Encomium
It was a feast of love as Nollywood hunk, Okechukwu Chukwudi Ukeje took his longtime love, Senami Ibukunoluwa Tosin Togunu-Bickersteth down the aisle in a spectacular ceremony on Saturday, November 8, 2014.
ENCOMIUM Weekly was on ground and presents the ceremony from start to finish in graphic detail…
THE WHITE WEDDING
The solemnization of holy matrimony between Okechukwu Chukwudi Ukeje and his longtime love, Senami Ibukunoluwa Tosin Togunu-Bickersteth held at Hoares Memorial Methodist Cathedral, Herbert Macaulay Street, Sabo, Yaba, Lagos.
The ceremony kicked off at noon with the procession of both families. The bridal party, following afterwards, won many hearts; the ministers-in-charge of the day also marched in.
THE MARRIAGE
The marriage proper went in the fashion of the Methodist church. The bride and groom, after individually declaring that they know not of any lawful impediment to their union, said their ‘I dos’.
The minister-in-charge , Very Revd. Oluwole Subuloye, calling both names of bride and groom, asked: Do you believe that God has blessed and guided you and now call you into marriage? They both responded: I do.
Minister then asked: “Who has the honour of presenting this woman to be married to this man?” Bride’s father stepped forward and said: “I do”. Bride’s father then officially handed over daughter to groom – sealing the union.
THE SERMON
Using the scriptural book of Songs of Solomon, Ven. (Arc) Olusegun Kuti admonished the couple to let love lead. According to him, marriage is ‘the journey of no return’.
Continuing, he said: “Let there be no bitterness between you, a great marriage is not made of two great lovers. Rather it is made of two great forgivers”. To the groom, he said: “Be a Bible-believing man”.
CHOIR LEAD CHORUS AS FAMILIES STEP OUT FOR THANKSGIVING
The gloriously-dressed choir dished out melodious tunes as both families, joined by friends and well-wishers, swayed from left to right for the thanksgiving. The procession was led by the couple and was concluded with a prayer session.
PRESENTING OF THE MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE
The latest couple were presented to the guests as they were served their marriage certificate amid applause and cheers.
THE RECEPTION CEREMONY – AS IT HAPPENED
The wedding train rode over the Lagos Third Mainland Bridge to the Incubator, Yusuf Abiodun Way, City of David Road, Victoria Island, Lagos for the second installment of the celebration.
Here’s how it happened…
15:45: The evidently loved-up couple stepped out of their chariot and walked into the auditorium, hand-in-hand; they were joined by friends as they all swayed to DJ Cool’s banging tunes.
16:04: Pastor Ayodeji Oke asked heads to be bowed as he formally opened the reception with prayer.
16:06: In honour of the late father of the groom, one minute of silence was observed.
16:12: The chairman of the occasion, Engr. Olarongbo Awosika, in his opening remark, noted that marriage is a school where you get your certificate at the very beginning.
16:20: Master of the ceremony, Akin Akinsoji asked both parents to give the new couple a target of how many children they should have. Mother of the groom gave them a target of eight children; mother of bride backed the target.
16:29: The Gideons’ International presented couple a Bible.
16:34: MC handed over mic to the chairman as couple stepped forward to cut the multi-level wedding cake.
16:40: Bride fed groom, he returned the favour.
16:46: MC lit up auditorium as he traced the dance steps that hit the Nigerian landscape over the years. From Galala, Makossa, Suo, Yahoozee, Alanta, Azonto, Alingo, Etighi, Skelewu to Sekem and Shoki; the MC displayed his dexterity.
17:00: Couple danced to soul-lifting music as naira notes rain.
17:07: Groom granted the request of bride’s father to dance with his daughter. Bride and father danced to some oldies.
17:25: The bridal party was called up the stage for their dance. Song after song, the bridal train showed off their dancing skills.
17:30: Groom joined them, showed off rehearsed steps along with groom’s men.
17:34: MC called up groom’s friends to join him on the dance floor. They did but instead of dancing, it was selfie time!
17:56: The toast. Bankole of the bridal party led the toast. He toasted to long life, happiness and a loving relationship to the couple.
