As an accounting legend, insurance broker and socialite, Chief Muniru Olatunde Longe is used to fraternising top professionals and dignitaries. But the crowd assembled at his 85th birthday celebration on Saturday 27 January truly glittered as they shared memories, laughs, and even a few tears. It was a splurge of festivities at the Darlington Hall in Ilupeju, Lagos, where family members, friends, top government functionaries and professional colleagues gathered to celebrate this respected elder statesman and great administrator’s landmark birthday. Also among the guests were numerous members of top Lagos social clubs like Island Club, Yoruba Tennis Club and Metropolitan Club—the celebrant is a member of all the clubs.
On hand were all his highly successful children led by London-based insurance professional, Mrs. Morayo Alalade and her other siblings including Bunmi Olawale, Deji Longe and Dewunmi Edosio. They spare no cost in making the event a glamorous one and ensured their beloved dad had a memorable birthday shindig. The whole arrangements were just on point. The food, drinks, music coupled with the quality of personalities that attended the party, no doubt, made it a classic one.
Chief Longe was born on 26 January, 1939 in Lagos Island. His dad was Chief Sulaimon Longe (the 1st Aare Egbe Omo Timi of Ede) and mother was Alhaja Nimotali Abeke Longe nee Folami. Chief Longe, the Asiwaju Aare Egbe Omo Timi of Ede attended Anwar-Ul-Islam College Agege Lagos from 1956 to 1960. He left for England in March 1962. While in London, he qualified as chartered accountant, chartered secretary, and became an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (ACIB). He later worked in various establishments until 1967 when he started his professional career with Glanvill Enthoven. In 1969, he was seconded to Nigeria where he continued working at Glanvill Enthoven until his retirement in December 1997 as the company’s first appointed Nigerian Managing Director.