Chief Razak Okoya @80: Display of Grandeur and Opulence Amidst Pomp

It was popular playwright and dramatist Femi Osofisan, who aptly titled one if his best selling artistic masterpiece titled; ‘Brithdays Are Not For Dying’, indeed birthdays are not for the dead. It’s a moment for every celebrant to reflect on redolent memories and give thanks to the creator of life for preserving it in a time when grim reaper is looking for who to snatch.

It’s takes unlimited grace and divine favour to glide into the league of octogenerian, most importantly celebrating in good health which is quite essential to enjoy life. For astute industrialist and philanthropist, Chief Razak Okoya, reaching 80 years on the 12th of January, is a clear indication that he has conquered all his fears and won with a landslide victory. He is wealthy, successful among all still bubbling with life at an age most of his peers are 6ft down the grave. The occassion of his 80th birthday on the 11th of January, clearly indicates that, being wealthy is different from being influential.

 He displayed his wealth of influence as he converged heavyweights in different walk of life to his ‘Oluwa Ni Shola’ Estate meaning ‘God creates wealth’; sitting on over 5 hectare expanse of land, situated along the Lekki-Ajah Express way, Lagos. The architectural masterpiece residential building is indeed a true definition of heaven on earth edifice, tastefully built and fitted with modern facilities and of course beaming with extravagant grand opulence.

At the birthday shindig, it was indeed a night of convivial ambiance, those who attended will never forget in a hurry. Kudos to the celebrants wife Sade, she ensured a well coordinated flow of programmes that eventually made the event a huge success

The Publisher of CITYSPY, Oladapo Sofowora, gives a detailed account of what went down at the much talked about birthday party of the Eleganza chairman.

The Alluring Venue

On arriving at the gigantic colonnade of the ‘Oluwa Ni Shola, palatial mansion, the ambiance is indeed a welcoming and alluring one. Littered around the spacious compound was big portraits of the celebrant well fitted in several attires. You will be marvelled at the security check point consisting of; the Police, Neighbour Hood Security Guard and the Civil Defence Corps, all on ground to maintain order. To control the flow of traffic and parking, Lagos State Transport Management Agency (LASTMA) and Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC) marshal were also on ground to ensure free flow of traffic and avoid parking at wrong points.

The arena of the event was well decorated with White, Green, Red and Gold colours. From the finest of cushin iron chairs, marble tables and synthetic grass on the floor, red carpet walk ways were ornament added to add glamour to the event. The trees around were woven with several lighting from rolling heads, spot lights, fluorescent.

The Event Hosts

The duo of comedian; Gbenga Adeyinka the 1st and Tee A were both the host for the Night. They both displayed professionalism cum dexterity in their craft marked with impeccable synergy between them. They never ceased to crack the audience up at intervals with jokes.

The Celebrant and Wife

Chief Razak Okoya is knows to always wear a smiling face at all time. He is a jolly good fellow. Sauntered majestically into the event, well fitted in a knitted complete all white Agbada attire with a long gold like choral bead. His wife Sade Okoya was fitted in a well knitted yellow like gown with several pattern accompanied with an headgear and necklace. Much later, she changed to another Silver like material covered with scale-like pattern, a gold head gear and a turtle gold necklace with red stones matching with her earrings. They displayed public affection to eachother most expecially on stage during artiste perfomance. From Chief Okoya’s look, he was indeed an elated man with pure joy and happiness in his heart.


The Gigantic Birthday Cake

The birthday cake is one of a kind, with jaw dropping creative pattern. Measuring size of roughly 3ft length and 4ft breath, the cake was baked with the prototype of the Eleganza factory building plan design. The cutting of the cake was coordinated by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, flanked by the celebrant and wife, Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Otunba Subomi Balogun, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Dr. Oba Otudeko and a host of others.

The Lagos Political Bigwis

The event at a point turned political when Mayegun of Yourba Land, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall was performing, he threw caution in the air drawing the attention of wailers to the presidency ambition of his boss the All Progressive Congress National Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. The serenaded the audience laying emphasis on his ambition in 2023 as Gods own project saying it’s the turn of the Southwest to produce the Next president. Flanked by Tinubu was the Odole Oodua, Sir Adebukola Kessington, Chief Razak Okoya, Governor of Lagos State Babajide Sanwoolu, Deputy Governor Babafemi Hamzat, Speaker of Lagos house of Assembly RT. Hon Mudashiru Obasa, Chief Kemi Nelson and a host of other top political figure in Lagos and Nigeria. Excitement was fluttered in the air as K1 went on to sing praises of Asiwaju and declared him the Next President.

