Dr Chinonso Ojukwu Weds LT. Chinonye Izuchukwu Madu.
4 min read
Today being Tuesday 31 December, the last day of 2024 was a day the heavens marked out for Dr Chinonso Ojukwu and LT. Chinonye Izuchukwu Madu as the most interesting day of their lives. On this day, the two educated and highly presentable youths got united as one in matrimony. Graceland Events Centre Owerri was the venue where people, families and friends had come to bear witness over the love the new couple had found among themselves.
Chinonye Izuchukwu Madu, the son of Chief Chinonye Madu (Sir Livy) the Ikpa Ahuru Dike the third of Amazano and Lolo Evelyn Chibogwu Madu (the Ugegbe Diya the first of Amazano Njaba LGA Imo State was lucky enough to find love all the way from Ubaha Issekee Autonomous Community in Ihiala LGA, Anambra State. This was precisely in the family of the late Nze Godwin Ndubuisi Ojukwu Nwamerekannaya (Omenife) and Lolo Bibian Obianuju Ojukwu.
As people from both states (Imo and Anambra) had gathered in the lavishly furnished hall, everybody knew that it was going to be a great day to remember. First, the duo of Okenwa and Agwubuo, the masters of the ceremony was the first to put things in order by announcing the presence of some high profile personalities and royal fathers. After recognizing the presence of the royal fathers, (not less than 10 royal fathers were at the event), the next item was to welcome the parents of the bride and the bridegroom to the hall. Just few minutes away from the announcement, the parents of the bride and bridegroom were seen dancing their way to the hall fantastically. People appreciated them financially.
The presentation of kola nuts with opening prayers was another item that was handled after the new couple had taken their seats. Because it was a traditional marriage (igba nkwu), the parents of the bride presented the kola nuts to the father of the bridegroom, Chief Livy Madu who handed over the tray containing the kola nuts to the royal father of Umuele Amazano community after making a brief speech.
The royal father prayed and blessed the kola nuts and immediately, service boys and girls passed them round to all tables.
After about 20 minutes, the bride was called to come out and present herself to her guests. In few minutes time, she and her friends who specially dressed in strawberry colour attire were seen dancing and coming to the hall to greet the guests. It was one of the most interesting activities that marked the success of the event. After this had been done, the bridegroom was also called to do the same which he did also with some of his friends and family members. Both were so interesting to behold.
An interlude of music followed this segment and at the end of it, the bride was also called up again to come and show the people her husband. In accordance with Igbo traditional marriage rituals, the bride dressed in another unique traditional attire in her second appearance. With her friends accompanying her on the dance floor, she was able to locate her “father” who welcomed her whole heartedly. He then poured a cup of palm wine into a glass cup for her with an instruction; “Carry this wine, go round the hall and locate your husband. Give him the wine to drink and come along with him to receive my blessings.”
In about 10 minutes time, the bride with a high level of “ure” located where her husband was sitting and danced towards him. With fresh brand of “ure”, she knelt down before him, drank a little of the palm wine and passed it on to him. With a cheerful and highly infectious smile, he collected the cup and drank too and handed over the empty cup to her. He then dipped his hand in his pocket and brought out some money and inserted it into the cup as tradition demands. They both stood up and danced to where the father of the bride was sitting.
They both knelt down and gathered a trailer load of fatherly blessings.
One of the MCs who was highly thrilled by the display of tradition, told the guests to clap for them which they did immediately.
Time to cut the cake. Without wasting time, the new couple was directed by one of the MCs to the table where the cake was placed. The MC told them that he would start from number 12 and countdown to number 1. The meaning according to him was for the new couple to cut the cake when he counts any number they want their children to be. To the surprise of many, they couple cut the cake at number 3 and people clapped for them.
Dancing and merry making took over the atmosphere thereby signaling the heavy success the traditional marriage between Dr Chinonso Ojukwu and LT. Chinonye Izuchukwu Madu has achieved.
