By FRED ITUA
For many Nigerians, especially residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Saturday, July 1, 2017, was like any other day. But for the family of Senator Hope Uzodinma, who heads the Senate Committee on Customs and Excise, it was a double celebration.
The big event, which attracted the high and mighty, was the wedding of Uzodinma’s daughters, Sophie Nkem and Sandra Nkechi. Most unique about the historic wedding was that the two beautiful ladies, Sophie and Sandra, are twins and they opted to tie the knot the same day.
Contrary to some notions that powerful Igbo men seldom allow their children, especially daughters, to marry across the Niger, Uzodinma proved cynics wrong.
While Sophie found love in her native Igboland, Sandra, on the other hand, travelled to Yorubaland. Sophie got hooked to David Onyechukwu and Sandra embraced Adeola Adewoye.
The wedding was a gathering of the who’s who in Nigerian high society. The finest politicians and A-list traditional rulers graced the event. Business moguls and the religious enclave were not exempted from the long list of dignitaries who thronged the International Conference Centre, Abuja, venue of the wedding reception.
The big event kicked off at the famous Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja. The twin wedding was officiated by over 40 Catholic bishops, priests and reverend sisters.
The wedding lasted for about two hours. The expansive hall of the exquisite church was filled to the capacity. Many guests who could not find space inside had to stand outside in the heat of the sun.
The crowd also took all available parking spaces in the vicinity. Long vehicular queues, rather than creating a nuisance, turned out to be a beauty to behold, a pageant of automobiles, as uncommon cars and German machines were on display for lovers of cars and passersby to feats their eyes on, while the event lasted.
At about 1.30pm, the reception kicked off at the International Conference Centre. President of the Senate and chairman of the National Assembly, Bukola Saraki, led over 50 senators to the event.
Ministers and heads of agencies were not left out. For once, political foes and friends and gladiators from all sides of the political divide gathered to celebrate the day. Former governors, former ministers and top government functionaries were in attendance.
The high point of the ceremony was the arrival of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II. As it has become a tradition, he came to the venue of the event in a Limousine, accompanied by chiefs and praise singers.
He stole the show and added colour to the event when he stepped into the hall. For about five minutes, he moved from around the hall greeting guests who were savouring refreshments.
There were loads of alcohol, soda and expensive wine to drink. Food was more than enough. With the scintillating performance of star artist, Flavour, the event would linger in the minds of the newlyweds and guests for a long time to come.