From Emmanuel Uzor, Awka
What could only be likened to the mood of the people at the Bolten White Event centre Abuja, the venue of the traditional marriage between the son of Senator Uche Ekwunife, Mr. Larry Ekwunife Jnr and his heartthrob, former Miss Jessica Ojiego was a electrifying moment.
It was a gathering of men and women of means, friends and we'll wishers of Senator Uche Ekwunife drawn from various sectors among which were politicians, business men, security experts, captains of industry and from academia.
Not long into the commencement of the business of the day while dignatories kept surging in, the occasion assumed the status of a presidential occasion with highly placed individuals struggling to have seats in the fully occupied and over populated event hall.
The event which started with the solemn performance of igbo traditional marriage rites saw the groom blazing in the aura of a man, accompanied by his parents, Chief Larry Ekwunife and wife, Senator Uche Ekwunife and kinsmen from the Ancient Nri kingdom.
Parents of the bride, Chief and Mrs. Julian Ojiego of Osumenyi community in Nnewi South local government area of Anambra State and their kinsmen were also on ground to receive their son-in-law.
As customary in Igbo setting, the bride, Miss Jessica Ekenemchukwu Ojiego, beautifully adorned in the glorious wedding apparels made her first appearance by welcoming her suitors and introducing them to her parents.
A significant part of the ceremony was that many people who probably got to know about the event which was earlier planned to be in a low key stormed the venue with various gift items and cash in both local and foreign currencies.
Significant also was a certain woman who stormed the venue with truck loads of Africa fruit package which was unsolicited and was shared to the wedding guests as part of efforts to assist Ekwunife and family on the occasion.
As the couple danced to the intermittent music hits from the stable of the DJ, guests who could not hold back their joy and admiration for Ekwunife and her family rained gifts and cash on the couple.
The atmosphere was a convocation of Nigerians who came to bear witnesses to the ceremony which marked the official marriage between the two young couple
Apparently informed by Ekwunife's penchant for attending other persons' events and her unwavering disposition to giving, they showered the couple with expensive gifts and cash in both naira and foreign currencies.
Prominent Nigerians who came to witness the occasion all had one impression on the mother of the groom, Senator Uche Ekwunife as a woman who has always shown compassionate disposition to others in their moments of joy and grief.
Among the first callers to the event were prominent Nigerians from all works of life including serving and former governors, ministers, business moguls and from the accademia.
Speaking on the occasion, the wife of the former President of Nigeria, Mrs. Patience Jonathan said marriage is a special assignment to continue God's creation on earth and called on the new couple to tolerate each other in love.
Mrs. Jonathan further admonished the couple to activate their love for each other, renewing their love for each other in Christ, leveraging on the successful marriage of their parents.
She commended Senator Ekwunife and family for raising their son and guiding him to the path of maturity, adding that roles of parents in children upbringing is very vital to a healthy society.
Former Governor of Abia State and Senator representing Abia North senatorial zone, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu was at the event to celebrate with the Ekwunife family on the successful traditional wedding of their son.
Kalu who eulogized Senator Ekwunife for being a mother and leader described her as woman whose milk of human compassion never runs dry. While praying for the new couple, the former governor enjoined them to develop their inner peace to understand themselves.
Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State who was the Father of the day enjoined the couple to love each other and live in peace every day, bearing the mark of Christ who is the prince of peace.
Represented by the deputy Governor, Princess Patricia Obila, the governor described Ekwunife as a woman who has always shown compassion and love equally to everyone. She said the overwhelming crowd at the traditional marriage ceremony was evident in the way Ekwunife has supported others.
"We are here to celebrate with the family of our our brother Chief Larry Ekwunife and his beautiful wife, Senator Uche Ekwunife on the occasion of their son's traditional marriage. This is just a traditional marriage and this hall could not contain Nigerians who are still struggling to be part of this historic occasion.
"This is to tell Senator Ekwunife that she is a crowd pulling woman and like our people say, the golden fish doesn't have any hiding place. Today is a pointer to what is coming, because very soon, we will gather again for the white wedding and I am using this opportunity to tell our Senator to start looking for a venue that can accommodate the overwhelming crowd of Nigerians who are genuinely craving to be part of her success.
In his own speech, the Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Benjamin Kalu described the event as a unique one, adding that Ekwunife has demonstrated beyond doubts that she is both successful in politics and in her home as a responsible mother.
He congratulated Ekwunife and her son on the occasion of the traditional marriage and urged the couple to build their home on God and on trust.
Kalu further commended Senator Uche Ekwunife as the Director General of the Southeast Governors' Forum and disclosed that the National Assembly will ensure adequate budgetary allocation to the newly created Southeast Development Commission, SEDC to drive the agenda of the South East governors in agriculture, rail transportation; connecting the cities in the region and security among others.
Deputy Governor of Benue State, Ben Ode who represented Governor Hyacinth Alia also described the occasion as gathering of Nigerians irrespective of political or religious backgrounds in celebrating excellence and success.
Former governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Seriake Dickson who was at the event also described Ekwunife as a woman who always stands by others and a woman who has built friends and bridges across races and ethinic boundaries.
The Presidential candidate of Labour Party in the 2023 general election and former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi expressed joy with Ekwunife family on the occasion of their son's traditional marriage and prayed God to sustain their union in love.
He described Ekwunife as a national figure, a fighter and a believer of good governance as a Senator who represented Anambra central senatorial District twice.
A successful business man and governorship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Ebonyi State, Chief Ifeanyi Odi described Ekwunife as a wonderful mother and successful family woman who has taken her time despite politics to nurture a wonderful family.
