Encomium
2015 kicked off on an exciting and joyous note for Polo Avenue Executive Director, Jennifer Obayuwana…as the stylish damsel got a surprise engagement ring from her beau of ten months, Peter Salah on New Year Eve.
Inside a room in Eko Signature, the new wing of Eko Hotel & Suites (on Adetokunbo Ademola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos) on December 31, 2014, around 10 p.m, with only two witnesses, Peter Salah popped the question in a romantic mode which led to screams and gasps and tears of joy.
Sources close to Peter (34) and Jennifer (33) told ENCOMIUM Weekly their love story and how the proposal was staged…
“They have been dating for ten months,” one of the insiders stated. “And it was clear after a few months that they could spend the rest of their lives together.
“It was just a matter of when he would propose. And he did on December 31.”
THE DAY OF THE ENGAGEMENT
Another source volunteered:
“There were many events in Lagos on New Year’s Eve, and Peter had told Jennifer of a dinner party. But she mentioned that she had to be home in time for the New Year Eve’s prayers at Iju, in the outskirts of Lagos.
“Jennifer’s sister, Johanna (a 21 year-old student abroad who was holidaying in Nigeria) was ‘conscripted’ to monitor her.
“The proposal was kept under wraps – and Peter regularly called Johanna to find out what Jennifer was doing.
“And in the evening, Johanna drove Jennifer to Eko Signature where Peter said his friend’s girlfriend had to change for the dinner party.
“Jennifer was grumbling, but was persuaded to go upstairs into a room where the lady was changing at Eko Signature. It was a beautiful scenario.”
Accompanied by her sister, she was led to a room with all the lights off – and she immediately suspected a big surprise was on the way.
“As soon as the lights came on, a popular photographer (Seyi George) lay on the floor, clicking away. The room, lit with candles, was decorated with rose petals which read, ‘Will you marry me?’ As soon as the words came into her line of vision, she screamed.
It was actually a panic attack. She was crying and screaming.
“Johanna calmed her down, while she screamed, ‘Wait, wait!’
“From another end of the room, the photographer brought the case containing the engagement ring and handed it over to Peter.
“And he popped the question, ‘Will you marry me?’ She said, ‘Yes, I will!’
“And shortly after, around 10.30 p.m, Seyi George and Johanna Obayuwana left the couple to savour the new beginning.”
HOW PETER AND JENNIFER MET
On a bright day in Abuja (Federal Capital Territory) in early 2014, Peter Salah and his friend walked into Polo at Transcorp Hilton to pick a Rolex watch.
After negotiating, he wanted more discount. And Jennifer Obayuwana, who was in the city for business, was approached. She came out of her office and approved the discount.
Thereafter, as they started talking about this and that, Peter and his friend mentioned that they were new in town, and were looking for where to enjoy the evening.
Phone numbers were exchanged, and later in the night, Peter and his friend, along with Jennifer and four of her male friends, had dinner at Traffic.
From Traffic, they went clubbing and had a good time.
Both came back to Lagos on the same flight, and their friendship deepened. One thing led to another, and a relationship blossomed.
They began to spend a lot of time together – and it became clear that the romance will flourish.
Peter had always told those close to Jennifer that he would spend the rest of his life with her. And it came as no surprise when he popped the question on New Year’s Eve.
INTIMATE SECRETS OF PETER AND JENNIFER
Jennifer Obayuwana, Executive Director at Polo Avenue, is the first daughter of dandy and mogul, John Obayuwana (who’s behind Polo andCAT Construction, among several businesses).
She studied abroad and speaks a few foreign languages. A very stylish damsel, she is re-writing the lexicon of high fashion in Nigeria.
Peter Salah played professional football in Dubai (United Arab Emirates), and he’s trying his hand in construction.
He’s the CEO of Tilt Group.
THE WEDDING
The wedding of Peter Salah and Jennifer Obayuwana is scheduled for later in the year.
The ceremonies will kick off with an introduction and engagement in Nigeria, and the wedding maybe staged abroad (possibly France).
The Obayuwana and Salah families are holding meetings to fine-tune the details…
