Abeokuta was shut down completely on August 23, 2025, as several prominent figures in Nigeria gathered for the Nikkah ceremony of Faizah Omoteniola Kolapo, daughter of the Publisher of The Point Newspaper and Iya Sunnah of Egbaland, Dr. Yemi Kolapo, and AbdulHakeem Jimoh, son of Brig. Gen Olanrewaju Jimoh (retd).
With the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Marquee in Abeokuta sparkling with stunning decoration that transformed it into a celebration hub, the crème de la crème across the country showed up to make it an occasion to remember.
Many of the important personalities who showed up from far and near distances to celebrate with the Kolapo and Jimoh families said that even if the venue was farther than Abeokuta, it would not stop them from gracing the ceremony with their presence.
According to them, the fact that Dr. Yemi Kolapo and Gen Olanrewaju Jimoh are well known for their philanthropy and touching lives would make their sacrifice worth it.
Despite a very late change in his travel plans because of the burial of the Emir of Zuru in Kebbi State, the former Emir of Kano, His Royal Highness, Muhammadu Sanusi II, still showed up a day before the Nikkah ceremony.
Just like his fellow dignitaries, Sanusi was desperate to honour the bride’s mother no matter what.
The guests included former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his wife, Chief Mrs. Bola Obasanjo; former Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; former Governor of Ogun State and Doyen of Journalism, Aremo Olusegun Osoba: Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba (Prof.) Saka Matemilola; Obasanjo’s ally, Otunba Oyewole Fasawe; former Military Administrator of Sokoto State and Baba Adinni of Egbaland, Capt. Raji Rashidi (retd), and the immediate past High Commissioner of Nigeria to the United Kingdom, Amb. Sarafa Isola.
Because he lost his father 2 days before the event, the Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Usman Ododo, was unable to attend. However, he sent the Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Planning of the state, Asiwaju Asiru Idris, along with a formidable team of special advisers and commissioners, to represent him.
Other dignitaries who honoured the event were the Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Prof. Is’haq Oloyede; former Presidential aspirant and Chairman, Ovation Group, Chief Dele Momodu; Senator representing Ogun Central in the National Assembly, Senator Shuaib Salisu; Founding National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, Chief Ralphs Nwosu; Aare Musulumi of Ogun State, Senator Lekan Mustapha; Okanlomo of Ibadaland, Senator Adesoji Akanbi; former Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Alhaja Salmot Badru; two term Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Suraj Adekunbi; former Governorship candidate of the PDP in Ogun State, Hon. Ladi Adebutu; Convener of The Alternative, Hon. Segun Showunmi; and Pro-Chancellor, The Michael and Cecilia Ibru University, Prof. Anthony Kila.
On the media side of things, former Managing Director, Infrastructure Bank of Nigeria, Chief Adekunle Oyinloye, was present. As well as the immediate past and present Managing Directors of Punch Newspapers, Mr. Ademola Osinubi and Mr Joseph Adeyeye; former Provost of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Mr. Gbemiga Ogunleye; and Secretary-General of the International Press Institute, Chief Raheem Adedoyin.
3 former presidents of the Nigerian Guild of Editors also joined the present President of the NGE, Mr. Eze Anaba to grace the glamorous event – Mrs. Funke Egbemode, who used to be Commissioner of Information in Osun State; Mr. Mustapha Isah, the immediate past NGE President and former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to late President Muhammadu Buhari, Mr. Femi Adesina.
The guest list also featured the former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr. Reuben Abati and his wife; Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Bola Tinubu, Mr. Tunde Rahman; Special Adviser to the Governor of Ogun State, Hon. Kayode Akinmade; former President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists and President, Congress of African Journalists, Chief Chris Isiguzo; former President of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers and Publisher, Eagle Online, Mr. Dotun Oladipo; Managing Director of Freedom Online, Gabriel Akinadewo; Deputy National President of NUJ, Mrs. Bimbo Oyetunde; Vice President of NGE, Dr. Kabir Garba; Saturday Tribune Editor and ace columnist, Dr. Lasisi Olagunju, among others.
