During the weekend, Nollywood actress, Nkechi Blessing, set social media on fire when she shared dildos as souvenirs to female guests that attended her mother’s one-year remembrance. Mostly, she received criticism for her “act of kindness”.
Recently, party organisers have formed the habit of gifting their guests souvenirs ranging from live chicken to dildos and packaged pepper. To this effect, Newsbreak Nigeria brings you a list of 10 weirdest souvenirs ever distributed at Nigerian parties.
Dildo
Nigerian movie star Nkechi Blessing on Monday made the news after she shared dildos as souvenirs to female guests that attended her mother’s one-year remembrance. While her decision to give out dildos to the attendees of her mother’s remembrance wasn’t illegal in any way, the actress was heavily criticized for choosing to give out sex toys at a public event.
Life Chicken
In February 2022, another movie star Alesh Sanni was in shock while revealing that he got live chicken as souvenir at a function. The young actor captured the moment he received an unusual memento on camera and uploaded it to his Instagram story channel while attending a party in Lagos.While someone tried to tie a pink ribbon around a live chicken, Alesh, who could not contain his excitement or surprise, was holding it.
Liters of Petrol
A video that went viral in February showed partygoers being given litres of fuel at the Erelu Okin Installation Foundation Party. The video was released at a time when the nation was experiencing a severe fuel shortage, despite the fact that the development was roundly criticized. While condemning the situation, the Lagos state government promised to look into the video and hold those accountable for the risky action. However, reports stated that the fuel liters were given out at the coronation celebration of a fashion stylist named Chidinma Ogulu as the Erelu Okin of Orile Kemta.
However, Gbenga Omotosho, the commissioner for information for the state of Lagos, stated that the action is risky and may result in the loss of lives and property, adding that “all parties to this reprehensible act” must be held accountable.
iPhone
A video showing iPhones being given out as mementos from the wedding of Nigeria’s President’s son, Yusuf Buhari trended online in August 2021. The iPhone phones, according to the poster, were given out to attendees at the president’s son dinner. Over 700 people attended, including governors and other well-known Nigerians.
Each souvenir is said to include a customized iPhone 12 Pro Max, one of the recent models of iPhone, which is currently selling for N589,000, an Apple iPad, which costs N645,000, and other items. According to conservative estimates, each pack of souvenirs will cost N1.7 million, bringing the total amount spent on just the souvenirs to over N1 billion. The president came under heavy criticism by Nigerians who saw the souvenir as a waste of the country’s resources.
Car
At their lavish wedding in 2017, a wealthy Nigerian couple reportedly gave two lucky guests brand-new cars worth £14,000. The couple reportedly gave away two brand new Toyota cars in a raffle draw on November 18. After conducting a raffle draw, the car was given at the lavish wedding between businessman Kenneth Oboku and Nigerian interior designer Ehi Ogbebor that took place in Benin City. The development had kept tongues wagging as many wished to be in the shoes of the recipient of the luxury cars.
Microwave
Also at the wedding between Kenneth Oboku and Nigerian interior designer Ehi Ogbebor, it was reported that other attendees who were unlucky at the raffle didn’t go home empty handed as they were given microwave machines to make up for the cars they couldn’t win.
Pepper
At Iyabo Ojo’s mother’s one-year memorial ceremony, popular Nigerian movie star Toyin Abraham shared an unusual gift item, which made headlines ten months ago. Instead of the customary non-perishables, Toyin gave guests bags of pepper. The peppers were put inside gift bags that had a picture of Iyabo’s late mother on them.
Travel Box
On Saturday, March 17, 2018, Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote gave out his daughter’s hand in marriage to Jamil, son of ex-inspector general of police Mohammed Abubakar. at the lavish wedding ceremony that took place at the International Conference Centre in Abuja, attendees went home with brand new traveling boxes as souvenirs. The travel boxes were organized and ribbon-tied.
Herbs
A socialite named Mrs. Abiola Ojiekwu revealed to Punch Newspaper that she received some herbs in a container as a gift some time in 2016. In what seem to be a very unsual souvenir, the socialitie believed that the sovenir was handed to the party attendees to cleanse their digestive system of pile of food they might have consumed at the event.
“In 2016 at a wedding in Ibadan, Oyo State, one of the souvenirs we received was herb for pile in a container. We laughed when the kegs were handed over to us. We eventually took it home, with the belief that it was meant to flush out the system after the several foods taken at the event,” she said.
Plaintain, Yam and Groundnut Oil
In November 2021, when plantain was expensive, a socialite, Hajia Wazeela, also known as Poshgbemmy on Instagram, shared her joy after being given plantain, yam, and vegetable oil as a souvenir at a party.
“It is souvenirs that you cannot comprehend that they share (sic) at Lagos parties now.” Very sure breakfast! I forgot to add vegetable oil, some people shared yam too but it didn’t get to my table. What Lagos people won’t share as souvenirs does not exist,’’ she wrote.
While some party souvenirs may appear strange and out of place, event orgaorganisers free to distribute whatever they see fit as souvenirs to their party attendees, as it is not a mandatory effort but simply a way of thanking those who attended the event.
Discussion about this post