The Music Heavyweights

The event won’t be forgotten in a hurry as history took place. Three legend of juju genre of music all performed on one stage. The trio of Professor Ebenezer Obey Fabiyi, King Sunny Ade and Sir Shina Peters all performed at the event.

Beejay Sax opened the stage performing jazz tunes with his saxophone before the event was officially declared open by the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo. Ebenezer Obey performed first, he successfully brought back redolent memories from his old songs.

He serenade the audience with his voice and also got every top guest dancing for over am hour. Mayegun of Yoruba Land and King of Fuji Music, Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde Marshall followed with a blitering performance. Bobo as he is fondly called, was in top form.

He lighted up the atmosphere praise singing the guests with much gusto. The juju maestro himself King Sunny Ade showed that a King does not need to announce his arrival, his aura will announce his arrival. KSA showed that music for him is inborn. He got everyone on their feet and praised sang every guest present rendering songs off his classics.

The younger generation present enjoyed HipHop music, Pop Sensation Davido who mounted the stage and the whole crowd roared to the top of their voice as he performed hit tracks from his singles and album.

Most immediately, Sir Shina Peters the Afro Juju crooner also showed the world he is still in tune with the current trend. He serenade the audience and everyone rocked to singles from his old Album. Sir Shina was celebrating the 60th birthday of his wife Sammie Peters same day but had to attend Okoya’s birthday due to his filial relationship with the celebrant. To wrap up the musical performance, Apala sensation Musiliu Haruna Ishola never failed to dish out tunes from his indigenous Apala genre of music. His drummers, percurssions, talking drummers were all in top form, they delivered in full.

Array of Meals and Drinks

The quality of meals and drinks served to invite guests makes a party at top notch one. The Okoya’s never settled for less, as they spent lavishly on quality meals and drinks. There was an array of sumptuous local and continental dishes served with endless supply. At a point, the host had to announce there was breakfast to be served. There was more than enough in stock to savour the taste buds of those who were present. The most expensive of champagnes were served. The deluxe and premium Don Perignon, Laurent Perrier, Moet Rose, Belaire and other expensive champagnes were in circulation. Other premium spirit, vodkas, Red wines and carbonated drinks were also lavishly moved round for consumption.

Roll call

All Progressive Congress National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Former President of Nigeria Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Governor of Lagos State Babajide Sanwoolu, Deputy Governor of Lagos Obafemi Hamzat, Speaker Lagos House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Mudashiru Obasa, Chairman Channels TV John Momoh, Former Lagos Firstlady Bolanle Ambode, Former Delta State Governor James ibori, Kola Abiola, Former Ogun State Governor Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun, Kemi Nelson, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, Chairman CAC Demola Seriki, Segun Awolowo,Founder of First City Monument Bank Omoba Subomi Balogun, Chairman Gibraltar Construction Sir Olu Okeowo, Chairman Premier Lotto Chief Adebutu Kessington, Osile OkeOna Of Egba Land Oba Adedapo Tejuosho, Senator Lanre Tejuosho, Former Ogun State commissioner for Commerce and Industry Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, Chief Emeka Ayonku, Former Lagos Deputy Governor Femi Pedro, Former Osun State Governor Chief Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Chairman Honeywells Dr Oba Otudeko, Nigeria High commissioner to the United Kingdom Justice Adesola Oguntade, Dr. Samuel Adedoyin, Former Lagos state Firstlady Dame Abimbola Fashola, Chief Alex Duduyemi, Former Oyo State Governor Otunba Alao Akala, Bosun Oredola, Prof. Pat Utomi, Erelu Abiola Dosumu, Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, Former Ekiti state Governor Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Dr Mrs. Onikipo Akande, Senator Daisy Danjuma, Chairman Dangote Cement Alhaja Aliko Dangote, Oba Ikate land Oba Saheed Elegushi, Dr. Sunny Kuku, Firstlady Ekiti state Erelu Bisi Fayemi, Former Ogun state Governor Senator Ibikunle and Funsho Amosun, Former Lagos Deputy Governor Princess Sarah Adebisi Sosan, Former Ogun State Deputy Governor Alhaja Salmot Badru, Minister for Information Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Managing Director Fidelity Bank Nnmadi Okonkwo, Dr Sam Iwajoku, Hon. Shina Pella, Chairman Sodium Group Abisoye Fagade, Chairman Fisolak Global Resource Princess Toyin Kolade, Former Vice Chancellor OAU Prof Wale Omole, Hajia Bola Bola Shagaya, Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Dolapo Badmus, Former Chairman First Bank Bisi Onasanya, Publisher of Ovation Magazine Bashorun Dele Momodu, Media Icon Bisi Olatilo, Hon. Funmi Tejuosho, Mother Esther Abimbola, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, Activist Joe Odumakin and a host of others.