August 18, (THEWILL) – It has been called by many, the wedding of the year due to the preparations, the number of events held that culminated into the actual ceremony as well as the caliber of persons who registered their presence at the wedding between media entrepreneur, Debola Williams and Kehinde Daniel, daughter of ex Ogun State governor, Gbenga Daniel. His daughter’s wedding had the hallmarks of his first son’s wedding which held last year.
Here are tit bits from the lavish ceremonies
Partial adherence to Covid19 protocols
For a wedding of that caliber, where one would expect Covid19 protocols to be taken very seriously, what with the third wave of the virus claiming more lives than one can possibly imagine, everyone present was at the mercy of the virus. Save for some who had on their face masks and face shields which they removed intermittently, some of the guests couldn’t be bothered.
The wedding venue
Many had expected the wedding to take place at Gbenga Daniel’s multi billion naira Conference Hotel in Abeokuta, Ogun State. But instead, the families of the couple opted for the Balmoral event center at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island. Not only would it have been an opportunity for the former governor to show off the numerous amenities available for guests to enjoy at his hotel, it would have been the biggest event to take place at the hotel since it was opened to the general public late 2019. The hotel had been under lock and key for the greater part of the immediate past Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun’s administration for what Amosun termed land encroachment and Daniel’s use of public funds to build the hotel. The hotel was eventually released to Daniel shortly after he decamped to the incumbent governor, Dapo Abiodun’s camp during the 2019 general elections. Besides, a gas explosion at the hotel about three months ago which left two people dead may perhaps be one of the reasons why the ceremonies were all held in Lagos.
The three-in-one wedding/event
Saturday August 8th started out with the holy solemnization of the couple. This was followed shortly after with an engagement ceremony. A pre engagement dinner had held a day before. Then there was a wedding reception. And to round up events was an after party that saw the wedding venue literally turned into a ‘night club’. Everything happened at the Federal Palace Hotel.
The legion of officiating gospel ministers
The first order of events of the day was the white wedding which was officiated by a legion of ministers of the gospel. The solemnisation was conducted by Rev Dr Rufus Ositelu who was ably assisted by Rev Dr Israel Adelani Akanji, Rev Dr Michael Fape, Bishop Akin Akinsanya, Rt Rev Gboyega, Rev Dr Wale Sulola, Prelate of the Methodist church, his eminence, Dr Samuel Chukwuemeka Kanu Uche, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, Pastor Tony Rapu and Tunde Bakare.
Why there were four masters of ceremonies
There were four masters of ceremonies who steered proceedings at the wedding, one of who was ace broadcaster and MC of repute, Bisi Olatilo. It was indeed a pleasant surprise to see Olatilo back to doing what he knows how to do best, especially after his harrowing experience with the deadly Covid19 virus. He represented the older generation. Apart from him, actor and MC of note, Yemi Shodimu represented the middle aged guests while actor/comedian, Bovi Ugbomah and Big Brother Naija host, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu represented the younger generation who were guests of the couple. It is instructive to note that Yemi Shodimu was a special adviser on information when Gbenga Daniel was the governor.
The performing artistes
Besides Waje who performed a soulful song as the bride was walked in by her dad, King Sunny Ade also performed a medley of his songs to the delight of the older guests at some point during the ceremonies. Veentage band was also on hand to thrill the audience from their repertoire of songs.
Governors honor Gbenga Daniel
Six state governors thought it necessary to attend the wedding. They were Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Sokoto state governor, Aminu Tambuwal; Ondo state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu; Ekiti state governor, Kayode Fayemi; Kebbi state governor, Atiku Bagudu and Jigawa state governor, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar.
Dapo Abiodun’s conspicuous absence
The Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun was conspicuously absent at the party. His absence may not be unconnected to the death of his father, Dr Emmanuel Adesanya Abiodun, which happened four days before the wedding. So it is safe to say that he is still mourning his father who died at the age of 89 and whom he was quite close to. His deputy, Engr Mrs Noimot Salako Oyedele ably represented him.
The wedding, a political melting point
The saying that in politics, there are no permanent friends or enemies, only permanent interests, aptly played out at the wedding as the lines between the opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and the ruling party, All Progressives Congress, APC, was perfectly blurred. Besides the governors who left the job of steering the ships of their various states to attend the wedding, the wedding witnessed a huge number of politicians who are members of both parties, all of who interacted animatedly with each other. This may not be unconnected to the fact that the host was once a long standing, card carrying member of the opposition party but is now currently a member of the ruling party. Despite his cross carpeting, Otunba Gbenga Daniel has managed to maintain his relationship with members of both parties.
That glow on Titi Oseni Gomez
The glow on the former speaker of the Ogun State house of assembly under Gbenga Daniel’s tenure, is a testament to the fact that she is having the best of time in her second marriage. Titi who used to be a card carrying member of PDP before cross carpeting to African Democratic Congress, ADC and later to APC, looked every inch a happy and fulfilled woman and many couldn’t help but marvel from afar and from within earshot how that she made the right decision to move on and settle with someone who she is truly happy with. The politician who used to be married to Kunle Oseni is currently enjoying marital bliss with her second husband, businessman, Frank Olawale Gomez.
Oscar Ibru is back
That Oscar Ibru, the life of any party is back on the social scene, would be simply stating the obvious. The 63 year old who ‘kicked Covid19’s ass’, in his own words, has been traversing the Lagos party scene like he did before the deadly virus kept him hovering between life and death for at least seven weeks. For that reason, he can’t stop thanking God for another chance at life. The very jovial and deep pocketed socialite was at the wedding dressed in his native regalia and looking as bubbly as ever.
Entertainment constituency well represented
Even though the groom, Debola Williams is a media entrepreneur, his friends spread across all facets of life, particularly the entertainment industry. And they did not disappoint him as they were well represented in their numbers. Some of those who made it to his wedding were, Richard Mofe Damijo, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, Timi Dakolo, Omawunmi Megbele, Lala Akindoju, Toke Makinwa, Chioma Akpotha, Omoni Oboli, Ufuoma McDermott, Banky W and wife, Adesua Etomi, Kaffy Shafau, Chioma Omeruah, Sola Sobowale, Mo Abudu, Mawuli Gavor, Kemi Adetiba, Tola Odunsi etc.
Roll call of dignitaries
Some of the dignitaries in attendance were Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Dame Peace Jonathan, Otunba Subomi Balogun, former Niger state governor, Babangida Aliyu, Mrs Alice Moji Obasanjo, former speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, former Anambra state governor, Peter Obi, Senator Florence Ita Giwa, Erelu Abiola Dosunmu, former Delta state governor, James Ibori and his wife, Senami Sosu, Oba Saheed Elegushi and his wife, Olori Sekinat, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, former Ogun state governor, Segun Osoba, former Osun state governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, minister of transport, Rotimi Amaechi, Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Sherrif Oborevwori, Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei, an executive director for Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services of NIMASA etc.
Ivory Ukonu is a versatile journalist with many years of experience, with entertainment and society reporting as her area of core competence.
