When Families and Friends Celebrated Accounting Legend, Muniru Longe, at 85

As an Accounting legend, insurance broker and socialite, Chief Muniru Longe is used to fraternising with top professionals and dignitaries. And so the crowd that assembled at his 85th birthday celebration on Saturday, January 27 truly glittered as they shared memories, laughter, 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. Among the guests were numerous members of top Lagos social clubs like the Island Club, Yoruba Tennis Club and Metropolitan Club — the celebrant is a member of all the clubs.

All his highly successful children were in attendance, led by London-based Insurance Professional, Mrs. Morayo Alalade and her other siblings, including Bunmi Olawale, Deji Longe and Dewunmi Edosio. They spared no cost in making the event a glamorous one and ensured their beloved dad had a memorable birthday shindig. The whole arrangement was just on point. The food, drinks, and music coupled with the quality of personalities that attended the party, no doubt, made it a classic one.

 Chief Longe was born on January 26, 1939, in Lagos Island. His dad was Chief Sulaimon Longe (the 1st Aare Egbe Omo Timi of Ede) and his 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 earned his Associateship 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.