Eminent Personalities Storm Ikenne As Bet9ja Boss, Kunle Soname Celebrates Mum At 90

Ninetieth year’s birthday celebration attracts so much attention in wishes, excitement, joy and love. Clocking 90 is indeed a milestone only a decade short of a century! It is a celebration that deserves a party in its exquisite elegance. However, for Madam Racheal Abisola Kofoworola Soname, it’s a celebration that truly shows the largeness, bigness and above all, the uniqueness of the nonagenarian at a very ripe age; her sense of importance and how much she’s really being taken care of by her loving children. For the BET9JA boss, Kunle Soname, celebrating his Mum’s birthday at 90 is a lot of fun with fulfillment.

Madam Rachael Abisola Kofoworola Soname JP looks radiant at 90 and her attainment of the milestone age couldn’t have come except by the special grace of the Almighty. The nonagenarian looks quite younger than her age, perhaps an indication that she spent her life and time well in wealth and good health. Her names are synonymous with wealth, an inclusiveness of goodwill, money, integrity and character in the family. But who is this nonagenarian? Deaconess Rachael Abisola Kofoworola Soname? Deaconess Rachael Abisola Kofoworola Soname, JP was born on the 16th of October 1929 into the family of Idowu Oyende and Madam Efunpero Oyende, being the last child of the five children of her parents. She was a beneficiary of free Adult Education Program organised by the Federal Government, under the supervision of Revd Atilade in Coates Street, Ebute Metta, Lagos. She also attended Evening Primary School at Saint Paul Catholic School in Muritala Mohammed Way, Ebute Metta Lagos.

Mama grew up under her mentor, who is fondly referred to as the Matriarch; Madam Erinola Salako and her elder sister, Madam Esther Olufunke Osidipe, hence her training to be a successful business woman started early in life. In 1953, she began her journey into the business world, trading in textiles at the popular Oyingbo Market in Ebute Metta, Lagos. In 1958, she ventured into Timber Business and Sawmilling Industry. Very focused and determined, she added so much diligence to the profession, though lucrative, but capital intensive, for about fifty (50) years. She later incorporated and managed Iya Akin Sawmills Limited. She retired from active sawmill business in December 2007. She met her heartthrob, Mathew Oyejoko Soname in the early 1950. Both were joined in Holy Matrimony on Christmas Day, 25th of December 1952 at Our Saviour’s Anglican Church, Ikenne. The couple lived peacefully without any regret in their marriage for over fifty(50) years, before her husband died on the 12th of July, 2003. The marriage was blessed with five( 5) successful and God-fearing children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

A devoted Christian raised from a Christian home, in1959 she became a full-fledged Methodist, having successfully gone through baptism and confirmation classes conducted by the late Revd I.O Oluwole at Williams Memorial Methodist Church, Ago-Ijaye, Ebute Metta,Lagos. She is one of the few surviving pioneer members of Christian Ladies Friendly Society in Ago-Ijaye church. She is also a very committed member of Mountain of Salvation Pentecostal Church in Ogudu, Lagos State. She is the Lady National Elder (Iya Ijo worldwide) and member of the Board of Trustees of the church and also Matron of many Associations or Societies or Fellowship in the church. Back home in Ikenne, is one of the founding members of Christian Daughters Society and Matron of Ladies
Friendly Society in Ikenne Methodist Church. She is a pillar in her Age Group (cultural) Society (Egbe Owonifaari) in Ikenne. She performed a Holy pilgrimage to The Holy land, Jerusalem in February 2007 in fulfillment of her interest in Christian journey and knowledge. So loving, kind, yet with great faith in prayer, Madam(Deaconess) Rachael Abisola Kofoworola Joname (JP), is a tree planted by rivers of water, that never withers. We all love to age gracefully like Mama Rachael Abisola Kofoworola Soname, but it might be easier if we know the technique she rightfully applies.

