Culture clash as Igbinedion’s granddaughter weds Sam Oni’s son

The Esama of Benin, Sir Gabriel Igbinedion must be one of the happiest grandfathers in the land. Only weeks back, he witnessed the wedding of his pretty granddaughter, Benita, who is the daughter of Peter, his son. Even as the high society is still talking about the classy Lagos wedding, the Igbinedion family hosted the traditional marriage of yet another of his grandchildren.

On Monday, Ehi, the brilliant daughter of former Edo State governor, Chief Lucky Igbinedion began her journey into matrimony with fellow doctor, Femi Oni. The father of the groom, a former director with the Central Bank of Nigeria, High Chief Sam Oni led his family and a coterie of friends to the palatial Abuja home of the Esama of Benin. At the imposing mansion known as ‘The Signature House’, the Igbinedions showed uncommon solidarity as they hosted their in-laws, ensuring that everything went according to plan. The Igbinedion brothers, Peter, Fred, Bright and Mike, who was the Master of Ceremony at the event, were all on hand to support the father of the bride, whom they described as their role model.
Though, a brief ceremony, it was also one that saw the rich Benin culture blend beautifully with the much-admired Yoruba tradition. At the end of proceedings, the Esama formally welcomed the bridegroom into his family, with the advice that he treats his wife with love and care. “Now, you can come into the Igbenedion house through the front door,” he said. It was a private event, yet a number of dignitaries graced the occasion. They included former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Alfa Belgore, former Kogi State governor, Prince Abubakar Audu, Pacesetters Academy founder, Chief Lucky Imusuagbon, High Chief Peter Ojemen, former Minister of Information, Dr. Walter Ofonagoro, and Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture, Mrs. Dayo Keshi.