February 27, (THEWILL) – When he began the countdown to his 40th birthday some weeks ago, many were indeed shocked to discover that Emeka Okonkwo, fondly called E-Money by his friends and associates, the younger brother to popular singer, Kingsley Okonkwo, aka Kcee, would be clocking 40 years. This was understandable, considering his achievements in the business world, the way and manner he carried himself, coupled with his wealth and popularity. IVORY UKONU captures the details of his lavish party, held on Saturday, February 19 at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos, which was nothing short of a carnival.
The man, Emeka Okonkwo:
He wasn’t born into affluence, but by dint of hard work and determination, he has been able to rewrite the story of his very humble beginning and that of his family. From being a freight agent at the Apapa wharf, E-Money successfully built his business empire, the Five Star Group, which has investments in oil and gas, shipping, real estate, hospitality, entertainment, philanthropy, etc.
The traditional car gifts
A tradition he began a few years ago, E-Money gave out luxury vehicles, about a week to his birthday to some staff of his companies and some other worthy and deserving individuals. The cars included posh SUVs and state-of-the-art saloon cars. As usual, his only brother, Kcee, presented the cars to the recipients on his behalf.
The Elegushi pre-birthday dinner
A week to the party, Oba Saheed Elegushi hosted E-Money, members of his family and friends to an intimate pre-birthday dinner at his palace. This gesture went a long way to show just how much the monarch respects and values the businessman. Oba Elegushi also made sure to attend the major party decked in a black suit and his signature bowler hat.
On Zubby Michael’s naira rain
A few days to the birthday proper, Nollywood actor, Zubby Michael, who recently spent a whopping sum of N8.9m for a few hours during his birthday celebration, pulled up at E-Money’s house with an entourage to felicitate with him. While they made merry, Zubby who considers himself the richest Nollywood actor, went on a spraying spree on E-Money. He made it rain so much that the celebrant almost got embarrassed by the sheer magnitude of the cash on display. THEWILL reliably gathered that, that was Zubby’s own way of reciprocating E-Money’s past kindness to him.
The invitation card
Simply designed with an access card attached to it, which also came with a bar code, the invitation card was one of the most sought-after items after premium motor spirit.
The celebrant’s surprise entry
In line with the theme of the party, E-Money made his way into the hall, where his guests were already waiting and eager to see him, in one of his Rolls Royce vehicles, from beneath the floor of the hall. Once the contraption on which the Rolls Royce was placed on, rolled up and rested on the floor of the party hall, the first son of the celebrant came down from the vehicle and ushered his father out of the car to the delight of guests.
A commotion of private jets
Despite the biting fuel scarcity, the hangar of the Lagos airport was a commotion of private jets which ferried guests into the commercial city from Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu and Anambra State. Most of the guests arrived a day before the party while a handful came in on the day of the party.
Orji Uzor Kalu chaired the party
The Senate Chief Whip and presidential aspirant on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress, took time off his campaign to attend the party in company with some of his male and female friends. Dressed in a suit, according to the party dress code, OUK, as he is fondly called, chaired the party.
Major-General Olu Bajowa (retd.) was father of the day
Prince Joseph Oluyemi Bajowa, OFR, a retired Major-General of the Nigerian Army and E-Money’s godfather, was at the party as father of the day. In his heartfelt prayers for E-Money, he lavished praises on the celebrant who he described as a humble, respectful, hardworking and generous being, who he had no regrets whatsoever adopting as his son, despite E-Money being of Igbo extraction. He enjoined E-Money to continue in the path he had chosen and to be careful about getting carried away by his fortune, adding that he should continue to use his wealth for community development, humanitarian deeds, to help the less privileged, the widows and the aged.
Igwe Chukwudinigbo Agwunna’s grand entry
Chukwudinigbo Agwunna, the Igwe of Enugwu Ukwu kingdom, the Akaji Ofo Nri and Mkpume Azaoku, stormed the venue of the party in his lavish royal paraphernalia accompanied by a large entourage including his beautician/socialite wife, Nina Agwunna. Many were awed not only by his imposing height, but also by the cultural and royal display he showed off.
Ifeanyi Ubah partied hard
Judging by the disposition of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah at the party, the businessman and former Anambra governorship candidate of the Youth Progressive Party, has obviously moved on from his failure at the 2021 governorship polls as he was all out to have undiluted fun. A long-time friend and supporter of E-Money, Ubah stayed almost to the end of the party.
Obi Cubana honoured his friend
Although Obinna Iyiegbu, otherwise known as Obi Cubana, may have taken the ordeal he recently suffered in the hands of the operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in his stride, E-Money’s birthday party afforded him the opportunity to really unwind. This is moreso, as he couldn’t make it to the pre-birthday dinner with Oba Elegushi, who is incidentally his personal friend.
Prophet Chukwuemeka Odumeje’s naira rain
The controversial cleric put his Onitsha-based church proceedings on hold to attend E-Money’s birthday party. Perhaps, he must have thought he was on his pulpit where money rain is also part of his church culture, as he made it rain endlessly during the party.
Okwudili Umenyiora buries hatchet with E-Money
They used to be very close buddies a few years ago until they had a disagreement and were no longer on speaking terms. Both men vehemently refused to talk about what caused the strain in their relationship. But in a move to get back at E-Money, Okwudili, who is unable to step on US soil over allegations of credit card fraud, set up a music record label, Dilly Records and signed up Presh, one half of the former singing duo of KcPresh. Presh and Kcee, E-Money’s older brother, were both signed to Five Star record label owned by E-Money before Presh parted ways with Kcee and the record label over undisclosed reasons. Well the deal between Presh and Dilly was dead on arrival. Anyway Dilly as he is fondly called, was at E-Money’s party with his wife, Fifi on the latter’s invitation. The couple were reserved all through their stay at the party.
Belly dancers imported to add spice
Belly dancers were imported to add spice to the party. Their dance steps set the stage for the arrival of the celebrant and his family.
The lineup of artistes
As earlier stated, the party was designed as a carnival and it lived up to its billing. Artiste after artiste stormed the stage to thrill the celebrant and his guests. From Davido to Flavour N’Abania, Patoranking, Teni, Phyno, Perruzzi, Skiibii, a former signee to E-Money’s record label, Five Star Music and a host of live bands.
Harrysong conspicuously absent
Singer and songwriter, Harrison Tare Okiri, aka Harrysong, not only didn’t wish his former record label boss a happy birthday, he also didn’t attend the party. This obviously means that Harrysong, E-Money and his brother, Kcee are yet to bury their grievances which almost tore Five Star Music apart. Years ago, Harrysong attempted to exit the record label before the expiration of his contract with the record label, a situation that resulted in Harrysong getting locked up and nerves getting frayed.
Nollywood well represented
He isn’t an actor, nor does he play in that sector but players in Nollywood have benefited immensely from E-Money’s generosity. Little wonder they turned up in large numbers to honour him.
Roll call of guests
Monarchs, captains of industries, business moguls etc. all jostled to have a piece of E-Money at his party.
Ivory Ukonu is a versatile journalist with many years of experience, with entertainment and society reporting as her area of core competence.
