True to his reputation as a meticulous and generous host, Alhaji Omogbolahan ensured that guests enjoyed a seamlessly orchestrated experience, from gourmet dining to top-tier hospitality.
The night’s biggest highlight, however, was King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, K1 De Ultimate's electrifying performance as guests partied till the very late in the night.
Another high octane event of the year was the wedding ceremony of Moyosore, daughter of Chief Bolaji Ayorinde SAN and Oladipo, son of Hon. Tolu Akande Sadipe. Both the wedding reception and the exclusive wedding ball the next day held at the prestigious Hall of Grace of Jogor Events Centre, Harvester Drive, Off Obafemi Awolowo (Liberty) Stadium, Ibadan, were tastefully planned and classy. The paparazzi and the quality guests at the two events says much about the statuses of both of the parents involved.
Other Ibadan's top-notch parties of the year 2025 included Hon. Akin Alabi's mother's burial; the 50th birthday celebration of Mrs. Nike Alaba, wife of Captain of Ibadan Golf Club and CEO, Private Security, Mr. Seyi Alaba; the 40th birthday ceremony of Mrs. Tomilola Ogunlowo, wife of a prominent businessman, Mr. Kayode Ogunlowo, a.k.a K Manchy; Ilaji Hotel and Sports Resort Chairman, Chief Dotun Sanusi's Okanlomo Oodua installation reception; the colourful wedding of SB, King of live band; the burial of late Mrs. Cecilia Adejayan; burial of mother of Mrs Omodewu at International Conference Centre, UI, Ibadan, and Madam Victoria Olaleye's 100th birthday also at the International Conference Centre, UI, Ibadan.
One other party that has remained the talk of the town was Afia Group's end of the year party and the official commissioning of Afia Apartment and Afia Court Ring Road, Ibadan. The company's CEO, Engr. Abduljelyl Adekunle Karheem MCIArb, MCIOB, MCABE, a.k.a Mogaji Adanla, left no stone unturned in making the whole event a memorable one. Governor Seyi Makinde commissioned the two projects, while Chief Kola Karim, an astute businessman and Chairman of Shoreline Energy International and the Agba Oye of Ibadanland, as well as other dignitaries including the representative of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja, Arusa I; the Onpetu of Ijeruland, Oba Sunday Oladapo Oyediran; the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheikh Abdulganiyy Agbotomokeke; Prof. K. K. Olosho; the Okere of Saki, Oba Khalid Olabisi; Chief Imam of Ogbomosoland, Sheikh Teliat Yunus Ayilara, among others also graced the glamorous occasion.
-Dare Adeniran
08057639079
Credit: City People
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