In the Yoruba Culture, Alaga (Iduro and Ijokoo) are professional masters of Yoruba traditional marriage ceremonies. Through various musical performances, they conduct Yoruba traditional marriage ceremonies to the pleasure of both family members, friends and guests.
However, with the birth of The Exceptional Alaga Conference (TEA Conference) over 5 years ago, the industry has evolved tremendously and is now a segment of the event industry to be reckoned with. The Exceptional Alaga Conference is a premium conference dedicated to building the capacity of upcoming and professional Alagas in order to equipment them for globalization and collaborations within the industry. Building on the success of the previous editions, the fifth edition of The Exceptional Alaga Conference was aptly themed: Limitless- “Expanding your Horizons’, The convener of The Exceptional Alaga Conference, multiple award winning Traditional compere, Author, Speaker, Dr. Abiola Olaluwakitan Deborah in her welcome speech, told the participants that all the well-chosen Speakers with and array of experience speaker who deeply in their diverse areas and specializations in the Event industry would be sharing practical knowledge of how they will be to break the norm, overcome barriers and rise above peculiar circumstances that could have limited their influence, visibility and breakthrough.
Speaking on the theme: LIMITLESS… Expanding your Horizons, Temitope Tinubu, global event planner, trainer, coach, founder and lead planner at White Orange Management, a versatile event management company brought her experience to bear in unpacking the theme of the Conference. This was followed by Mrs. Temitope Olaooto, Atalnta-based multiple award winning Alaga with class literally opened the eyes of the delegates when she spoke on the topic: Exploring the Diaspora Event Market & Destination Events– A critical understanding of what is obtainable abroad.
The Conference also had celebrity caterer, Mr. Jumbo Victory, CEO- Eats By Celebrazioni Ltd, fired the imagination of the delegates on the topic: Launching Organically into the Luxury Event Market, while Mrs. Adedolapo Amoke Lawal CEO, OYOMESI ALAGA with over 25 years’ experience of nurturing her brand in the Alaga Industry tutored the delegates on the topic: Thriving Beyond Generational Limitation in a Saturated and Competitive Business Terrain- A case study of the Oyemesi Brand. The Conference ended with the Energygod himself, Mr. Hammed Olajide CEO, Jide Gold Alaga, firing up the energy levels of the delegates before delivering his paper on the topic: Catching the GEN-Z bug- Serving peculiar clients in the typical Nigerian Cultural Ecosystem.
Another highpoint of the conference was the dinner and awards presented to individuals who had distinguished themselves in their various fields. The dinner, which also served as the birthday celebration of the Founder, Dr. Abiola Olaluwakitan Deborah featured the launch of her book titiled: THE EXCEPTIONAL ALAGA, a very detailed book on the marriage practices of different tribes and cultures. Speaking at the book unveiling ceremony, the Lead Launcher, the amiable and dynamic Mrs. Bolatito Okolie of Bonix Drinks and Entertainment, praised the courage of the Author for going ahead to writ the book despite the challenges.
The colorful night, with so much to eat and drink also featured the investiture of Lanre Ajose, as the Patron/Lead/Advisory Committee for The Exceptional Alagas Tribe 2024/2026 as well as industry awards to well-deserved individuals who have distinguished themselves in their respective field of endeavours. They are:
- Adedamola R. Kasunmu, Deputy Majority Leader, Lagos State House of Assembly
- Cornelia Ogunlaja, CEO, Onododo Alaga
- Aderemi Feremi, CEO, Unique Train Alaga
- Abidemi G.Adeniji, CEO, De Omega
- Remilekun M. Adelabu, CEO, Remmy Chanter
- Iyalode Bosede Daramola, (Iyalode General of Ibarapa Land)
- Adefunke Kuyoro, CEO, TWC Events Services.
- Kunle Adeyemi, Lecturer, Visual Artist, Clergy Rev. Deji Olabode, Lead Pastor, The Enthronement Assembly.
- Oluwakemi O. Lawal, CEO, Justfaahedah
The Dinner and Award night ended with Special Tribe Awards to the following distinguished members of The Exceptional Alaga Tribe:
Exceptionally Resourceful Member.
Mrs Shomade Victoria
Asabi okin Alaga
Exceptionally Supportive member.
Kehinde sholabomi-Toye
Twinx Konsult.
Exceptionally Active member
Obahor Adebukola Adetoun
ALAGA ABONIREYO
Exceptional Head of Department
Mrs Ariyibi Cathryn
(AYINKOLO ALAGA)
Exceptional Admin of the week.
Mrs Olaitan Ekunola.
OYINNI ALAGA.
Exceptional performance in Arts and culture
Adams Olajumoke Zainab
JUMLAD ALAGA.
Exceptional Elder of the Year.
Mrs. Taiwo Odejayi
SPECIAL ALAGA.
Exceptionally Improved Member
Mrs Funmilayo Sodeinde
TEAR RUBBER PRODUCTION
Exceptional Accountability partners of the Cohort (2 awards)
OLAMOLU KUBRAT KBEE ALAGA and Mrs Bolatito Raji ALAGA TO FOCUS.
SPECIAL TRIBE APPRECIATION AWARD.
Mrs Adenike Orimolade
Ewajesu AlagaIyawo.
SPECIAL TRIBE APPRECIATION AWARD.
Coach Adetunji Ajadi
Principal, Busy Bee Academy.
SPECIAL TRIBE APPRECIATION AWARD.
Mr Oluwaseun Ogungbadero
CEO Moontop Events
The Exceptional Alaga Conference 5.0 must have come and gone, but the participants are still leveraging on the insights from the event to anchor their event with a different.
