Handshake Across Niger: Chukwuma Aniunoh weds Seyi De-souza

COUPLE WITH GROOMS PARENTSCOUPLE WITH BRIDE PARENTS

The hand shake across the Niger, which the progenitors of the Nigerian nation from generations past till today, have been propagating to further cement relationships among Nigerians from different ethnic backgrounds, is being embraced and fast yielding results on the altar of love, where inter-cultural marriages are helping to break the barriers and whatever differences are there in our tribe and tongues, giving way to the big umbrella of one brotherhood that binds us together as one people.

One of such marriages on the Bisi Olatilo Show (BOS) stable that is a worthy example of the gains derivable from inter-cultural marriages is that between Oluwaseyi Jacqueline De-souza, who is of Badagry, Lagos State and Cotonou, Benin Republic parentage, and Richard Chukwuma Aniunoh of Umuoji in Anambra State of Nigeria.

The love story between Oluwaseyi Jacqueline De-souza and Richard Chukwuma Aniunoh is such an interesting one, which has spanned a total of 17 years altogether. They both met as students in JS 3 at Badagry Grammar School in Lagos State, while Oluwaseyi has fallen heads over heels for Chukwuma on account of his exceptional brilliance in class, where, he won all the awards, Chuma too, had had a quiet crunch on Seyi for her beauty, neatness and impeccable dress sense. They both went their separate ways after secondary school, only for fate to connect them together as students in Lagos many years after.

The Couple With The Groom Parents 

The groom, Chukwuma Aniunoh, was a student at the University of Lagos, where he graduated with a first class as a Chemical Engineering and the bride, Oluwaseyi enrolled at the Lagos State University, School of Communications Studies, where she got a degree in Public Relations and Advertising.

The very brilliant groom, a first class material in Chemical Engineering is very much sought after by blue chip companies, who fly him around the world for project execution and supervision. The beautiful bride, Oluwaseyi, was a model who graced the major runways and fashion shows around the world. Oluwaseyi Jacqueline De-souza runs a beauty shop called Orabela Signature. From all indications, the couple will complement each other in many ways than one.

The solemnization of the holy matrimony of Oluwaseyi and Chukwuma Aniunoh took place at the Catholic Church of Divine Mercy on Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.

After a formal seal has been put on the marriage of Chukwuma and Oluwaseyi in the presence of their parents, family members and friends, as they signed the dotted lines and received their marriage certificate to formally authenticate their new status as a couple, there was a long-drawn-out thanksgiving session that saw friends, family members and other well wishers joining the couple in thanking God for the success of the day. BOS cameramen and photographers were on hand to record the photo session of the couple and long line up of people after the Church service.

The reception of the cross-cultural marriage between Oluwaseyi Jacqueline and Chukwuma Richard Aniunoh was held at the upscale Civic Centre on Victoria Island, Lagos.

Friends, family members and well wishers of the couple and their parents from across Nigeria, the West African sub region, and across the shores of Nigeria, attended the event in huge numbers; all parading attires that best suit their cultures. It was a rich kaleidoscope of beautiful colours celebrating the power of dressing of the average Nigerian and West Africans.

The reception formally began with the grand entry of the mother of the bride and other family members.

The groom’s parents, Chief and Chief Mrs Aniunoh, from Umuoji in Anambra State, were heavily supported by family members, friends and well wishers, as everyone displayed their joy through dancing.

The chairman of the reception, Brig Gen Lubor, who drew from his 30 years experience in the sacred marriage institution, took on the couple in a small test to see if they are really prepared for married life, and its challenges. He congratulated the couple and their parents and urged them to endeavour to sort out their problems without seeking external intervention.

The couple cut their wedding cake, after the magical 4 letter word- LOVE, was jointly spelt by the audience. The feeding of the couple was next, and they engaged in a quick interactive love notes here.

The toast of the couple was ably proposed by a long time friend of the groom, who asked everyone to rise and clink glasses. The bridal dance was next. There was the throwing of the bouquet of flowers by the bride, while the groom threw the gutter.

The vote of thanks was given by the groom, who thanked everyone for the role they played in the success of the marriage.

From then, it was music and marathon celebration galore and between the live band and the DJ. They ensured that there was no dull moment till the wedding ended.

It’s hearty congratulations to the De-souza and Aniunoh families on the success of your children’s marriage.