Encomium
AVM OLUFEMI SOEWU stages classy wedding for son
Saturday, September 21, 2013, will remain memorable for the families of Air Vice Marshal Olufemi Soewu (rtd) and Mr. Olusola Saka as their children were united in marriage.
Oreoluwa Toluwalope, last child of AVM Olufemi and Mrs. Adefolakemi Soewu exchanged marital vows with former Miss Olawunmi Azeezat Saka in grand style. They were joined in holy matrimony at Bishop Adelakun Howells Memorial Church, Surulere, Lagos.
It was a ceremony hugely attended by top military brass and guests stepping out in glamorous outfits at about 10am. At around 12.30am, the couple had been declared husband and wife and the next step was the reception.
The light showers didn’t deter guests from attending the concluding leg of the ceremony as friends and families stormed The Nigerian Air Force Officer’ Mess, Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The NAF marquee accommodated guests for the reception. Open Hands Décor, a company owned by Akin and Yemi Ariyo had already recreated a beautiful ambience inside the marquee, and it didn’t take long before the proceedings kicked off. Mothers of the couple, Mrs. Adefolakemi Soewu and Mrs. Ojuolape Saka betrayed their joyous moment with endless dance steps.
The event took a new turn when the compere, Gbenga Adeyinka announced the arrival of the couple into the marquee. Soon after they settled in their gazebo, the cutting of the cake took centre stage. In no time, they stormed the dance floor. The toast came up later.
The beautiful bride, Olawunmi Azeezat dazzled in a Vera Wang wedding gown ordered from the US. She presently runs an interior decor company called Decimal Point. Her husband, however, is an IT consultant, a graduate of Computer Science from the University of Lagos. Their romance is just close to two years.
The ceremony was attended by top personalities including former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Paul Dike, Mr. Akin Ogundipe, who served as the chairman of the occasion, Mr. Segun Ajanlekoko, Mr. John Obayuwana, Engr. And Mrs. G. Longer, Dr Tunde Soleye and a host of others…
ENCOMIUM Weekly spoke with the couple and their parents about their joyous day.
‘SHE HAS MADE ME A BETTER PERSON’
– Oreoluwa Soewu, Groom
What is your feelings today?
It is a glorious day. We thank God for making it possible. I have a beautiful wife. She is gorgeous as ever. The journey has been wonderful. This is just the beginning and I pray for more wonderful years ahead.
When did the journey actually start?
Two years, one month ago.
What was the circumstance that brought the two of you together?
We met very randomly at a restaurant through a mutual friend and we picked it up from there.
What was it like the first time you spoke to her?
She felt I am a snub. My Demo was too much. She just looked at me like what is wrong with this man. Of course, with a little bit of time we got to know each other.
When did you make up your mind to propose to her?
That was about eight months after we started dating.
How did you do it?
She is a bit shy. So, it wasn’t a public proposal. We did it privately. She wasn’t expecting it. It was actually our 14th month anniversary.
What do you cherish about her?
She is God fearing. She is the most considerate person I have ever met. She thinks about others before herself. She cares about other people.
What area has she come to complete you?
She has made me a better man. I was stubborn, but she is able to calm me down and curb my excesses. She is able to bring me down to earth. She knows how to turn me around to a good person.
What is the future for both of you?
Blessings of God as they keep coming.
Tell us briefly about your school and where you presently work?
We graduated from the University of Lagos though we never got to know each other. I am an IT consultant. I work with Channel IT Company. I studied Computer Science at the University of Lagos and I have a Masters degree in Project Management.
‘MY IMPRESSION ABOUT HIM CHANGED WHEN WE STARTED DATING’
– Olawunmi Azeezat Saka, Bride
What is your impression about the ceremony?
Everything feels like a dream. I am so sure I won’t wake up. We have been engaged for close to a year. So, we are used to each other. I am very happy and grateful to God because it has not been easy. We had a very long engagement.
A lot of people were like that but they broke up, we just thank God for sustaining us.
For how long have you dreamt of this happening to you?
I am not a regular girl. When he proposed, I just thought of the colours I like. Everything just happened according to God’s plan. It is a very big surprise than when you have something planned and you are disappointed.