18:04: Tossing of the bouquet…when it was time for the bride to toss her bouquet, the MC called up the bride’s sister, Winnie, who in turn, pleaded with the single ladies in the house to step out. Cynthia caught the bouquet.
18:16: Praiz (in a surprise appearance) took control of the stage as he performed his latest hit, Mercy. The couple totally let their hair down as they danced cuddled up to each other.
18:21: Groom grabbed the mic to thank everyone who made the day a reality. ‘It was actually surreal that I’m a married man, that someone decided to spend the rest of her life with me’, he opened.
18:30: The MC officially declared the dance floor open. But first, the mommies and daddies in the house were served with some oldies before the energy of youth took over.
18:45: Groom’s celebrity friends and colleagues stepped on the dance floor as they took selfies.
19:13: Still on dance floor…fresh hits after fresh hits, the DJ was evidently prepared for the youthful audience who swayed and grinded endlessly.
THE FAMILIES OF THE COUPLE SPEAK…
We were unable to get the couple to speak to us as the groom rebuffed our requests, but the families obliged…
‘It’s pretty amazing- CHIBUZOR UKEJE, groom’s brother
How does it feel witnessing your brother’s wedding?
I feel great. It’s pretty amazing. I’m very happy for my brother.
What do you wish the new couple?
I wish my brother and his new wife all the best in their new life.
‘I’m sure this marriage will work’ – NNENNAYA UKEJE, groom’s mother
It must be a thing of joy to witness your son get married, tell us how you feel now?
Great. I feel great.
What do you wish them?
Long life, happiness, unity and the peace of God in the home.
What are those character traits in your son that would make this marriage work?
So many things to tell. I’m sure the marriage will work.
‘It is a thing of joy’ – MR. CHARLES TOGUNU-BICKERSTETH, bride’s father
We spoke with the father of the bride.
How does it feel witnessing this day?
I’m very happy. It is a thing of joy.
What do you wish the couple?
The greatest in life is what I wish them.
‘My daughter has been brought up in the way of the Lord’ – MRS. OMOWUNMI TOGUNU-BICKERSTETH, bride’s mother
Blissful and successful marriage with lovely children and good life.
What are those traits in your daughter that’d make this marriage work?
She’s a loving person. She’s very humble, respectful and was brought up in the way of the Lord.
It was a rain of blessings and good wishes on the couple from their friends…
‘They are a beautiful couple’ – Beverly Naya, Nollywood diva
I think they are a beautiful couple. I’m really a good friend of OC Ukeje, I’ve worked with him a number of times. I wish them happiness, joy, prosperity and everything good on this earth.
‘I wish them gorgeous children’ – DENRELE, OAP
Ibukun is a graceful lady, she’s amazing and has charisma. OC Ukeje is a very fine boy. So, I wish them a union of gorgeous children, a happy married life, financial prosperity. It is a union made in heaven.
‘I wish them the best’ – GIDEON OKEKE, actor
OC and madam, I wish you the best of everything, success, money, children, health and long life.
‘I wish them happiness, joy and successful marriage’ – KIKI OMEHA, actress
OC Ukeje is a very good friend of mine, I’ve known him from way back in UNILAG and I’m very happy to be a part of his special day. I wish them happiness, joy, successful marriage, many of children and lots of love.
‘I wish them God’s goodness and favour’ – NIKKI LAOYE, gospel singer
I’m very excited for the two of them, especially OC Ukeje as he was a groomsman at my wedding. I wish them nothing but the best, God’s goodness and favour.
‘I wish them years of happiness and joy’ – PRAIZ, singer
I’m happy for the couple. I wish them God’s blessings, years of happiness, joy and fulfillment. The gift of marriage and everything they wish themselves.
‘The most important thing in any relationship is understanding and forbearance’ – TOSIN MARTINS, singer
First, the couple needs to always pray. That way, God can take hold of the hearts of the individuals involved. The most important thing in any relationship is understanding and forbearance. Beyond that, work on being the best you can be for the other person.
‘I wish my good friend all the best’ – IK OGBONNA, actor
I wish them long life, prosperity, nice children and plenty money. OC is my very good friend, I’ve known him for a number of years now and I wish him all the best.
