* As Maryam and Aishah unite in matrimony with Ali and Sodiq
It was a day of grace, elegance and deep spiritual meaning as the Olagunju Royal Family of Ede, Osun State, opened a new chapter in its storied lineage, one defined by faith, love and shared values.
On Saturday, January 24, 2026, the beautifully adorned AS Badeh Event Centre at the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre in Oshodi, Lagos, played host to a remarkable double Nikaah and Walimatul Nikaah ceremony that united two families and celebrated the enduring Islamic institution of marriage.
At the heart of the celebration were two royal sisters, Princess Maryam Kikelomo and Princess Aishah Titilope, daughters of Alhaji (Prince) Imran Kola Bushra, retired Director of Information, Osun State Local Government Service Commission, and Alhaji (Prince) Sulaiman Olagunju, Executive Director of the Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation.
In a joyful yet solemn atmosphere, Princess Maryam was joined in marriage to Ali Olalekan, son of the late Alhaji AbdGaniy Muhammad and Alhaja Aishah Muhammad. Her sister, Princess Aishah, was given in marriage to Sodiq Omotayo, son of the late Mr Miftahudeen Idowu and Mrs Fatimah Idowu.
Beyond celebration, A call to conscious living
Beyond the regal presence and tasteful decor, the ceremony stood out for its strong spiritual message. Delivering the Nikaah lecture was Hon Abdullateef AbdulHakeem, a renowned Islamic scholar and former Commissioner for Home Affairs in Lagos State, whose message set a reflective tone for the occasion.
His lecture centred on the articles of faith, which he described as the compass that must guide every Muslim home. He cautioned the couples against trivialising matters of belief or excusing personal shortcomings by pointing to a partner’s mistakes.
According to him, accountability before Allah remains personal, even within marriage, urging the couples not to justify disobedience to God by invoking the misbehaviour of a spouse.
Hon AbdulLateef, the former Chairman of the Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), described marriage in Islam as an act of worship and a serious responsibility that can lead spouses to Paradise when carried out in line with divine injunctions.
He urged the grooms to care for their wives by providing for their needs with kindness and responsibility, while advising the brides to respect and obey their husbands in accordance with Islamic teachings.
Mutual respect, patience and God consciousness, he said, are the pillars of a peaceful and lasting home.
A sacred bond publicly affirmed
The marriages were solemnised by Professor Tajudeen Yusuf, a university don and President of the International Institute of Islamic Finance Professionals, who formally pronounced the couples as husbands and wives before families, scholars, dignitaries and well wishers who witnessed the unions.
One of the most symbolic moments of the ceremony was the presentation of marriage certificates by the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria, Lagos State Area Unit. The gesture reflected the organisation’s role in mentoring and nurturing the couples during their formative years and underscored the importance of continuity in moral and spiritual guidance.
Faith, family and the future
As prayers were offered for peace, love and divine blessings in the new homes, the gathering reflected on the deeper meaning of Nikaah, an institution Islam describes as a source of tranquillity, affection and mercy.
In a time when many marriages begin with celebration but lack spiritual grounding, the Double Nikaah of the Olagunju princesses stood as a reminder that faith remains the strongest foundation for love.
When families, scholars and communities unite in obedience to Allah, marriage becomes more than a union of two individuals. It becomes a legacy of values, responsibility and hope for generations to come.
We congratulate the couples, especially Maryam, who contributed her knowledge and expertise to Muslim News Nigeria as a presenter. May Allah bless their union, shower their new homes with love and mercy, and grant them lasting peace and happiness.
Barakallāhu lakumā wa baraka ‘alaykumā wa jama‘a baynakumā fī khayr.
May Allah bless you both, shower His blessings upon you, and unite you in goodness.
Nigerian Muslim Personalities of the Year 2024/2025
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