The first time you met him, what was the feeling?
The very first day I met him, I thought he was a proud type. I used to think that way, but later we were friends for a while and I got to know him very much and I started seeing it’s for real.
In what area has he come to complement your life style?
He has made me more patient. He made me appreciate somethings I took for granted. He is a very good teacher. He taught me a lot of things. The first interview I would have in my life, he coached me and I got the job. He is a bit stubborn but he is very wise.
Let us meet your family?
I have two sisters, we are quite reserved in my family. My sisters are my very good friends, my brother too. We are close.
What did you study at the University of Lagos?
I studied Philosophy and presently I run an interior décor company, Decimal Point.
‘IT IS A MARVELOUS UNION’
– MRS. OJUOLAPE SAKA, Bride’s mother
What is the feeling as the mother of the beautiful bride?
It’s very marvelous. God has been with us since the beginning till now. It’s one of the best moments of my life. I thank God I witnessed today.
What are you going to be missing about your daughter?
Her benevolence. She is very helpful, patient but the children have to marry, that’s our prayer.
When are we coming back?
I still have an older child so I pray to God that when the time comes, it will be glorious as this.
How will you describe the kind of upbringing your daughter had?
I am a disciplinarian. I teach all my children to do things at the right time and they all listen to me. That they should be contented with whatever they have, we are seeing all that today.
What is your advice for them?
They should be one, avoid third party in their home, always pray to God.
What do you do now?
I am a retired nurse.
‘She is in good hands’
– MR. OLUSOLA SAKA, bride’s father
How is the feeling today?
This is my real joy, I am so happy that things went according to plan. This is what I have been waiting for and I am happy I witnessed it. I still have more to come.
Like how many should we expect?
Two actually ate coming. I still have one boy and a girl.
How well would you say you know the Soewus?
Incidentally, they are well known in my family. And within the period we have been together, they are a wonderful family. I have known them very much.
What about your daughter’s husband?
He is a wonderful person. He is a lively person, and with that I know my daughter is in good hands.
With your experience in marriage, how will you want to advice them?
They should be each other’s friend. That is what is called love. Once they do things together, that will be strengthened till the end of time.
‘They are a perfect match’
– MRS. ADEFOLAKEMI SOEWU, groom’s mother
The children are now married, what are you going to miss about them?
I will miss them so much. I have only three boys but now I have three girls. They are still very much around.
How have you coped raising three boys all through?
We are a military family and as a military wife, we are tough. We have a way of doing things. We are very strict. I only need to raise an eyebrow and they would understand.
What is your schedule like now that the grandchildren have started coming?
In fact, I am busier right now than ever. My granddaughter is fun to be with. So intelligent, I am there for her. I am also there for the children’s wives.
What is your advice to the newly wed?
The lady is very intelligent and Oreoluwa is very reserved. Both are very matured and I believe they will make a perfect couple. The other two are having a great time without interference.
No one will believe you already have three grown up men like this. What is the secret of your youthful look?
That is a very lovely compliment. It’s more of peace of mind. I hate stress. If I want to do something in January, I will start planning now. And my husband gives me a perfect home. He allows me to be who I am.
‘It’s a wonderful experience to have witnessed the children’s marriage’
– AIR VICE MARSHAL OLUFEMI SOEWU (rtd), groom’s father
This is the third wedding in four years, was it something you planned?
Not really. Considering the spacing of the children, it will appear so. Between the three children there is about five years gap, and if a man is lucky to find a woman he can live with for life there is no need wasting time. Oreoluwa will be 30 in December. He is no longer a young boy we used to know. He is a graduate and has his profession. The next thing is to settle down and move on.
It appears you are paying the bride price?
I am happy paying the bride price so as to get daughters in return. I have three boys and it is nice to pay the bride price for them so that they too can bring forth daughters whom others will ask their hands in marriage.
What is your schedule like now that grandchildren are rolling in?
It’s a new experience and it is very joyful. When you have grandchildren, it reminds you of when you are raising their parents. So, it’s a very wonderful experience.
What is your advice to the newly wed?
There is no perfect marriage. They must be patient to learn from each other. There is always something to learn. Marriage is not a destination. It is a journey and you just keep going and learning new things every day.
