Encomium
IT was glamour and panache at Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Thursday, April 2, 2015, when Rt. Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, the Speaker of Lagos House of Assembly, gave out his daughter (Zainab) in marriage to her heartthrob, Dr. Adefemi Adetokunbo Daniel.
ENCOMIUM Weekly was at the glamorous wedding and talked with the parents of the couple and the groom.
‘We are on the same page’ – DR. ADEFEMI ADETOKUNBO DANIEL, Groom
How do you feel?
I feel fulfilled and great. I feel I have done what God asked me to do.
How and where did you and Zainab meet?
I met her in November 2012. We met in the doctor’s lounge.
Which hospital is this?
Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja.
What would you say attracted you to her?
The attraction was that she was well put together and the fact that we have many common lines. I worked with her in the same unit and we found ourselves on the same page.
Didn’t the fact that she is from a Muslim background give you some concern?
No. I don’t have any problem with religion. I never had issue with someone’s religion. I deal with the person, not his or her religion. What a person does or says has nothing to do with his or her religion. It has to do with his or her mind.
When and where did you propose to her?
I proposed to her at a hotel in Ikoyi in November (2014) and she was positive in her response and this is where we are today.
What is your expectation from this marriage?
As the Lord directs. I only believe in God’s blessing.
How many children are you expecting from this union?
That is not for me to determine.
‘I wish them a very successful marital life- RT. HON. ADEYEMI SABIT IKUFORIJI, Bride’s father
How do you feel about it, sir?
Joyful, of course. My joy knows no bound today. It is a great day and obviously I am happy.
How much of Femi would you say you know?
He is a very serious minded, hard working young man. He demonstrated those qualities that he can be trusted.
When Zainab told you she was getting married how did you feel?
Of course, like any father. Considering my age and considering the fact that in the last seven, eight years I have not had the opportunity of spending quality time with her as much as I did when she was younger, I felt somehow. I still see her as too young. But when you consider the fact that she went to a medical school in United Arab Emirates (UAE) for a long period and she did not give me room to doubt her integrity, I think she is mature enough to be married.
Two, if I don’t want to be selfish, I should let her go. I married her mother at an age that is younger than her (25 years). So, I cannot complain.
What is your wish for this marriage, sir?
I wish them the very best. I wish them a very successful marital life. I wish them long life. Above all, I wish them God’s blessing.
What is your advice to them?
To be Godly in their dealings with each other.
‘The first time I saw him I liked him’ – PASTOR (MRS.) OLUWAMAYOWA IKUFORIJI, Bride’s mother
How do you feel?
Happy and I thank God.
How much of Femi would you say you know?
I have known Femi for sometime now. I know him to be very humble, hard working, God fearing and very humorous too. He always makes us laugh.
So, there was no problem when Zainab told you she was getting married to him?
No. I felt happy. The first time I saw him I liked him. Maybe because I am a pastor and I have been praying for my children to have a Godly husband and the male to have a Godly wife. Immediately I saw him, I saw that in him. Very friendly, jovial and very nice.
What is your advice to them?
To put God first in their marriage and pray together. If they put God first every other thing will fall in place.
What is your wish for this marriage?
I wish them happy married life. I wish them wonderful children, fruitful life, long life and prosperity.
– TOLANI ABATTI