To her, aging gracefully does not mean cheerfully accepting gray hair and other physical changes, neither does it require staying eternally gorgeous as the years slide by. Soname realizes that although her body is aging, she makes her spirit grow stronger by not allowing too much of stress of worry. She dresses in current styles, adding a trendy piece to a classic outfit, thus looking good. She maintains muscle mass, which protects her from falling. She creates milestones and work towards them, for her the journey into old age is a growing experience.

For her, it is also about coping with the vicissitudes of aging with spirit, dignity and humour. She has learnt how to practice acceptance, knowing there is a very good chance that her mobility will lessen as she ages, perhaps a thought she made part of herself no wonder as the time comes, she is living fully. One enduring principle mama has also learnt is that as a retiree, being active in local organizations for older people, enhances capacity for motivation. Madam Rachael Abisola Kofoworola Soname nurtures her passion from streams of goals, projects to involvement with other people, at least she tries to contribute, getting out of the apartment, and her juices keep flowing. Attitude, perception and moving towards better things are what equally shape her as she understands that perception is reality and her attitude is in fact everything. The reality is, yes, she is getting older and not younger anymore, experiencing various emotional landmines, sometimes she is scared, and sometimes it just isn’ t easy. She refuses to get bodged down in negativity, pessimism and depression. This personal development equally defines Mama Soname and this is all what Madam Rachael Abisola Kofoworola Soname has fully occupied herself with in her old age.

Celebrating mama at 90 is all about honouring triumph over life challenges, the victory, success, survival and the enduring legacies that come all through. In addition, it’s about honouring the wisdom that comes with age, celebrating a life well-lived, and hoping for many happy years to come. Well-meaning Nigerians and dignitaries who attended the party include the incumbent Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, Honourable Minister of State for Health Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, Senator Anthony Adefuye, Honourable Minister for Youths and Sport Sunday Akin Dare, Major General Olaseni Soboiki, the Assistant Controller of Nigerian Customs among other eminent personalities across the board. The colourful event was enlivened by the Juju legend, King Sunny Ade and Queen Ayo Balogun; the choice of the venue is a plus coupled with the outfit or the choice of dress as well as good gesture of hospitality. Nothing really makes a birthday party memorable and glamorous than the choice of music by the legends, cake and good gesture of hospitality people receive. The happy birthday song appeals so much to the celebrator and the audience who echoed the lyrics. However, this piece of writing would not be complete without mentioning one of the famous children of the nonagenarian, Kunle Soname who is hailed as one of the major financiers of the celebration.

For the Bet9ja boss, Kunle Soname, celebrating his Mum’s birthday at 90 is indeed a fulfilling aspect of his life. Why celebrating a mother’s birthday? The conception to delivery with many years of nurturing from childhood to adulthood is a plus and indeed demands appreciation to such mother by any well trained and wonderful child. Mother’s love is the symbol of unconditional love, the epitome of all goodness in the world. Kunle Soname is the Bet9ja boss. He is a graduate of Lagos State University. He is a rising sports business man, doing well in his multimillionaire business. He was into politics and was elected as the Executive chairman of Ikosi-Isheri Local Council of Lagos State between 2003-2011. Bet9ja broke into the market by introducing offline play which turned out a reliable source of employment for Nigerian youths. Bet9ja has continue to improve its betting platform by introducing 100% reward for new customers as stake bonus upon registration, increased the potential winnings for betters to 40million, the highest so far in Nigeria and recently included cash out option. In 2015 Bet9ja became the official sponsor of the Nigeria Women’s Football League after a memorandum was signed between the two parties. He made Ex-super Eagles star player, Victor Ikpeba the brand ambassador.

Kunle Soname became the first national to own a European club when he acquired 70 percent of a second division Portuguese Football Club side called Clube Desportivo Feirenge in 2016 through his company called Tavisstock Global Resources Ltd. It’s with gladness the Bet9ja boss, Kunle Soname throws a superlative party for his Mum, celebrating his mother at 90 amidst so much fun and jubilation. May God bless the family more and give Mama Soname, long life and sound health.

– Editor

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