Photos: Ajimobi’s son and Ganduje’s daughter’s wedding

IBADAN, the Oyo State capital, literally became a Mecca of sorts, as personalities from all walks of life converged on the ancient city to grace the talk-of the- town wedding reception of Idris and Fatima, son and daughter of Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State and his Kano State counterpart, Alhaji Abdulahi Ganduje.  

                             L-R: A former Governor of Osun State, Chief Olagunsoye Oyinlola; Wife of a former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Derin Osoba; and her husband, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, at the reception

An Ibadan-based industrialist/CEO Jogor Centre, Mr. Femi Babalola; and Ondo State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, at the reception
                                 

L-R: Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode; Wife of Osun State Governor, Mrs. Sherifat Aregbesola; and Groom’s father, Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, at the reception
                                               

L-R: Oba of Lagos, Oba Riliwan Akiolu; and Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, at the reception
                   
                                     

L-R: A former Governor of Ekiti State, Chief Niyi Adebayo; Wife of Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; and the minister, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, at the wedding reception for Idris and Fateemah Ajimobi, at Agodi Gardens, Ibadan… on Saturday. Photo: Oyo State Governor’s Office
                                 

L-R: Senator Kabiru Gaya; a former Governor of Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala; and his wife, Kemi, at the reception
                       

L-R: A former Governor of Ekiti State, Chief Niyi Adebayo; Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; and Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, at the reception

L-R: National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; Groom’s father, Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State; Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; and an industrialist, Sir Kesington A Deputy  

L-R: Groom’s mother, Chief Florence Ajimobi; Groom, Idris; Bride, Fateemah; Wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari; and Groom’s father, Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, during a reception for the couple, at Agodi Gardens, Ibadan… on Saturday.

L-R: Bride’s father, Governor Umaru Ganduje of Kano State; Groom’s mother, Chief Florence Ajimobi; Bride, Fateemah; Groom, Idris; Wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari; Bride’s mother, Hajia Hafsat Ganduje; and Groom’s father, Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, during a reception for the couple, at Agodi Gardens, Ibadan on Saturday.
Credit :Vanguard Newspaper

Photos: Buhari, Governors storm Kano to celebrate wedding of Ganduje’s daughter

Excitement, as P-Square, Dr. Sid rock Owerri

P-square

As part of activities to celebrate this year’s Imo Carnival, Yudala recently staged a special concert in Owerri tagged Imo My Pride Mega Music Concert.

The event, which witnessed massive turn out from locals, featured performance by twin sensation, P-Square and Mavins star, Dr. Sid, who kept the crowd on their feet all night.

In attendance are the Executive Governor, Imo State, Dr. Rochas Okorocha; Deputy Governor, Eze Madumere; Chairman, Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh, members of the Imo State House of Assembly and a number of first class traditional rulers. Also in attendance was the Executive Governor, Cross River, Prof. Ben Ayade, who was the Special Guest of Honour.

A night, which got underway with a carnival parade by dance troupes from various local governments in Imo State eventually saw a high-octane musical feast, when the Yudala Imo My Pride Concert commenced from 2am.

With upcoming act Akuchi Amadi raising the curtain and David Grey again showing why he is unarguably one of the most promising talents in the music scene, the atmosphere was lifted when Ten Over Ten crooner, Naeto C took over.

Next up was Dr. Sid and he got everyone dancing. Hit after hit, the Mavins star and medical doctor-turned-singer/songwriter took the crowd to a higher level with an energetic performance, which prepared the grounds for headline acts, P-Square.

In their usual style, the Anambra-born entertainers did not disappoint, delivering a thrilling performance featuring a plethora of hit songs with the high-point being the rendition of their latest effort Bank Alert, which had everyone singing and dancing along.

First Photos From Stephanie Coker's Traditional Wedding

These are photos from media personality, Stephanie Coker and fiancee, Olumide Adenirokun traditional wedding today.

#stephmitide1617

See more photos below...

Osita Iheme, Victor Osuagwu & Klint Da Drunk At Rivers State PDP End Of Year Party (Photos )

Nigerian comedian Klint Da Drunk and Nollywood actors Osita Iheme and Victor Osuagwu yesterday attended Rivers state PDP Christmas /end of year party at Polo Club . Klint Da Drunk made the event cheerful with his performance.
See photos below

The Igue Festival Of Benin Kingdom, Nigeria.

