Lagos, the commercial nerve of Nigeria on Saturday, stood still as the families of Alhaji and late Alhaja Mojeed and Alhaji and Alhaja Oyefeso gathered friends and families for the aqdu and walimatu nikaah of their children, Aminah Adedoyin and Abdullateef Adewale.
The colourful nikaah hashtagged #DoubleAunion22 was held at the well-spaced and beautiful, Haven Centre, Adekunle Fajuyi Way, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.
The groom, who is a lawyer, is one of the children of Barrister Musibau Oyefeso, the Chairman of Aiyepe Central Mosque, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State and former Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) Commissioner; and Hajiya Fatimah Oyefeso, a retired First Bank Manager and former National Amirah of The Criterion, an Association of Muslim Women in Business and the Professions.
The nikaah had in attendance the Minister of Mines and Steel, Arch. Olamilekan Adegbite; the number two citizen of Lagos State, Dr. Abdulkadir Obafemi Hamzat, who led other creme de la creme of the Muslims in Lagos, Aiyepe, Ogun State, and the entire southwest to the glamorous shindig.
Also in attendance were the immediate past deputy governor of the state, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule; Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the University of Ilorin Governing Council, Dr. Abdullah Jibril Oyekan, MFR; Director at Murhi International TV, MITV, Tunde Okunola; Prof. Wole Abbas, representative of MUSWEN; and former APC legal adviser, an associate of the groom’s father, Barr. Muiz Banire, among others.
The guests, including the Ulamah (Muslim scholars) and His royal highness, Oba Adebisi Rosiji Adesoji, Obiri of Aiyepe, Ijebu-Ogun, were already seated as the groom, garbed in white agbada stepped in with his friends who also adorned the same agbada attire, but with peach-coloured caps.
Immediately, the bride, a vibrant and young entrepreneur, also flowed in a white ball gown was ushered into the beautifully decorated venue, accompanied by her dad, Alhaji Mojeed, and her friends, as the solemnization kicked off a few minutes past 11:00 am with an opening prayer by the Chief Imam of LightHouse Central Mosque, Lekki, Ustaz Nojeem Jimoh.
The proceedings as monitored by Muslim News Islamtaiment was followed by a beautiful recitation of the Noble Qur’an by the groom’s sibling, Abdul Basit, a first-class graduate of Harvard University, UK.
Interestingly, AbdulLateef bagged first degree and Masters in Law from Buckingham University, London in 2012. He proceeded to the Nigerian Law School and was called to the Nigerian bar in 2013. The latest groom is a chattered arbitrator and concilliator. He has worked in MA Banire and Associates, Sofunde, Belgore and Aluko Law firms. He later established LA Oyefeso and Associates.
The bride, Aminah Adedoyin finished from Babcock University with a second class upper grade, where she studied Business Administration. She is presently into Digital Marketing.
– Put forward the fear of Allah, Sheikh Ayinla admonishes couple
Guest speaker, the Chief Imam, Nawar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh Abdul Majeed Ayinla, admonished the couple to put forward the fear of Allah in dealing with one another.
Quoting from the Noble Qur’an, the revered Imam said, “those who believe in Allah and do works of righteousness, He will bless them with His love.” Qur’an 19: 16.
Sheikh Ayinla said if individuals follow Allah’s injunction, and do good deeds, there will be tranquillity in the society and the abnormalities we witness on a daily basis in the society would not be there.
“You both should let eeman be in your family. And continue to do good that you learnt from your parents who have dedicated their lives to the propagation of Islam. Be good ambassadors of Islam, your parents, your family, and society.
“You both should fear Allah in your union, be dutiful to one another, avoid leaking your family secrets, be contented, respect one another, help yourselves, have abundance of patience, uphold cleanliness and pray a lot”, he advised.
...As the couple were pronounced husband and wife
The Aqdu reached its climax when the bride’s father cheerfully gave out his daughter at the request of the groom’s father.
Speaking on the conditions to be met for the validity of the union, the officiating Imam, Sheikh Ismail Yusuf, said “tying the knot in Islam requires just 4 things. First is the proposal and acceptance. The husband (Abdullateef) proposes and the wife (Aminah) should accept.
“Second is the guardian of the wife to be, which is our father, Alhaji Mojeed, present here. Next is the mahr (dowry) which is a copy of the Qur’an and lastly are the witnesses from both families, who must have some characteristics including observing regular solah”.
After all the conditions were met, with additional 1000 dollars mahr, Sheikh Yusuf, who is an Arabic teacher to the bride and by extension, the groom, pronounced the couple as husband and wife.
Goodwill messages
In their goodwill messages, the present and immediate past Deputy governors, Dr. Hamzat and Dr. Adebule thanked Allah for the successful conjugal bliss, calling on the couple to remain united, adding that they should not share their privacy with anyone outside their marriage.
“AbdulLateef, may Allah bless and enrich you to be able to provide for your family, because women love money (smiles)”, the Deputy Governor said, as he advised the couple.
“When you go to the airport, you see people with overload luggage, but you must travel light, because that will make your journey so smooth. Always try to resolve issues among yourself instead of looking for third parties. Alhamdulillah that you’re Muslims, intensify your prayers. And to the wife, your husband is the head of the house. Respect him and I pray Almighty Allah blessed your home,” he said.
Dr. Adebule said, “Please, be close to each other, and don’t leave yourself. As it has been said earlier, don’t share your privacy with anyone.
“AbdulLateef, if your wife offends you, find time to sit her down and discuss with her. She might have reasons for whatever she might have done. She’ll explain. If it’s the other way, Aminah, find time to always discuss with your husband. Open your heart to your husband,” she added.
Roll-Call
Among those who graced the event were the Chief of Staff to the Ogun State Governor, Alhaji Salis Shuaib; Executive Chairman, Royal, Gold, & Apple Direct Ltd., Alhaji Jamiu Ekungba; Executive Secretary, Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board (LSMWPB), Imam AbdulHakeem Kosoko; the immediate past National Amir of The Companion, Alhaji Thabit Wale Sonaike; among others important guests.
The Chief Imam, Aiyepe Central Mosque, Ijebu, Alhaji Shafihiyu Awosanya; Chief Imam, Surulere, Lagos, Sheikh Sulaiman Ibrahim, and the leadership of different Muslim Organisations such as MUSWEN, The Nucleus, Alasalatu Aiyepe, Nawar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, The Companion, The Criteria, MSSN, among others were also present to honour the two lovely and wonderful family that became one.
Engagement/Reception
Immediately after the Aqdu, engagement, and reception were held at the same venue to celebrate the wonderful union, the reception was chaired by the Minister of Mines and Steel, Arch. Olamilekan Adegbite.
Watch out for the second part of the report on this platform.
Muslim News, Nigeria’s most authoritative Islamic Newspaper, rejoices with the latest couple and their families. Baraka Allahu lakuma, wa baraka ‘alaykuma, wa jama’a baynakuma fi khayr. Ameen
