It was a celebration of life, legacy and family in Ilorin, Kwara State, as Chief John Femi Ogunrinde, the Olowa of Owarọ, Oko-Irese Land, marked his 80th birthday in grand style.

The celebration, held at M and M Event Center, Ilorin, attracted family members, friends, associates, prominent personalities, traditional rulers and well-wishers who gathered to honour the respected octogenarian and celebrate eight remarkable decades of his life.

The milestone birthday offered an opportunity to look beyond the number and celebrate the journey — the experiences, relationships, family values, service and impact that have defined Chief Ogunrinde’s life.

The event was hosted by veteran broadcaster and Master of Ceremonies, Alhaji Abdulfatai Adeniyi Dan Kazan, the founding president of the Freelance and Independent Broadcasters Association of Nigeria (FIBAN).

The celebration also witnessed an impressive gathering of royal fathers. Among the traditional rulers in attendance were the Oloko of Oko-Irese, the Oloro of Oro-Ago, the Alala of Ilala and the Onirore of Tore, alongside other distinguished monarchs and community leaders.

Their presence added a rich traditional and cultural dimension to the celebration and reflected the respect and goodwill enjoyed by Chief Ogunrinde.

Engineer JBO Adewumi, founder of Thomas Adewumi University and Chancellor of Kwara State University (KWASU), served as chairman of the occasion. He attended the event with his wife, Dr Gloria Adewumi.

One of the highlights of the celebration was the ceremonial cutting of the birthday cake, which was coordinated by Dr Gloria Adewumi. The celebrant, family members and distinguished guests joined in the ceremony, creating a memorable moment of joy and thanksgiving.

Beyond the music, tributes and festivities, the occasion offered the Ogunrinde family an opportunity to celebrate their patriarch and express gratitude for his life and the legacy he continues to build.

Friends, family members, associates and royal fathers shared prayers, goodwill messages and fond memories, celebrating Chief Ogunrinde’s contributions and the relationships he has built throughout his remarkable journey.

The impressive gathering was a fitting tribute to an 80-year milestone, bringing together different generations and communities to celebrate a life marked by family, relationships and enduring goodwill.

For Chief John Femi Ogunrinde and his family, the occasion was ultimately a celebration of life, legacy, family, community and impact.

As he begins another chapter, family, friends and well-wishers have wished the octogenarian continued good health, strength, peace, fulfilment and many more years of happiness.

Happy 80th birthday to Chief John Femi Ogunrinde, Olowa of Owarọ, Oko-Irese Land.

His Royal Highness, Oba Joel Oyatoye, born on January 27, 1984, to the family of Late Prince Titus Oyatoye Titiloye of the Olufayo Ruling House of Aafin-Oro, Irepodun Local Government Area, Kwara State.

The Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (CON) has approved the appointment of His Royal Highness Oba Joel Olaniyi Oyatoye Titiloye as the new Oloro of Oro.
The new monarch is a 2nd Class Monarch in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.

According to a statement issued by the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Development, Hon. Abdullahi Abubakar Bata, the presentation of Staff of Office to come up Sunday, 27th October, 2024.
His Royal Highness, Oba Joel Olaniyi Oyatoye Titiloye is a renowned Cultural Ambassador and Business Consultant.

I can understand why Moses Bliss married a Ghanaian. I have been to Ghana, and their women tend to be easier to relate with than many Southern Nigerian women. In fact, is love without billing still possible in Southern Nigeria? In our part of the world, ‘He is loving’ means ‘He is spending’. When you tell many Southern Nigerian girls, ‘I love you’, they hear, ‘You owe me’. Especially those with Industrial Money Obtainer culture. If you marry the Industrial Money Obtainers, I pity you. The billing will become industrial. You will look after her and her entire family. No capping. And better not expect gratitude. In their eyes, you are doing your duty.

If Nigeria had visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to more countries, there would be an epidemic of unmarried women in Nigeria. Because when Southern Nigerian men travel within Africa and outside Africa and encounter beautiful women who are not money conscious, they quickly lose their appetite for Nigerian women. Already, Nigerian men are considered a catch by South African and Kenyan women.

We urgently need a cultural reorientation amongst our women. Especially in Southern Nigeria. The monetisation of relationships in Southern Nigeria is just too suffocating. I am well-traveled, and I am yet to see the level of commercialisation of romance I have seen in Southern Nigeria. I call it as I see it!