The Couple, Ikponya and Ogenyi
Jos city, capital of Plateau State witnessed a gathering of visitors from far and near during the weekend of 6th to 8th of October as the Ad’Idoma on the Plateau Chief, Barr. Leonard Agbo Adejor (JP), gave his daughter, Mercy Ikponya Adejor’s hand in marriage to Benedict Ogenyi Ejah in an event that spotlighted the rich culture of Idoma nation and afforded its leaders the opportunity to exhibit the indispensability of internal unity as the bedrock of societal progress.
The Bride Price fixing night which held on the 5th of October was a display of the tenaciousness with which Idoma people desire to hold on to the endearing aspects of their culture as it was marked mainly by the demonstrations of both families of the bride and bridegroom to invest all that would be necessary to keep the new couple together under rains and sun-shine than fixing a bride-price. The night ended with a resounding success in the re-enactment of cultural marriage rites.
Fatherly prayer time with in-laws, family and friends by Ad’Idoma on the Plateau
Cultural handling over after all duties had been performed
At the cultural wedding event of Friday, it was a full house of Idoma nation’s sons and daughters from around the nation and their friends around Plateau State. The Ad’Idoma, Chief Barrister Leonard Adejor (JP) who was giving out his daughter’s hand in marriage thanked all visitors for honoring the family’s invitations to the event and prayed to God to replenish them abundantly for their times and materials expended for attending the event. The Chairman of the cultural wedding event who is the Adi’ Idoma of Bassa LGA, Chief Godwin Elaigwu thanked all for their show of kindness and prayed God to peacefully and safely lead them back to their homes. President of Idoma Community Development Association on the Plateau, Engr Batholomew Abiche expressed his happiness at the determination of the people to attend the event despite the rains that fell for most part of the day, emphasizing that it was a demonstration of the goodness of unity amongst all Idoma people. Chairlady of the Cultural event, Chief Mrs Franca O. Ujah, Oyoyo K’Idoma on the Plateau, who was represented at the occasion by Mrs Paulina Onaji thanked God for the day and wished the couple a successful marital unity. Other personalities who witnessed the Cultural tying of the knots include the Alapa to the Ad’Idoma on the Plateau, Barr John Musa, Community Leader Major Gabriel Adofikwu (rtd), members of Idoma Community Development Association, the Palace Council and representatives of prominent Cultural and Development Associations from various parts of the country.
The emotional “accept my worth” pledge to a dotting father
Feeding and drinking together forever
The white wedding took place at the St Gabriel’s Catholic Chaplaincy, Nigeria Air-force Base, Jos, at which the celebrating priest implored the new couple to always turn to God when ever any challenges reared its head in their lives together. He told them there is no alternative to God in seeking for solutions to matrimonial and problems of life even as it is God who would use people to solve all human problems.
Royal, fatherly prayers and blessings as timeless gifts
The wedding reception ceremony which was chaired by the National President of S.S. Peter & Paul Idoma Catholic Community, Dr. Amb. Emmanuel Owobi, was attended by a wide spectrum of friends, well-wishers and admirers of the two families and members of peer groups of the couple. The Chairman, in his speech again advised the new couple not to allow human related issues and friends to come between them but to let God be their frequent resorts during all moments of challenges. He advised the couple to be courageous in their matrimonial duties to each and let humility be their guiding principle in their home. A cross-section of those who witnessed the Cultural ceremony and spoke to Wind Sound Africa expressed their happiness at the successful turn out of members of the public for the occasion and strongly advocated for the promotion of peace and unity amongst all Idoma people as a foundation for socio-economic progress for Idoma nation at all times.
Your people shall be my people from now, by Mercy
Signing the dotted lines
