Known for her ageless beauty and her love of wearing white ensembles, Erelu is an epitome of grace and class. She took the name Aduke Fernandez at their union, which she said began in 1982 with a tribal wedding in Nigeria, though at their divorce proceedings in 2003 he said they were never formally married. Above all, we are not where we are supposed to be. resolutions of members of united bank for africa plc at the 61st annual general meeting held on thursday, april 27, 2023 lagos, nigeria, april 28, 2023 . [5], Dosunmu studied business administration in London. Some people expect the Erelu to be old, fat, illiterate and dirty. [1][2] Her maternal grandmother was an Iyalode of the Owu Egba. Then suddenly, we had a coup and the military came in and stayed for a long time. I have no fear or complex about who I am. Yesterday, businesswoman, socialite and traditional aristocrat, Erelu Abiola Dosunmu the Erelu IV of Lagos, feted the creme of society to a grand 2-in-1 celebration. Chief Abiola Dosunmu (formerly Dosunmu-Elegbede-Fernandez, born 29 July 1947), is a Nigerian businesswoman, socialite and traditional aristocrat. Dont forget that we had people like Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and Gani Fawehinmi who criticised the military, and we saw how they were dealt with by the powers that be. They only take my pictures when they see me at parties. Which king is the richest king in Yoruba land? Maybe, we were weak also but we had a very stiff opposition. Dosunmu, the former wife of late Chief Dehinde Fernandez will be 70 in a few months time and she is showing no telltale of age. On Saturday, businesswoman, socialite and traditional aristocrat, Erelu Abiola Dosunmu the Erelu IV of Lagos, feted the creme of society to a grand 2-. Im not a socialite but a traditionalist. [3] In addition to a variety of other chieftaincy titles, he held the title of the Apesin Ola of the Egba clan of Yorubaland. Erelu Kuti IV Abiola Dosunmu, Queen mother of Lagos, Yeye Oodua of Ife, Nigeria, King Sobhuza ii, Princess Ncengencenge Dlamini and Prince Mcwasho Dlamini of Eswatini birthday, The Giant King Mwami Mutara III Rudahigwa of Rwanda, A Close confidant of the traditional rulers of Lagos. That shows how enterprising she was for her to come back with those things despite how arduous the journey was. At the time, Fernandez was married to an American woman. [28] When Fernandez was visiting in Lagos, he stayed with Dosunmu at the Tower Fernandez, which they built together. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Thats why it is important for parents to spend time with their children. She also lost the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade and her estranged husband, late Chief Deinde Fernandez. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. [29][18][30] Two daughters were born of this union: Atinuke Fernandez in 1984, and Abimbola Fernandez in 1989. Born on July 29, 1947 in Nigeria, Abiola Dosunmu started her career as erelu Kuti of Lagos . And indeed, I had a happy childhood and it made an indelible impact on me. That is why Yoruba kings are still fighting. She lost her confidant and soul mate, Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas, the business titan and society patriarch. Experts say the project will cost at least $6 billion. The duo engaged in a public spat with Fernandez formally ordering her to stop using his surname. The palace of the Oyinoyi of Ebiraland is considered to be the most beautiful palace in Nigeria and second in Africa. Some people think that all being Erelu entails is for you to look beautiful and attend parties. Chief Abiola Dosunmu (formerly Dosunmu-Elegbede-Fernandez, born July 29, 1947), is a Nigerian businesswoman, socialite and traditional aristocrat. I havent been so active for a while. In the early hours of Monday, February 2, 2015, Erelu Dosunmu's world was shattered when her soulmate and confidant, Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas, the business Titan and grand society patriarch, died. You can email us at: hello@thisdaylive.com or visit our contact us page. She went to hajj in the days when it took three months to make the journey riding on camels. A lot of women queue in the sun and rain to vote for men and I wonder why they cannot do the same for their fellow women. The Nation. This perhaps explains why Obasanjo was a special guest of honour at the ceremony. I felt loved and wanted and that went a long way in shaping me into who I am today. The astute businesswoman died on Wednesday, January 1, 2014 after a brief illness. Erelus father The love such people would give your children would be mechanical. I enjoy talking. I have a national honour from the Royal Kingdom of Belgium. He is the Oba of Lagos and one of the traditional rulers in Nigeria that cannot be overlooked. You are unique, Your email address will not be published. When she was just 26 years-old, Dosunmu was crowned as the Erelu Kuti of Lagos by late Oba Adeyinka Oyekan, the traditional ruler of Lagos State who was her uncle. [10], As a child, Fernandez attended Catholic primary school next to the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Lagos, then CMS Grammar School in the Bariga neighborhood. [14], Fernandez had six wives[15] or long-term partners, and he acknowledged nine children. I made them hug each other and shake hands. The Erelu's duties include advising the king on social matters, advising him on people deserving of titles, making sure things run well at the palace, and all those are in the gazette of the. When I became the Erelu, the number of honourary chiefs we had in Lagos State were just over 100. Her estranged husband and the true love of her life, Anthonio Dehinde Fernandez, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Permanent Representative to the United Nations, died in Belgium on Tuesday, 1 September, 2015. On the social scene, some socialites make a fleeting passage like the beep of a mobile phone, while others bestride it with . In the early days of Lagos State, she planted a business in the earth of the city patronised by the big wigs of that era. As the Erelu of Lagos and Abeokuta (Ogun State), are there times when there are conflicts of interest between your roles in both kingdoms? He held this position for two years until his appointment as Deputy Permanent Representative of Mozambique to the United Nations in 1984. In the early hours of Monday, February 2, 2015, Erelu Dosunmus world was shattered when her soulmate and confidant, Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas, the business Titan and grand society patriarch, died. They could also talk to the government. [3] In 1982, he served as advisor to the Angolan Government on Economic matters. 