July 11, (THEWILL) – Timeless! That was the theme of actor and influencer Richard Mofe Damijo’s 60th birthday party, which held on Tuesday, July 6, 2021 in Lagos. It aptly depicts the lifestyle of the man, who has been able to conveniently and comfortably blends with the younger and older generations, while still maintaining his relevance and youthfulness. All of these characteristics he brought to bear as he hosted the creme de la creme of high society at his party.
COVID-19 protocol was jettisoned
The party was totally devoid of any form of COVID-19 protocols. Everyone mingled, hugged and pecked just like it used to be before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Even when the master of ceremony, Bovi Ugbomah, at a point appealed to the guests to observe social distancing, nobody paid attention to him. How could they? The hall was arranged without social distancing in mind. The only person who obeyed the protocol was entertainment heavyweight, Olisa Adibua, who had his mask on but also kept going round to hug other guests and shake hands with them.
The dress code
It was a black tie event and that meant everyone had to turn up in sophisticated modes of dressing. The men were expected to turn up in tuxedos and the women in long gowns, with a caveat – both genders were told to dress to kill. Not a few complied with the dress code. However, some men chose to do it the agbada way, while the older women decided to go easy on themselves.
About the celebrant’s outfits
In keeping with the dress code, the celebrant turned up in a tuxedo embellished with Swarovski stones, looking every inch as dapper as always. Midway into the party, he changed into his Warri traditional ensemble and for the after party with the younger guests, he opted for a casual linen top and pants.
The surprise of seeing ReverendEsther Ajayi
Some guests were surprised to see at the party, Reverend Esther Abimbola Ajayi, the popular clergy woman who once reigned supreme in the United Kingdom before her relocation to Nigeria. RMD isn’t a member of her church, Love of Christ Generational Church, Cherubim and Seraphim, but considering that Rev Ajayi relates with everyone, irrespective of tribe, religion or age and won’t pass off an opportunity to attend a high-octane event, this could perhaps explain why she honoured him with her presence. Well, the philanthropist, who was accompanied by her husband, Dr Ademuyiwa Ajayi, set the ball rolling with an opening prayer.
Friends pay tribute to RMD via documentary film
A documentary film put together by the celebrant’s friends as a tribute beamed from a screen mounted on the stage shortly after the party kicked off. They all had nice things to say about him, including how he impacted on their lives and how they were all lucky to have crossed paths with him.
Between Oba Saheed Elegushi and Senator Florence Ita-Giwa
The young and stylish monarch of Elegushi land arrived at the party with some of his friends and chiefs. Very unlike his 45th birthday party where he abandoned his royal regalia for casual ensembles, Oba Elegushi opted to wear the traditional agbada accessorised with his royal beads. He sat next to Senator Florence Ita Giwa, otherwise known as Mama Bakassi, and at some point couldn’t help but gush at how amazing she looked at 70. In the course of the party, he got carried away, got up to dance with her and then quickly remembered his royal status and sat back almost immediately. He left not too long after he arrived.
James Ibori’s electrifying presence
The former Delta State governor complied with the dress code and as soon as he walked into the venue of the party, the atmosphere became charged. Everyone wanted to have a handshake with him, as well as a hug and photograph. His arrival fast tracked the programme of events.
Even while seated on the same table with Rev Ajayi and her husband, a few people kept going to pay homage to him. Ibori, who is fondly called Odi-di-di-gbo-i-gbo (greatest of the greatest/one with intimidating charisma or size) was at the party without his wife, Senami Sosu, who always accompanies him to social events.
Emmanuel Uduaghan’s conspicuous absence
The celebrant’s former boss, former governor of Delta State, Emmanuel Uduaghan, was conspicuously absent at the party. Not a few wondered why Ibori, who RMD didn’t exactly work directly with, honoured him with his presence, but not Uduaghan who was RMD’s direct boss for eight years, both as Uduaghan’s special adviser on culture and tourism and later as a commissioner in the same ministry.
Sholaye Jeremy’s ‘James Bond’ style
Until he became popular blogger, Linda Ikeji’s baby daddy, not many people had heard about Sholaye Jeremy. Not even when he dated popular society lady, Alali Hart, who he left for Linda. This is largely due to the fact that Jeremy isn’t a very loud person, as he prefers to operate in the background. The businessman, who has interests in the oil and gas sector, showed up without pomp at the party and quickly took position next to James Ibori as they both chatted away.
