It was glitz and glamour as Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, yesterday, exchanged marital vows with his heartthrob, former Miss Iara Fortes, from Cape Verde.
The Governor and his bride had signed the dotted lines at a private marriage registry attended only by family members and a few friends at his Iyamho residence after which top dignitaries in the country, were led by the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari to the wedding reception held at the People’s White Hall in the Governor’s country home.
Among a list of who-is-who in the country who also graced the ceremony were President-elect, Gen Muhammadu Buhari, his wife Aisha, Vice President Elect, Professor Yemi Osibanjo, Speaker of the House of Reps, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, Cross Rivers State Governor, Liyel Imoke, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Dr Samuel Ogbemudia, Peter Obi, former head of state, Gen. Yakubu Godwin, Alike Dangote, Captain Hosa Okunbor, Femi Otedola, Chief Tom Ikimi, Gen. Charles Airiavbere, Engr.Chris Ogiemwonyi, Saraki, Minority Whip of the House of Reps, Samson Osagie, Pally Iriase and many other members of the National Assembly.
Others are National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, National Leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Governor Rauf Arigbesola, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, representative of Crown Prince of Benin, Jim Ovia, President of a faction of the NLC, Ayuba Wahab, Gen Tunde Ogbeha, Dr Samuel Ogbemudia, former Governor of Edo State, Prof Osarhiemen Osunbor, former Governor of Anambra State, Dr Peter Obi, Senator Daisy Danjuma, Esogban of Benin Kingdom, Chief David Edebiri, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Governor-elect of Kaduna State, Mallam el Rufai, Gov Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Chris Ngige,Kenneth Imuasuagbo among others.
The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, former Governors Kayode Fayemi, Oserheimen Osunbor, Senator Tunde Ogbeha; Osaigbovo Ogbemudia,Otunba Niyi Adebayo were also in attendance.
Top military brass including Brigadier-General MJ Abel, Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Auchi were also in attendance. The Director-General of the State Security was represented by Engr Joseph oworuya, while Mr Bello Bakori, Director, SSS Edo State was also at the ceremony.
Members of the Edo state Executive Council were led by the Deputy Governor of the state, Dr Pius Odubu, Chief Judge of Edo state, elected members of the State and National Assemblies and many others.
Parents of the bride, Mr and Mrs Fortes flew in from their home in the Netherlands to attend the ceremony while the Governor’s mother, Hajia Aishetu Oshiomhole was also in attendance.
The Governor’s children Steve, Adams, Jane and two of his grandchildren also on hand to show love and support for their father and his wife.
The Governor’s marriage is coming about five years after the painful death of his first wife, Clara Oshiomhole, following a protracted battle with cancer.
The delectable Iara, a lawyer by profession and top model, is from the Cape Verde Islands.
The chairman of the ceremony, General Yakubu Gowon said the Governor’s wife completes and complements him and he admonished the couple to show true love and have patience in their dealings with one another.
Fielding question form newsmen, Oshiomhole who noted that both PDP and APC leaders attended the wedding, said it shows that despite political differences, Nigerians remains one.
He described his wife as very “ understanding, caring and a loving lady and also expressed joy with his family for the support given to him to remarry.
“This is something that one is happy about. I am also happy that I have friends across all political divide. The occasion reminds me that across all divides, we have friends and well-wishers.”
Describing his wife, Oshiomhole said: “She is very humble, she appreciates the nature of my job and life that I return home late, some times 3am. She understands my weaknesses, she is more or less the mother of the house, the one that has accepted to be the mother of my children.
“I am happy that all my children are at home with her and accept her as their mother even though she is not old enough to be their mother. She has accepted to fill that gap” he said.
Nigerian incoming First Lady, Aisha Buhari made an interesting comment. She described Oshiomhole’s wife as beautiful and turning to her she said “but for you to marry a Nigerian, you need to cook Edi-Kaikon, Egusi, and other Nigerian delicacies. God bless the marriage and we know as First-lady you have a big task and God will guide and protect the family”.(Vanguard)
