Titus Eleweke l Wednesday, March 22, 2017
EPE, Lagos, Nigeria – It was a moment of joy and thanksgiving to God by the family of the Provost of Michael Otedola College of Primary Education (MOCPED), Noforija, Epe Lagos State , Prof Olu Akeusola recently when he gave his second daughter out in marriage to Mr. Abdul-Rasheed Babatunde Ajigbewu of Osun state.
The marriage ceremony which started at exactly 10.25 am with full Yoruba and Islamic rites attracted men and women from all walk of life at Akeusola’s palatable country home, Epe, Lagos .
Before 9.30, the hall for the wedding was filled to capacity with traditional rulers, academics, non academic friends and well-wishers ready for action.
After some traditional dances and presentation of gifts from the bride to the groom and family , the bride was ushered in by his friends and prostrated before the groom parents, took pictures and proceeded to greet his own parents.
Shortly after, the groom was ushered in by her friend and she went through the same rituals of greeting her parents and parents of her husband, followed by photographs.
At the end traditional greeting, the father of the groom who is Otunba Obagun of Ijebude nation and Akogun 1 of Epe kingdom prayed for the couple to be fruitful in their marriage, reminding them that marriage is not tea party but mutual contract that requires patience ,perseverance, understanding and above all love for one another.
“You shall be fruitful, you shall bear males and females in your home, and you shall train your children and live to see them in your old age. My prayer is for both of you to live in peace in your home and God will certainly provide you with all your needs. Any time you quarrel you should be able to manage them without bringing third party into it” he said.
After the parents of the bride had also prayed and blessed the new couple, they prayed that the marriage shall be fruitful, enjoyable like honey.That they shall beget both males and females children in the union.
One of the Islamic scholars who spoke during the occasion, Dr. Shittu M.A. of the department of Islamic studies, MOCPED enjoined the new couple to always love themselves in whatever condition they find themselves.
He said that marriage is for two purposes, love and tranquility, stressing that when the two things are lacking there is problem in the marriage. He called on the man to love his wife just as he urged the wife to respect the husband at all time, stressing that love and respect are major ingredients in marriage.
Before joining the couple, Shittu asked them if they actually met to agree on the marriage and that nobody forced them into marriage. They answered that their marriage was born out of the desire to be husband and wife.
“We met and agreed to marry before we went to meet our parent who consented to our getting married “they said.
The cleric also asked the family of Akesusola if the young man had finished all the traditional rites according Islamic belief, Akeusola replied also in affirmative. Both parents in unionism agreed of giving their consents to the marriage between Khadijat and Rasheed and promised to guide and direct them in their marriage life.
The Obagun of Ijebu Nation, who was excited by the event announced to the gathering that those who want alcohol should move to the next arena while those who want wine should stay in the hall.
Prof. Akeusola speaking to our reporter said that he was happy giving out his second daughter in marriage and urged her to love her husband and respect him as well as to live peacefully as husband and wife, adding that no union is perfect.
According to him, it is the joy of every father to give out his daughter in marriage and I am happy giving my daughter out in marriage and I am wishing them the best of marriage and fruitfulness.
Speaking to our reporter, Mrs. Khadijat Ajigbewu said the romance started from Facebook activities and after being friends on Facebook for some time they are happy to come together to become husband and wife.
On why she decided to marry the man, she said that the relation started on Facebook and that when she met the man she discovered that he is a man any reasonable young lady can spend his time with.
“He is humble, decent and trust worthy. I never knew that our relation could lead to marriage because people have negative belief about Facebook relation. In our case, Facebook united us as husband and wife “he said.
Mrs. Ajigbewu who is a graduate of Tai Solarin College of Education Ijebu -ode and turned business woman said that she is happy settling down with a man she met on Facebook. Rasheed on his own confirmed that he met Khadijat on Facebook but the day he met her on Facebook, he was too busy but manage to respond, and that is where the miracle started.
On why he decided to marry the young lady, he replied that ‘I found in her the quality I needed in a woman. She is honesty, trustworthy and easy to go about with. Above all she is calm and simple” he said.
Rasheed who is banker with one of the new generation banks said that he is proud and happy making the choice to marry Khadijat and that this a testimony that Facebook relation could results into a good relation. The highlight of the ceremony was the dining and wining at the Igbadu Guest along Akeusola drive, Epe .
