Zinox boss gives away daughter in grand style

The wedding between Chigozie (Gozy to her friends), daughter of Chief Leo Stan Ekeh, computer mogul and chairman of Zinox Group to her heartthrob, Tolulope Ijogun (Tolu) recently is the stuff fairy tales are made of.

It was like a chapter straight from a thriller novel, carefully and intricately woven by a master wordsmith and story teller. It had the trappings of great Hollywood box office hit. A high society wedding, it had a high dose of class, panache and pizzazz. The exchange of vows was at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church.

The bridal train later moved over to the seaside Eko Hotel and Suites in Victoria Island. The guest list was a gathering of the crème of the society. They came from all walks of life and from the four corners of the nation and even beyond. The roll call included politicians, captains of industries, royal fathers, clerics among others.

From start to finish, the programme had a touch of taste and excellence. And the couple and their parents lit up the atmosphere with bright and warm smile. The bridal train had no fewer than 20 delectable ladies who looked smashing and stunning in their hand crafted African violet, Grandiflora fascinator. As they strut down the aisle on the heels of the bride, everyone in the hall metaphorically went green with envy.

It was such an impressive sight. Even the groom’s men list was no less impressive. It was a wedding befitting a prince and a princess, one many a lady would readily give an ovary or an eye to experience. No eligible spinster that beheld the ceremony wouldn’t dream to be in Gozy’s shoes. She was the cynosure of all eyes. The envy of all. The event was not a fly by night one. Rather, it was the culmination of many years of association.

Their courtship took a while to blossom into a whirlwind romance before the duo finally signed the dotted lines in the presence a mammoth crowd comprising family members, friends and well-wishers. As the groom recalled, the journey began way back in February 2008. He first set his eyes on her when he visited with a friend in London from Loughborough University. As soon as he beheld her, something stirred in him.

“I met Gozy on that trip and was struck by her beauty, humility, brain power, kind heart and willingness to help other persons. I daresay that it is always easy for like minds to experience an instant connect,” he said.

There was plenty to sip and munch, with music provided by Tiwa Savage, Iyanya and Naeto C. Attendees included Governor Babatunde Fashola, Chief Walter Ofonagoro, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Prof. Pat Utomi and wife, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, Dr. Alex Otti, managing director, Diamond Bank, Chief and Mrs. Don Etiebet and Senator Ben Obi. Also present were Dr. A. B. C. Orjiakor, Olorogun Ortega Emerhor and wife, Pastor Taiwo Odukoya and wife, Nomthie, Senator Chris Ngige and Jude Agbaso, deputy governor of Imo State among others.

The bride runs an NGO, the Genteel Plea, while the groom is the brain behind Access For All Project (AFA).  While Genteel Plaza is committed to creating a science-oriented society based on a solid Mathematical foundation, with a view to breeding a science-oriented young generation, the groom’s AFA is committed to empowering the physically-challenged through ICT. Indeed, for months to come, the wedding would remain the talk of the town.