Top Juju/Highlife Singer, Big Tee Stages Talk Of The Town Album Launch In Abeokuta

As City People Entertainment Honours Him

Though the year 2017 is still in its early stage, but Saheed Ojubanire Online can report to you authoritatively that one of the best showbiz events of the year yet, has been staged in Abeokuta, Ogun State. The date was Sunday, 26th February, 2017, the venue was the prestigious Daktad Hotel and Suites, off Quarry Road, and the event was the album launch of soaring Juju/Highlife crooner, Taiwo Oguntade better known as Big Tee Elesemeta.

Unlike most events of its ilk when the pre-event hype would dwarf the event proper, that was not the case when the charismatic Big Tee launched his album titled: " Gratitude" as the launching lived far beyond expectations in terms of planning, organization and the eventual delivery.

With two of the best hands in the business of compering high profile events in Ogun State in the persons of Musiliu Sanni better known as Mr. Bebe and Wale Dada The Good manning the stage, the event began with expected preambles of comical and musical performances on the stage.

Apart from the main MCs cracking the ribs of the audience with inimitable jokes, other humour merchants like Dapo Enle Daddy and Adekunle Anibaba a.k.a. MC NDA, also came up stage to spice things up with more jokes. Meanwhile, talented singer, A.M.O. Musical set the tone for a relay of musical performances as the likes of Lord's Kenge, Ayan Jesu and few others exchanged the microphone after him, like a baton, to put the audience in the right frame of mind for an entertaining outing.

For the main event to take off effectively, the Chairman of the Organising Committee, Akinyemi Olatoye better known as Alawiye Federation, who had earlier stood in for the MCs to engage the audience who arrived early, was called upon to give a Welcome Address. And trust the articulate Chairman of the Ogun State chapter of Freelance and Independent Broadcasters' Association of Nigeria (FIBAN), he did so articulately with a good sense of humour and honour for everyone who spared the time to come celebrate with Big Tee.

After a few recognition of digniteries in the midst was later taken by the MCs, the launching proper had to begin. But before then, the foremost entertainment promoting platform in Nigeria, City People Entertainment which supported the event had something special for Big Tee. And it was a Special Recognition Award for his immense contribution to the growth of Juju/ Highlife Music in Ogun State, Nigeria. The prestigious award was personally presented to Big Tee by the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of City People Magazine, Dr. Seye Kehinde, who arrived very early to be part of the event.

Afterwards, the launching part of the event began in earnest as dignitaries, starting with Engr. Mutiu Adebowale (MT), the outgoing president of Abeokuta Sports Club, the Chief Launcher, began to launch the new album generously. But a former Commissioner for Youths and Sports in Ogun State, Hon. Bukola Olopade better known as Ozogula, who currently operate in the private sector, stole the show when it was his turn to launch as the Chairman of the event. After he had pledged a very substantial sum by himself to launch the album, he further launched the album on behalf of who referred to as "the future governor of Ogun State," Senator Adeola Olamilekan (Yayi), with a sum of two thousand dollars which he paid in raw cash immediately!

Others who generously launched the new album included: Dr. Taiwo Sogunle, Mr. Kehinde Osifade, Dr. Alayaki, Mr. Yinka Fisher, Sir Demola Aladekomo, Prof. Bayo Akinde, Chief Ogo-Oluwa Bankole, Mr. Akeem Adeola, Engnr. Alexander Madoye, Hon. Adijat Oladapo and few others.

While the event was going, guests were already being treated to sumptuous meals of Amala, Semo, Jollof and Fried Rice, according to their choices and there assorted alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages to wash the meals down. And unlike in many other album launch, there was no selective serving of food or a case of no food for not wearing the chosen wine colour dominated Ankara aso-ebi. Everybody got served and some event ate twice despite the hall bring filled to capacity.

There was cutting of cake in celebration of the new album as coordinated by Dr. Seye Kehinde while Big Tee was flanked by amiable wife, Ozogula and the newly elected FIBAN President, Desmond Abiodun Nwachukwu as they all held the knife to the cake. And right after the cake was cut, talented artiste, Alayo Melody Singer mounted the stage to sing for Big Tee and his guests. The microphone was later taken over by lewd singer, Snt. Janet before the event was brought to a close late in the evening.

Others who graced the event apart from those mentioned already were Lukdab, Wole Papa, Ogodo Jesu, Mr. Beula, Chelsea Bobo, Tantala, Makinde Fasunle, Yemisi Bangbose, Eniola Sodiya, Jaske Mama, Boye Best, Rafiu Dangote and a host of others.