Bobo Ajudua shows up for RMD
Bobo is the only son of Fred Ajudua, but he has managed to carve a niche for himself. The married father of one who is an entertainment lawyer, was at the party to felicitate with RMD.
Onyeka Onwenu’s ‘new’ look
The singer, actor and politician was at the party looking very unrecognisable. The mother of two, who spent the greater part of her life wearing a low-cut hair style, has now decided to start plaiting her hair. Call it midlife crisis and you may not be totally wrong. Did it suit the soon-to-be 70-year-old ‘Elegant Stallion’? Your guess is as good as mine.
Marriage fits Julianna Edewor well
The society lady, who is the mother of TV presenter and actress, Eku Edewor, was present at the party in company with her famous daughter. Julianna who is the daughter of late Delta State born billionaire, Chief James Edewor, looked every inch the classy and beautiful lady she has always been. It is obvious she is having the best of times in her third marriage. Julianna was initially married to a Briton, Hugh Thorley, father to Eku and her twin sister, Kessiana. Thorley and Juliana parted ways and she married Peter Thomas whom she was with for almost 15 years. However, he died and after 10 years of mourning him, Juliana who is now in her 60s found love again in the arms of Dr Victor Izegbu. The couple have been married now for a little over two years.
fusion of old and new Nollywood
Members of the celebrant’s immediate constituency, Nollywood, turned up in their numbers to honour the one man who has succeeded in plying his trade and fit in successfully among the old and new school players. RMD, who began his acting career about four decades ago, has managed to remain relevant 40 years after and he is today, still one of the most sought-after actors in this clime. Seasoned actors, such as Norbert and Gloria Young, Fred Amata, Zik Zulu Okafor, Sola Sobowale, Ramsey Norah, Segun Arinze Taiwo Ajayi-Lynette, etc. as well as the new school Nollywood such as Eku Edewor, Denola Grey, Banky W etc. were sighted at the party.
Clothiers pay homage
Known to be quite the stylish man, the party had quite a sizeable number of male fashion designers, most of who had at one point or aother had the privilege of having RMD, not only model their collections, but also sold racks of their designs to him. Designers, such as London-based Emmy Collins, Taryor Gabriel, Seyi Vodi, Evans Akere, Yomi Makun etc. made it to the party. Even the female designers were not left out.
book presentation
One of the highlights of the party was RMD’s book presentation. The book, ‘Portrait of a Warri boy’ chronicles the life and times of the celebrant. Rev Ajayi, Sholaye Jeremy, Senator Florence Ita Giwa, real estate mogul, Ned Nwoko; politician, Ossai Osanebi; James Ibori – were all called up on the stage to launch the book. Each of them gave a moving speech but they all declined to mention their exact monetary donation towards the launching of the book for very obvious reasons. Setting the pace of this new style of book launching was Ibori, who after a lengthy prayer in Urhobo language, promised to do the ‘needful’. Naturally, every other person followed suit.
RMD sets the pace with perfume launch
The celebrant, who said he liked to smell good, used the opportunity of his party to launch his own brand of perfume aptly named ‘Timeless’. He encouraged everyone present to embrace the art of smelling nice at all times.
LG wows three party guests
Electronic giant, LG, one of the brands that RMD represents as an ambassador, gave out three flat screen TV sets to three lucky guests. The guests were randomly selected and presented with the television sets.
The after party
The party, which dragged into the night culminated in an after party with the guests, comprising mostly the younger generation, bringing down the roof. On stage to thrill them was a disc jockey and Veentage Band who had been playing since the party began, thrilling guests with their repertoire of songs, ranging from oldies to current singles.
The guests’ list
On the guests’ list, which read like the who-is-who in Nigeria, were Olumide Apata, Dele Momodu, Chike Ogeah, Badejo Okusanya, Charles Otudor, Iheme Osita, Funke Akindele-Bello and husband, Mary Akpobome, Kelechi Amadi-Obi, Gloria Nash, Ruth Osime, Mo Abudu, Funke Kuti, Dare Art Alade, Funmi Ajila-Ladipo, Ebube Nwagbo, Bimbo Thomas, Eniola Badmus, Betty & Soni Irabor, Mercy Johnson, Mercy Aigbe, Nse Ikpe Etim, etc.
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