Nigerians flock to Bermuda for weddings

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This weekend I attended a wedding with a difference that defined fabulous.

It united two incredibly accomplished Nigerian families through the bride, an investment banker and her husband, a highly successful young entreprenuer and businessman.

Scores of kinfolk flew to Bermuda from Lagos, Nigeria, London, various cities in the US and elsewhere to witness the exchange of vows in the Anglican Cathedral in Hamilton.

Officiating was Canon James Francis, Rector of Anglican Christ Church, Devonshire. He was assisted by an uncle of the bride, the Ven Gbenga Fagbemi of Lagos. Three other uncles in their native robes stood to give away in marriage Miss Oladele Halya-Oladipo to Babafunke Adesua Abdulai. Looking on of course were their proud parents.

There was a virtual traffic jam outside the Cathedral as curious crowds were attracted by the young couple and guests as they arrived and departed for a reception at Tucker’s Point Hotel in the East End. The weather was most favourable, bright and sunny, with the rest of the country in full anticipation of the gathering storm on the horizon that later became Hurricane Leslie.

The groom is the founder and manager of Tempohousing Nigeria, which in partnership with a Dutch enterprise is currently mandated to build over 1,000 bed spaces for students and staff for a university and oil and gas concern respectively.

The bride is a Godchild of the Premier. Her mother and the Premier became friends at university in London when the latterwas studying international law and the Nigerian was qualifying in pharmacy. She has been a frequent visitor to Bermuda and in fact was a bridesmaid in the Cox bridal party when the latter was married in the Cathedral.

The bride’s stepfather is a prominent obstetrician and gynaecologist in Lagos. As a matter of interest, her husband’s father is owner of one of the largest private hospitals in Lagos; and he is also a celebrated author of published poetry and prose.

All four of the bride’s siblings, including the one whose home is in Springfield, Missouri were in Bermuda for the wedding. Most especially among them were her brother and his bride. That couple were maried in a similarly fabouslous wedding in London nine days earlier, on August 24, to be exact.

The 12-page wedding program listed Premier Cox as ‘Mother of the Day.’ Following were names of the six maids, six flower girls; ‘little bride’ and names of the eight groomsmen, ring bearer and four page boys.

Master of Ceremonies at the reception was well-known Government Permanent Secretary Robert (Bobby) Horton. He took a delight in welcoming the guests, speaking the few words in the Yoruba language he seemingly had mastered. Nigerian music enlivened the beautifully decorated hall, particularly for the singing of the prayer and grace and the arrival of the bridal party who “burst” on the scene as separate couples.

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