It was simply classy and something out of this world when Mogaji Wole Arisekola gave out his beautiful daughter, Segilola, in holy matrimony to her husband, Samuel. It will not be out of place if the event was tagged the wedding of the year. The setting depicted and had all the trappings of a world-class event in the true sense of the words.
The location was the expansive and eye-popping Grand Ball Room of the top-notch Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. The eventful date was Thursday, 19 December, 2024.
The traditional wedding between Segilola Olasubulumi and Samuel Osereme Aisabokhae, and the reception in their honour, was not only classy and glamorous but it also attracted quality guests and dignitaries from all walks of life.
It was a wedding that attracted the who-is-who in the business, media, social, corporate and political circles from Nigeria and beyond. Over 100 guests flew in from different parts of the world because of the party. There were a good number of friends of Segilola and her siblings, as well as that of the groom who flew in from Dublin, US and London.
In fact, the memories created with the party will linger on for a long time. The Lagos Oriental Hotels’ Grand Ball Room venue of the party was transformed into small paradise with elaborate decorations.
Of course, that the wedding turned out hugely successful didn’t come to many as a big surprise. Wole Arisekola, Publisher of Street Journal and President, Association of Online Media Practitioners of Nigeria (AMPON), is known for his very powerful connections and philanthropic gestures. Little wonder that family, friends and associates stormed the party to support Wole Arisekola, the Mogaji Ajenigieye of Oje in Ibadan and his lovely wife, Chief (Mrs) Morenike Arisekola.
Apart from the superb decorations, the sumptuous meals and premium drinks and media paparazzi (over 50 media, both traditional and new media, covered the wedding ceremony), the party also witnessed performances from different cultural troupes, including the famous chanter of Yoruba panegyric, Sulaiman Ayilara Aremu, popularly called Ajobiewe; the Ayanyemi traditional drummers group from Ibadan, among others.
The high point of the movie-like party was the couple’s grand entry at the reception. It was a magical moment as Segilola and Samuel surprisingly emerged from a Rolls-Royce car from nowhere, right on stage of the hall. The effects were just out of this world as guests stood in awe.
Funke Buknor’s Zapphaire Events really put up great efforts in making the party a memorable one. The King of Laffta Mata, Gbenga Adeyinka the First, was on ground as the MC, with his rounds of rib-cracking jokes.
Performances from renowned artists including Laolu Gbenjo, fuji maestro, Saheed Osupa; Beejay Sax and DJ Kulet, created delightful moments to behold, adding more colours to the remarkably colourful event.
The list was endless but some of the high flying celebrities at the party were former governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, and his wife, Kemi; Senator Olubiyi Fadeyi; Senator Gbenga Obadara; Toyin Suraru; Professor Akin Osuntokun; Publisher of Ovation Magazine; Basorun Dele Momodu; Hon. Olawale Aganga; Martel; Gbemisola Fagbemi; Folake Akinrutan; Adebolu Adeniyi; popular Nollywood actress, Nkechi Blessing; Uriel Oputa and Bimbo Thomas.
The list also include royal personalities such as Onitire of Ikate, Oba Lateef Adams and Olori Sekinat Elegushi, among others.
Others are the Oyo-born career diplomat and State Chief of Protocol to President Bola Tinubu, Ambassador Victor Adekunle Adeleke; Chief A.A. Aribisala (SAN), former Special Adviser to President Olusegun Obasanjo on Political Matters, Balogun Akin Osuntokun; C.E.O of Harmony Gardens and Estates, Dr. Abdullahi Saheed Mosadoluwa, aka Saheed Ibile; successful businessman and Lagos socialite, Yomi Allen Odutola; former Managing Director of NNPC Shipping, Alhaji M.K Ibrahim; Dr. Bisi Olatilo; Dr. Bola Awani all the way from Dublin; Dr. Itunu; Alhaja Muyibat Arisekola Alao; Musa Arisekola Alao; Isa Arisekola Alao; Aliru Arisekola Alao; Dauda Arisekola Alao and Olumide.
Other guests on the list included the likes of Dr. Sola Adeduntan, the immediate past C.E.O of First Bank Plc and his beautiful wife, Mrs. Nike Adeduntan; MD Parallex Bank, Olufemi Bakre; Tulcan Energy Chairman, Dr. Tayo Adiatu; C E.O of Petrocam, Patrick Ilo; Secretary and Legal Adviser of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Olayemi Anyanechi; former senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District, Dr Kola Balogun; incumbent Oyo Central senator, Dr. Yunus Akintunde; Senator Soji Akanbi; Barr. Akeem Agbaje; President of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Chief Ajeniyi Ajewole; Chief (Mrs) Hannah Afolabi; Mr. Bosun Otedola and wife, Mrs. Yinka Otedola; Ronke Adeyemo; representative of Irish Embassy; Barr. Jimoh Ibrahim; EFCC Director. Bawa Kaltuogo; DIG Owolabi; CP Abibo; Mr. Sola Akindele and his adorable wife, among others too numerous to mention.