The city of Abuja is still reeling from the huge number of guests, made up of the upper crust of the society, that flew in from all the major cities i
The city of Abuja is still reeling from the huge number of guests, made up of the upper crust of the society, that flew in from all the major cities in Nigeria and outside the shores of the country, in celebration of the birthday milestone of fashion designer, Seyi Adekunle more popularly known as Seyi Vodi, this past weekend.
Captured below is what went down
Tour of Vodi Towers
Weeks before the two-day celebrations, Seyi officially threw the doors of Vodi Towers, his humongous headquarters for his fashion empire, Vodi brand, open. The edifice painted in the green and white national colours is worth billions of naira. The edifice which has an elevator, a cinema, a night club, a swimming pool etc is segmented to accommodate the different brands under the Vodi Group. He hosted various dignitaries from politicians to businessmen to clergymen to journalists as he took them on an expedition of the headquarters which is located at Mabushi area of Abuja.
The praise night
On Friday July 18, Seyi hosted the creme of society to an evening praise party, to give thanks to God for how far he has come in life from his days of humble beginnings. His guests adhered to the dress code of white as they made their way to the newly renovated and renamed Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre which was transformed into a haven of white. Rows of white chairs, gold lighting, and soft LED pin lights created a cosy but luxurious atmosphere. A giant portrait of Seyi Vodi dominated the stage, framed in gold accents, while indoor sparklers and fog effects added drama to key moments. From the moment guests stepped onto the red carpet, the evening was filled with music, dancing, worship, and heartfelt moments that reflected the celebrant’s spirit of gratitude.
The singers and the preachers
Gospel singers, Tope Alabi and Adeyinka Alaseyori, set the tone for the night with soul-stirring praise sessions. Their performances were followed by that of other gospel artists. Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo of Commonwealth of Zion Assembly, COZA and Pastor Isaac Oyedepo, the second son of Bishop David Oyedepo prayed for the celebrant while charging him to prepare for his next level of greatness.
The party proper
On Saturday July 19, the party proper kicked off. Guests strolled into the same Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in their green aso ebi lace. The venue was beautifully decorated with informal sitting arrangements.
The masters of ceremony
To steer proceedings at the party were Nollywood actress and producer, Funke Akindele and a prominent master of ceremony based in Abuja.
Music supply
King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal aka KWAM1, Evangelist Ebenezer Obey, Timi Dakolo, Nnaemeka Okorie aka Patoranking belted out tunes from their repertoire to the delight of guests.
Prayer time
Just before the event kicked off, Bishop David Abioye led the guests in prayers for Seyi. Days before, he had privately visited the revered Bishop who used to be the vice president of the Living Faith Church worldwide aka Winners Chapel, to personally invite him and to receive prayers from him.
Highlights of the party
One of the highlights of the party was Seyi’s unique walking stick, a wood contraption carved into a scissors. Another highlight of the party was the huge gold cake which was the sculpture of a man sitting at his sewing machine.
The surprise birthday gift
The celebrant who has worked very hard to build his fashion empire and according to him, never taken a vacation for as long as he can remember gifted himself a 2025 Rolls Royce Cullinan Series 2 worth $700, 000, about N1,090,000,000.
The guest list
The guest list at the party read like a who is who. Notable among the attendees were the former President of Liberia, George Weah; governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State; the Ooni of Ife, Kabiyesi Adeyeye Ogunwusi; Senator Adams Oshiomole; Seyi Tinubu Jide Kosoko, Sola Sobowale, Kate Henshaw, Dayo Amusa, Dino Melaye, Shina Peller, Stanley Uzoukwu among many others.
The embarrassment that is the Bola Tinubu Conference Centre
Attendees at the party complained of how stuffy the conference centre is despite the huge resources expended to renovate it.One of those who publicly voiced out his concern was lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju. He criticized the deplorable condition of the Center despite its refurbishment at N39 billion by the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike.
“I attended Seyi Vodi party yesterday at ICC and I felt so sorry for this country. The air conditioning was not working, and I am convinced that N5 billion was not put into the place for repairs. At most N3bn was put in it. What happened at that place cannot be called anything else other than a scam,” he said.
Similarly, Isaac Fayose, the younger brother of Ayodele Fayose, the former governor of Ekiti State berated the poor working conditions of the facilities at the ICC. He specifically called out the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC who was a guest at the party and asked him to if the place looked like N39 billion was spent on the supposed renovations.
“@officialefcc chairman you were at @seyivodi party yesterday at ICC now Bola Ahmed Tinubu center and you saw the 39 billion renovations. Does the place look like a N39 billion place? I was sweating like Christmas goat inside the place. FCT minister must be probed now for wasting taxpayers’ money.”
About Seyi Adekunle
Known for being the only Nigerian fashion designer who has made clothes and is still making clothes for over five African presidents, diplomats, politicians and very important personalities. Seyi is widely celebrated for his innovative approach to bespoke tailoring. He began the tailoring business while undergoing his mandatory national youth service in Akwa Ibom State some 23 years ago. He befriended some tailors in the town and learnt how to sew from them. He started with sewing shirts and boxers for his colleagues who were his first clients. He then registered his company in 2001 as Testimony Fabrics but eventually changed the name to Vodi in 2003 as he wanted a name that was shorter and more African. Today his company, Vodi Group has expanded to include Vodi Tailors, Vodi Clean, Vodi Training Institute, Vodi Debbo, Vodi Shoes and Vodi Textile.
