Friends forever

They lived in the same neighbourhood, but were not friends. Today, Ademola Somorin, a banker, and former Miss Stella Oyibo, a teacher, are man and wife. They got married in Ilupeju, Lagos last Saturday. OLATUNDE ODEBIYI reports.

If they had been told they would marry each other they would not have believed. Reason: They lived in the same neighbourhood in their younger days, but were not friends.

But about eight years ago, the story changed. They became friends and five years later,  Stella, a teacher, and Ademola Somorin, a banker, knew they were meant for each other.

Last Saturday, the lovebirds, who grew up in Anthony Village, Lagos, got married at Emmanuel Chapel in Ilupeju, Lagos.

Stella was all smiles. It was her day. Her father, Mr Alexander Oyibo, who is based in the United States, walked her to the altar.  Stella told The Nation how she met her husband. She said: “We have always known each other but we were not friends. One major friend has tried so many times to match make us but we were always not interested. But, at the right time, both of us decided to move on and have something to do with ourselves and am glad that today I am finally his wife.”

Ademola, an employee of Zenith Bank, is the son of the late Mr Abayomi Somorin, who was a Chattered Accountant/Chief Executive officer, Eminent Group of Companies. His mother Yetunde Somorin is the proprietor of Temas School in Ikeja, Lagos. He added: “We don’t really use to talk, it was just ‘hi’ and ‘hello’ that we said to each other. We grew up in Anthony Village and after some time we started talking, and seeing each other. Sometimes, we will not see for a while and we will see again. But as time went on, I discovered that she is different from other women, she is God-fearing, the word of God in her life cannot be overemphasised. She is a woman that can pray for her family and that is what any man needs”.

The solemnisation of their marriage was witnessed by family members, friends and well wishers. Some of the guests clad in green lace and yellow head gear, which were the colours of the day.

Stella was beautiful in her white wedding gown and veil. Ademola was charming in grey pair of trousers, suit and jacket. His green tie on the white shirt added beauty to his dressing.

Rev Adebayo Siyanbola of Methodist Church, Lagos officiated at the ceremony. He said the opening prayers and the choir led the praise and worship.

Apostle Emmanuel Ediomo from Terbanacle of Mercy and Miracle, Sapele in Delta State led the couple to exchange marital vows and rings.

The cleric prayed for them, urging them to dress and keep their marriage like God told Adam to dress and keep the garden of Eden in the Bible.

The cleric lamented that most of the issues members see their pastor for are marital, rating them at 60 per cent.

He added that marriage is not a laughing matter. “You have to watch it for you to have the best from it. If you sow nonsense, you will reap nonsense. Don’t allow technology like the ipads, android phone, uploading and browsing to take the place of your partner. It should not cause issues in your marriage,” he said.

At the Rajulie hall in the same premises where the reception held, Caleb Ogechukwu aka Calibird was the Master of the ceremonies (MC).

The hall was tastefully decorated in the colours of the day. The bridal seat was decorated in white with white pillars and flowers of yellow and green colours all over.

Mistimonta Band ushered in the couple’s parents with songs into the hall. The groom’s father was represented by his elder brother, Prof Owolabi Somorin.

As the couple entered, guests stood up to honour them. They danced to music from Black Beat Disc Jockey.

Mrs Odusola Stevenson led the opening prayer.

The Chairman on the occasion Chief Sunny Okpurie urged the gathering to enjoy the day. The Mc led the couple to cut the cake. They had their bridal dance and other guests joined them on the dance floor.

The groom said he felt fulfilled for marrying someone he loves.

He said she is God-fearing, adding: “She is a teacher and that means my kids will not lack any good education. She is a caring person who will go all out to make sure that I am fine no matter what it costs her. These are characters that geared me toward making a decision of spending the rest of my life with her,” he said.

The bride said she was excited but gave glory to God for the day. She described her husband as focused and loving.

The mother of the groom, Deaconess Somorin told the couple to work and pray together. She described her son as loving and cool-headed, adding that her daughter-in-law is good. She said she would greatly miss her son.

Mother of the bride, Mrs Josephine Oyibo, said the day was wonderful and God had been faithful to her.

She urged the couple to be patient and understand each another. “They must resolve differences between themselves. Bringing a third person does not help in marriage,” she said.

She said her daughter has been patient and caring, adding she would miss everything about her daughter because she was always there for her. They have many things in common and she is her birthday mate.

Father of the bride, Mr Oyibo, said he was proud to have brought up his daughter to the point of marriage.

He said: “Many ladies these days do not even care about marriage. I was proud when my daughter brought somebody that I am satisfied with and Iam glad to give out my daughter today to the family that she wants to marry.

“My daughter is a well-groomed lady. Right from the beginning, she had a good education, and I made her know the value of education and I supported her. She is hard working and an associate teacher; I think if all teachers are like her, this world would be peaceful.”

He said he would miss her, especially her smile and help. “But, there comes a time that we have to let go for the person that will take good care of her and I think the person I gave her to will not make me to miss her because he will take good care of her,” he said.

Oyibo promised to be in touch with them, adding that he would not interfere with their marriage. He told them that marriage is give and take. “Marriage is something you have to reverence. It is the way you take care of your marriage that it will be for you,” he said.

The post Friends forever appeared first on The Nation.

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