Other notable personalities in attendance included the Secretary to the Government of Kogi State and Chairperson of the Forum of Secretaries to the Governments of APC states, Dr (Mrs) Folashade Ayoade; Commissioner for Education, Hon. Wemi Jones and his wife; Chairman, Forum of Special Advisers to Governor Ododo, Omoluwabi Bode Adeyemi; Special Adviser to the Governor of Kogi State on Youth and Students, Hon. Nihi Oladele; former Managing Director, Kogi Enterprise Development Agency, Hajiya Rekiya Onaivo; and media influencer, Queen Zara Onyinye.
What is a Nikkah ceremony without clerics, you may ask? The powerful line-up included the Chief Imam of Egbaland, Sheikh Saadallah Bamgbola; Chief Imam of Ijebuland, Sheikh Miftahudeen Gbadegesin; Chief Imam of Remoland, Sheikh AbdulQuadr Junaid; Chief Imam of Owu Kingdom, Sheikh Sulaimon Kehinde; Chief Imam of Gbagura, Sheikh (Prof) Kamaldeen Balogun.
Visiting scholars and clerics included the Imam Gambary of Ilorin, Sheikh Sulaiman AbdulAzeez; Al Khalifah Abdullateef Sugaba (Khalifah Salaty); Al Khalifah Muhammad Olohungbo; and Sheikh Sulaiman Farouk Onikijipa, Al-Miskeenubilahi, Grand Mufti of Ilorin. Prof. Balogun delivered the wedding lecture, which focused on the responsibilities of spouses.
The event was graced by serving and retired senior military officers, including Maj Gen RO Yusuff (rtd); Maj Gen JB Olawumi (rtd); Maj Gen Oyefesobi (rtd); Maj Gen JJ Ogunlade (rtd); Maj Gen Ajetunmobi; AVM AR Salami; AVM Demola Durotoye (rtd); Maj Gen AJ Fagge (rtd), Maj Gen LA Adegboye (rtd); Maj Gen MT Durowaiye (rtd); Maj Gen Faruk Mijinyawa (GOC 81Div Lagos); R Adm Imam; R Adm Olanrewaju; Brig Gen GU Nwamba (Brigade Commander 35 Arty Brigade Alamala); Maj Gen BO Sawyerr; and Brig Gen AM Adetayo (rtd), among others.
The Nollywood industry was ably represented by Chief Adebayo Salami, popularly known as Oga Bello, Bimbo Akintola, Fathia Balogun, Toyin Abraham and her husband, Fausat Balogun (Madam Saje); and Doyin Kukoyi, among others.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Emir of Kano, HRH Muhammadu Sanusi II, appealed to the couple to ensure their home is built on love and compassion.
“In everything you do in marriage, ask yourself, is this something you will do to someone you truly love? Is it compassionate? We pray to Allah to bless your union,” he said.
The father of the groom, Brigadier General Moshood Jimoh (rtd), also praised God for making the event possible, stating, “I thank God for making this event possible and for bringing these two wonderful souls together.”
Mother of the bride, Dr. (Mrs) Yemi Kolapo, said, “I feel super proud that I raised a lovely daughter. My message to them is to live in peace, shut out intruders, love each other and grow together.”
Former Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, prayed for the couple to have a blissful marriage. His words, “We pray Almighty Allah will bless this marriage. Today’s celebration will be repeated by their own children in the future. I congratulate both families, especially the bride’s mother, who must be overjoyed.”
Advising the couple to have a mutual respect for each other, the chairman of the wedding reception, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Ishola, stressed that the couple should remember that marriage “is a journey from the ocean of fantasy to the ocean of reality.”
“Men appreciate respect more than love, while women thrive on love and emotions. A wife must not be a dog, pig, or snake, she must remain loyal, neat, and committed to her husband. On the other hand, the husband must never assault his wife and must always take her into confidence,” Sarafa added.
Weeks after his controversy with the Nigerian aviation industry, Fuji maestro, Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (K1 De Ultimate), dazzled the guests with evergreen songs.
