When Nigerians Celebrated Renowned Billionaire Industrialist Aare Rasaq Okoya At 80

January is usually a special month for renowned industrialist Aare Rasaq Okoya. But this January 2020 has surpassed others as it has turned out differently for the man of style and great affluence.

This year Aare Rasak Okoya turned 80 and the celebration started with Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari’s special greetings to the billionaire on his birthday.

And from Abuja to Sokoto down to Lagos, Port Harcourt and all around Nigeria, top politicians, billionaire businessmen, boardroom gurus, royal fathers, Nollywood stars, media moguls, all stormed Aare Rasaq Okoya's 80th birthday celebration at his sprawling, panache Oluwanishola Estate in Lekki, Ajah axis.

Those who witnessed the 80th birthday party will readily agree that it was a first-class party, which will remain an unforgettable memory.

The exclusive party brought together the Vice President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Governor of Lagos state, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu among others, who joyfully cut the birthday cake with the glowing celebrant.

The Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo while cutting the cake, prayed God to grant Okoya 100 years, preserve him and keep him in good health.

For a man who started from a very humble and poor beginning, eking out a living from petty trading, to rise to the topmost echelon as an industrial giant, it should not surprise anyone that his 80th has been so celebrated in pomp and ceremony, starting with a thanksgiving prayer with him and close members of the illustrious Okoya family, led by prominent Islamic clerics.

The A-list guests at the history-making birthday celebrations of business mogul, Alhaji Rasak Akanni Okoya were thrilled by renditions from different musicians, as the vice president and former President Olusegun Obasanjo stepped out with the birthday boy; Okoya on the dance floor.

As expected his circle of equally stupendously rich friends and associates all gathered in his massive estate to celebrate the milestone age with him. Some of the notable Nigerians that attended the event were the royal father of the day, Ooni Of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, businessman, Aliko Dangote as well as traditional rulers.

Fully on ground was the industrious youngest wife of the celebrant, elegant and charming Sade Okoya, who was on her toes, very visible to make sure that the commemorative birthday party was the talk in town as she ensured to put in place all necessary logistics like maximum security, sumptuous dishes, vintage drinks, good music and sundry merriments, which made the day a memorable one.

Also to grace the event were: Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Prince Subomi Balogun, Justice Oguntade and wife, Dr. Samuel Adedoyin and wife, HRM. Oba Adeyeye Ogunnusi Ooni of Ife, HRM. Oba Adesina Adenugba, Ebumawe of Ago Iwoye, Sir (Dr.) Adebukunola Kesington Adebutu, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Okiki Obasanjo, former President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prince Samuel Adedoyin and wife Toyin, Ambassador George Oguntade and wife Modupe, Kunle and Ojuolape Ojora, Chief Subomi and Abimbola Balogun, Oba Otudeko, Mr. Demola Seriki, Sir. Segun Okeowo and wife, Sir. Alex Duduyemi, Chief Mrs. Kemi Nelson, Mrs. Abimbola Jakande, Engr. Funso Joko Akin-George, Chief Emeka and Bunmi Anyaoku, Mr. Femi and Jumoke Pedro, Modele Sarafa Yusuff, Chief Bisi Olatilo, Chief Dele Momodu, Gbenga Adeyinka; TAA, Mrs. Daisy Danjuma, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, wife of the former governor of Lagos State, Chief Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Prof. Wale and Sade Omole, Chief Alao and Kemi Akala, Chief Niyi Adebayo, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Mr. Segun and Bola Awolowo, Chief Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, former Governor of Delta State, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, Osile Oke Ona Egba and his Three Oloris, Senator Prince Lanre Tejuoso, Sir. JK Randle, Olori Ladun Sijuade, Profess Pat Utomi, Dame Abimbola Fashola, Mrs. Sarah Sosan, Senator Ibikunle and Funso Amosu, HE Prince Dapo Abiodun, Executive Governor of Ogun State, Mrs. Bisi Fayemi, HRM. Oba Saheed Elegusi, Sina Peller, Evangelist Ebenezer Obey, King Sunny Ade, Chief Wasiu Ayinde, Sir Sina Peters, Mr. David Adeleke a.k.a Davido, Alhaji Musiliu Haruna Ishola, Chief Mrs. Nike Akande, Mr. Paul Ruwase, Chief Wale Babalakin, Adejoke Orelope Adefulire, Derin Osoba, Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mrs. Maiden-Alex Ibru, Publisher, The Guardian Newspapers Limited, Olorogun Oscar Ibru, Chief Odein Ajumogobia, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Executive Governor of Lagos State, Chief Olusegun John Odubela (SAN), Dr Senator Lanre Tejuoso, Mr Segun Awolowo, Col. Dele Oyefuga, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, Mr Segun Adesanya, Princess Dr. Toyin Kolade, Shinna Peller, Mayor Akinpelu, Dele Momodu, Seye Kehinde, Mr Moses, Joke Shogunro, Aare Bashir Olawale Fakorede and lovely wife Yeye Aare Basirat Fakorede, Femi Pedro and his beautiful wife, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Tessa Ikimi, Senator Anthony, Abiola Atanda, Evangelist Esther Ajayi and Husband, Mr. Kola Abiola, Mrs. Kemi Mimiko, Joe Odumakin, Members of Island Club, Lagos, Olorogun Sonny Kuku, John and Sola Momoh, Chief Florence Ita Giwa, Mr. and Mrs. Sunny Omoregie JP, an amazing number of society women who glowed in various exotic attires and fabrics.

Beejay Sax performed to the entertainment of the special guests and the big stage was shared by two major compares, Gbenga Adeyinka the 1st and Tee-A, while The 1st Mayegun Of Yoruba Land, K1 De’ Ultimate, Ebenezer Obey, King Sunny Ade, Arunna Ishola, Sir Shinna Peters, Davido and others trilled the guests to unforgettable and unlimited funfair which made the birthday, a carnival-like celebration.