1. Like the fabled goddess of the Verges, Erelu Abiola Dosunmu ages with elegance and grace. She was Crowned the Erelu-Kuti iv, the highest female royal position in Lagos in 1980 by Late HM Oba Adeyinka Oyekan II. Erelu Dosumu would be adding value to the Court of Oduduwa as a well connected aristocrat who for many years has been part and parcel of the influential class of Nigerian royalty. So I sacrificed my personal ambitions and decided to use my platform to champion the cause of women and support the king. [24][25][26] Nigerian musician King Sunny Ad wrote a song honoring Dosunmu titled "Biibire Kose Fowora". Inside me, Im just as young, enterprising and stylish as I used to be. But, the men would still give them access in terms of helping them with their childrens school fees and other things. Sadly, I dont know of any major projects that have been carried out with the money after that time. Dosunmu married Major Adekunle Elegbede and had two children, Kunle Elegbede and Adewunmi Elegbede. Grizzly Tools; bret bielema house illinois. The mix-up in the name of the MFB is not deliberate. What impact did she have in your life? By Parrot Nigeria On Oct 24, 2020 0. The Kano July 29, 1947-born erelu Kuti of Lagos expert is arguably the worlds most influential Abiola Dosunmu is expert, with a wide-ranging social media outreach. Youve always been known as a fashionable person. She was distraught and devastated. He was an accountant with the Bank of West Africa (that metamorphosed into First Bank of Nigeria) and he was transferred to different places, including Maiduguri (Borno State) and Kano State. Later on, I decided to open a store for Aso-Oke in the United Kingdom. That is the reality. It helps to already be famous to become a social media influencer, but she demonstrates that you need to have a raw or personal touch and engage with your followers if you want to do well on Instagram Facebook, Twiter, Youtube, etc. It is this same sense of duty and to fulfil the. On Friday, July 12, 2017, regal lover of white ensemble, Erelu Abiola Dosunmu, will be 70. What is thought to influence the overproduction and pruning of synapses in the brain quizlet? We now find that all sorts of characters who have not been well prepared for being traditional rulers are now sitting on thrones. 2023 Ivory NG. Like the fabled goddess of the Verges, Erelu Abiola Dosunmu ages with elegance and grace. The suppsed second child she had for Fernandez isnt recognised as Fernandezs as she refused to subject the child to aDNAtest as requested by her inlaws. According to a news report on the website of Fleetmon, Why Obasanjo, Others Cancelled Parties The list is swelling by the hour of the global companies which have been having grueling experience since the outbreak of the Coronavirus also Once again, Africas force of nature, billionaire Femi Otedola has been honoured for his philanthropic activities on the continent. He was such a loving and civilised parent. By the time the military left power, things had become so bad and we had become steeped in our inequities. As Erelu, I know that the country has got several loans and grants to provide amenities such as potable water, yet those things are not in place. Over 30 monarchs, regents and royal blue bloods left their enclaves to celebrate with Erelu Dosunmu in Lagos. [36], Fernandez died on 1 September 2015, in Belgium, after an undisclosed illness of several months. Erelu Dosunmu also holds other traditional titles and honorary titles. Copyright PUNCH. My maternal grandmother bequeathed some beautiful Aso-Oke fabrics to me and that was how I developed my romance with Aso-Oke. Born in Kano into the royal family of Prince Adewunmi and Ajoke Dosunmu of Lagos Island, she studied Business Administration in London before delving into the world of business and fashion that skyrocketed her to the limelight. Nigerias Ambassador To Cote DIvoire, Isah Is Dead, Ifeoma Fafunwas Hear Word! It is a mixed bag but I think it has been more of missed opportunities. Dosunmu, the former wife of late Chief Dehinde Fernandez will be 70 in a few months time and she is showing no telltale of age. It has been quite easy and interesting. [5] His father was named Camut Akinwale or Kanut Akinwande Fernandez, born with the first name Yesufu, which he later changed. [18] They married in 2003 when he was 74, and lived in Brussels. You often speak fondly of your grandmother. Abimbola also said Halima was not considerate of Fernandez's wish to be buried in Nigeria with a state funeral, as Halima had arranged instead for a smaller service in Belgium, the funeral conducted with insulting insinuations aimed at Aduke, Abimbola's deceased mother. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Learn How much net worth Abiola is in this year and how she spend her expenses? (Queen mother of Lagos) and Yeye Oodua ( Queen mother) of Ife, Born a princess of the Lagos Royal family in 29TH July, 1947 to Omoba Adewunmi Dosunmu And Olori Adejoke Dosunmu. [4] In this capacity she serves as the ceremonial queen mother, and reigns as regent of Lagos upon the death of an incumbent monarch until a substantive successor is chosen by the college of kingmakers. The essence of both is to add value and as long as one is able to do that and one does ones best, there would be no problem. All rights reserved. Erelu Dosunmu and Ambassador Fernandez I have had opportunities to counsel women during electioneering and they often say that once a woman gets into public office, she distances herself from them and treats them like dirt.