The  Joebol Exquisite International Achievements Recognition (JEIAR) Awards Dinner was billed as an event of Glittz, glamour, style and stars – an evening to mingle with achievers and people that matter – and it sure did live up to its promise.

The  event now in its second year is the brainchild of Bola and Joe Imuaphe. Both of them high fashion followers and Bola herself being a fashion designer and celebrity stylist.

The event started a bit late in the usual Nigerian fashion of attended not arriving on time but when it eventually started about half an hour late, it really did kick off. The venue, The London Room of the London Docklands Hotel was packed to the brim with a glitzy array of stars, celebrities and notable persons of Influence from both within and outside the Nigerian community.

Due to the late arrival of the MC. I had to unexpectedly step in as the event host later to be joined by non other than the legendary and iconic Adebayo AJ Jones, the world renowned Fashion Designer and King of Couture and we both had a whale of a time anchoring the event together to the high delight of the guests

The frocks and suits were simply out of this world. Both the ladies and the gents all went to great efforts and all turned out in the trendiest and most glamourous styles. It was really a fashionistas paradise.

Some of the celebs and VIP at the star studded event include Brit TV star Ellen Thomas, fashion Magazine Editor Sherry Ann Dixon who also won Female Community Leader of the Year Award, Women for Africa Founders Tola and Sam Onigbanjo, Boxing Champion Larry Ekundayo and his stunning wife, Dr Dayo Olomu and the ever so elegant wife Goddess Sade, Celebrity Coach and Trainer KB Davies, Society guy  Bayo Oyekan and former model and Socialite Funmi Cole, Solicitor and Founder of Nigerian Women In Diaspora Leadership Foum, Jenny Chica Okafor who won the Women Advocate Award, FORMER CANUK Chairman Chief Bimbo Folayan Roberts, Former Mayors of Enfield Kate Anolue and Adedamola Aminu with his ife, Top TV Presenter Priscilla Nwikpo, Royal Princesses Deun Adedoyin Solarin nad Toyin Onagoruwa, NigerianWatch Editor Ayo Akinfe and his partner Morenike Elohor-Oni, Bespoke Fashion Designer Kwame Boateng, and many more fabulous people.

There was about half a dozen photographers and paparazzi and bulbs flashed endlessly.

Among the award winners were Ayan De First for Cultural Heritage Promotion, Comedianne Starlyne Ada who flew in from Paris (Emerging Actress of the Year), Jummy Hussain of Junique Events (Best Hospitality Outfit), Ronke Phillips (Female Media Personality) and Karen Kaur (Model of the Year) Fabio Abraham (Actor of the Year) and Joey Bevan (Male Fashion Stylist Of the Year.

Eastenders, law & Order UK, Holby City Actress Elllen Thomas won the Female Lifetime Achievement Award and Cllr Ade Aminu won Male Community Leader of the Year Award.

The highlight of the event which was organised with absolutely no corporate backing or financial sponsorship, was the launching and unveiling of the Joebol Exquisites Fashion and Lifestyle Magazine. A sum of just under £2,000 was raised by community leaders and other guests at the event towards the production of the glossy and fully loaded publication.

Jummy Ariyo

September 2015

Photos credit: Bayo Oyekan