Beauty entrepreneur Tara Fela-Durotoye has been honoured with the Royal Order of Iwere (ROI) by the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, CFR.
The founder of House of Tara International received the recognition on Saturday, at the Olu’s palace in Warri, Delta State, during the monarch’s fourth coronation anniversary.
Instituted in 2024, the Royal Order of Iwere is one step below chieftaincy titles in the Warri Kingdom. It recognises men and women who have distinguished themselves in integrity, hard work, and positive impact on society.
Speaking about the award, a note from the organisers described Tara as someone who has “done more than build businesses; she has built trust. Integrity is the rarest currency in the marketplace, and today it was rewarded with honour.”
It added: “They say a prophet is not honoured in their own home. But today we saw the exception. This is not just recognition, it is proof that character compounds. And beside her, as always, stood her supportive husband, Fela Durotoye. Robust lives are built in pairs, not in isolation.”
Other recipients of the award include former president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, Dr. Helen Boyo-Ekwueme, Dr. Ebi Omatsola, Mr. Oti Ikomi, Mrs. Eva Omaghomi, and Dr. Godwin Ebosa.
On Sunday, Tara shared a video of scenes from the event on Instagram with the caption: “What a glorious day it was … Thank you all for the congratulatory messages. I read them all and I’m grateful to have shared this moment with you all 🙏. As the Itsekiris will say, ‘Modokpe.’”
Other recipients include former president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, Dr. Helen Boyo-Ekwueme, Dr. Ebi Omatsola, Oti Ikomi, Eva Omaghomi and Dr. Godwin Ebosa.
Tara, 47, is regarded as a pioneer in Nigeria’s beauty industry. A lawyer by training, she launched House of Tara in 1998 and later opened the country’s first makeup studio and academy. Her company today boasts over 20 stores, several beauty schools, and thousands of representatives across Africa.
She is married to business strategist and public speaker Fela Durotoye. The couple have three sons.
