In the midst of her fountain of bliss, there arose something bitter, which stung her and moved her to tears. As Oloori Ladun Sijuwade clocked 60, memories of her late husband, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse 11, the Ooni of Ife (1980 – 2015), dampened her joy.
But she would not yield to sorrow rather the revered matriarch and socialite chose to honour her late husband by celebrating her milestone moderately. On Thursday, March 17, 2016, Oloori Ladun scorned elaborate fanfare and opted for a low key celebration, as a mark of respect for her beloved husband who joined his ancestors last July, at the age of 85. Ladun was not so happy because her husband had planned to celebrate her 60th anniversary in a very grand manner.
But for her two children – Aderenle Fayose and Aderemi Sijuwade, who executed a well-planned “birthday coup” by hosting a modest dinner in her honour, Oloori Ladun would have allowed the day to just pass by.
The duo of Adenrele and Aderemi, allegedly suspected that their mother would be opposed to a lavish celebration, so, they planned a surprise dinner in her honour. The birthday dinner, a black tie affair, was held at Angelika’s, the upscale restaurant on Akin Adesola, Victoria Island, Lagos. The restaurant was the perfect backdrop for the intimate dinner with its glass chandeliers and pristine white walls. Besides being the most prominent wife of the late Oba Sijuwade, Oloori Ladun remains the most glamorous and formidable queen of all time. She flaunts an enviable pedigree as the only daughter of the late billionaire, lawyer, politician and businessman, Chief Adedamola Harold-Sodipo and late society icon, Chief (Mrs.) Flora Olamide Harold-Sodipo (née Adefope)