He said he flew from Lagos to be part of the historic occasion because Ekwunife has always been a friend and dependable ally who has never deserted her friends at any moment, adding that the gathering was in solidarity with the family as they celebrate with their children.
Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the former Minister of Information thanked God for granting Ekwunife and her family the enablement to witness the occasion of their son's traditional marriage in good health and prayed God to bless the new couple to flourish in love and peace.
Honourable Minister for State, Investment, Senator Owan Enoh who came to witness the occasion alongside his wife also thanked the celebrants for choosing to maintain and sustain the culture of their people.
A socialite, Chief Obinna Iyiegbu popularly known as Obi Cubana who was at the event described Ekwunife as woman of grace who always stands by others and has always shown unquenchable thirst to assist others.
Senator Ned Nwoko was also there to celebrate with the young couple and the family of Ekwunife and enjoined them to remain ever faithful to their vows.
He said marriage comes with certain responsibility to which every partner must show commitment to the welfare and emotional wellbeing of the other.
Former governors of Anambra and Rivers States and immediate past Ministers for Labour and Employment and Transport, Senator Chris Ngige and Rotimi Amaechi respectively eulogised Senator Ekwunife for her contribution to the development of her people through quality representation.
Former governor of Cross River State, Prof Ben Ayade said he had to cut short his trip outside the country just to be part of the historic occasion because Senator Ekwunife is a dependable personality.
In his own reaction, former governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Gaya described Senator Ekwunife as woman of unmatchable character and dependable ally who always presents herself to assist others.
Senator Olujimi eulogized Ekwunife for her kindness, adding that the occasion of her son's wedding was a moment of gathering Nigerians in celebration of all round success.
She described Ekwunife as a successful politician, mother and responsible wife who nurtured her family in the fear of God.
Father of the bride, Chief Julian Ojiego while receiving his in-laws from Nri prayed God to grant his daughter the wisdom to build a Christian family that will raise children that would change the society for better.
Ojiego said the coming together of his family and that of Ekwunife was divinely arranged to foster peace and unity between the people of Nri and Osumenyi communities.
Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe, Tony Nwoye Margery Okadigbo, Joy Emordi and Osita Izunaso were also on ground to celebrate with the couple and the family of Ekwunife on the historic occasion.
Others were Senator Gill Nnaji and former member of House of Representatives, Dozie Nwankwo who described Ekwunife as a mother and a role model for women also prayed God to bless the couple to live and love themselves.
Former governor of Sokoto State and former Speaker House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal was also in attendance.
Former deputy speaker and former governor of Imo State, Chief Emeka Ihedioha also eulogised Senator Ekwunife and family for standing for everybody especially at the points of their needs.
Ihedioha who was accompanied by some serving and former members of House of Representatives including Afam Ogene, Offor Chukwuegbo and Chinedu Ogar among others also described the occasion as moment of celebrating success and perpetuation of God's creation.
Senator Rochas Okorocha, former governor of Imo state also was on ground to celebrate with Ekwunifes and prayed God to sustain them in everlasting love.
Former Senate President and Secretary to Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim also commended the Ekwunife family for raising a responsible young man and grooming him to a full mature man for marriage.
Boss Mustapha also thanked God for a successful traditional marriage between Larry Ekwunife Jnr and his wife and prayed God to sustain them in love.
The Deputy Minority Whip of the House of Representatives, Chief George Ozodinobi who came with other members of the House of Representatives also was on ground to celebrate with the couple and Ekwunife family.
The owner of United Nigeria Airline, Chief Obiora Okonkwo and Kola Balogun also stormed the venue to be part of the success story of the Ekwunife and her family and prayed God to bless their union.
George Muoghalu and Kingsley Muoghalu were also among the special guests at the occasion. While Obinna Chidoka described the occasion as a celebration that brought Nigerians of diverse backgrounds together.
Father of the groom, Chief Larry Ekwunife in his appreciation message thanked Nigerians for finding time to be part of his Son's marriage and wished then safe journey back to their respective destinations.
I'm her response, the mother of the groom and Director General of Southeast Governors' Forum, Senator Uche Ekwunife expressed her joy for a successful outing and prayed for her daughter In-law to be a blessing to her family.
"As God sits on the throne and decides the affairs of man, I pray for my dear beautiful daughter In-law, Jessica, a wonderful gift to my son, Larry Ekwunife Jnr and their new family as they embark on this new chapter of marriage.
"May God's blessings of love, unity, and prosperity always be upon her home. Guide her in His everlasting wisdom and understanding, and help her build a strong foundation based on respect and commitment.
"I also pray that her journey together with my son be filled with joy and laughter, fruitfulness and faithfulness, and may their love continue to grow stronger with each passing year as they raise and nurture a new family rooted in love and God's ordinance.
"May she experience God's peace that surpasses all understanding, guarding her heart and mind in Christ Jesus and fill her heart with love so that she may overflow with compassion and kindness towards her husband, family and the society at large.
"May God bless your union with wonderful children who will perpetuate your undying love and fidelity for each other and grant you everlasting grace to understand the mystery of marriage.
The groom, Larry Ekwunife Jnr went memory lane on how he met his wife Nd described his wife as a special gift from God and promised to love her all her life and to raise their children to the fear of God.
He thanked his parents for raising him and his siblings in the fear of God and appreciated the guests for finding time to be part of their celebration.
The occasion featured special display of rich Igbo cultural dance and exchange of warm reception between the two families and their guests.
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