The Igue festival is the biggest and most flamboyant of all the festivals celebrated by the Oba and people of Benin Kingdom. It is normally celebrated with a lot of pomp and pageantry during the first half of the month of December (first fourteen days of the month) of every year. This article is about the events of the Igue festival of Benin Kingdom, Nigeria.
The Igue festival is a set of annual cycle of rituals and rites that are performed to purify and strengthen the Oba and the kingdom in preparation for the New Year.
According to Bini history, the Igue festival has been celebrated for more than 1000 years. The modern day Igue begins with the Ague, which is a period of fasting when the Oba and his chiefs go into strict seclusion. They are not allowed to see anyone during this period. It is only after successful completion of the Ague that the Igue can begin in earnest.
The British invasion and consequent capture and sending into exile of Oba Ovonramwen saw the interruption of Igue celebrations in 1897. It was not until the restoration of the monarchy in 1914 that the celebration of the festival was restored.
During the celebration of the Igue festival, it is forbidden to hold any burial or funeral ceremonies in Benin kingdom. This is because Igue is seen as a period of joy, and should not be interrupted with any form of public mourning.
The Igue festival is actually a culmination of nine different ceremonies or Ugie as chronicled by the outstanding research done by Prince Ademola Iyi-Eweka (Ph.D).
Ugie Iron : This ceremony is a celebratory re-enactment of the victory of the Oba during his conflicts with the Uzama nobles and other historical events such as the drowning of Oba Ehengbuda at Ikorodu and the assassination of Iyase Emuze on the directives of Oba Ohen.
Ugie Erha’Oba : Erha’Oba literarily means father of the Oba. This ceremony is dedicated to the memory of the father of the reigning Oba and all the royal ancestors, and also to strengthen and purify the kingdom. This is actually the most flamboyant of all the Igue ceremonies. The Oba is joined in this celebration by all the Binis. He is dressed in full coral regalia and performs the ritual dance with the Eben (traditional sword) in honour of his father. This ceremony takes place in the Ugha-Erha Oba.
Igue Oba : This ceremony is held at the Ugha Ozolua which is the point of activity of most social and traditional ceremonies. It involves performances by various groups and guilds of the Benin Kingdom. After the performances, the Oba then proceeds to pay homage to Oba Ozolua, the great warrior king who first exchanged ambassadors with the Portuguese in 1486.
The Oba then proceeds to offer prayers and asks for ancestral guidance during the ceremony, after which he is purified by the Ewaise guild. The Oba is then taken for further purification and fortification by the Ogiefa N’Umuekpo. Fourteen different herbs are used for this purification ritual. The Ogiefa grinds one set of herbs while the other set is ground by a young girl who must be below the age of puberty. After applying the herbs, the Ogiefa rocks the Oba from side to side indicating that the he has been successfully sanctified and fortified for another year. The Oton priests then offer prayers for the Oba.
The highlight of the Igue Oba ceremony is the wonderful display of dance steps by the elegantly dressed chiefs, which is topped up with the symbolic throwing into the air and catching of the Eben. The various palace chiefs come out to perform this dance in order of seniority. A sacred crossbar is kept in place, which restricts the entrance of junior chiefs from the arena, only those chiefs who have completed all the four stages of chieftaincy ceremonies are permitted entry into the arena. The Iyase who is the Commander in Chief of the Oba’s army performs the necessary rites to remove the crossbar.
After this event, animals are slaughtered and the blood used to anoint the head, hands and feet of the Oba, referred to as the worship of the Omo N’Oba’s head.
Igue Ivbioba and Igue Edo’Hia : Two days after the Igue Oba ceremonies, the princes and princesses perform their own Igue rituals in their homes, followed by the entire Benin nation. This involves the sacrificing of goats and offering of coconuts. On the night of the Igue’Edohia, they perform a traditional fireworks display which is believed to send all the evil forces away from the kingdom before the New Year.
Ugie Ewere : The Igue festival is concluded with the Ugie Ewere ceremonies. This is normally done in the early hours of the morning by presenting the Ebe’ewere leaves to the Oba. These leaves symbolize joy and prosperity. Bini history has it that this ceremony was incorporated into the Igue festival by Oba Ewuare, to re-enact his fruitful and blissful marriage to Ewere, the daughter of Ogie’Ekae. The procession to the palace is normally a flamboyant and colourful event which involves the chiefs dancing to the palace along with their followers. The Ewere leaves serves as New Year gift to all Edo people.
The Igue festival as celebrated in Benin is mainly held to offer thanks for a year just past and to ask for blessing for the incoming year. The Isologbe (happy New Year) greeting rings around the city after the conclusion of Igue.
The Igue festival is also an opportunity for the Bini people to display their rich culture and tradition to all those who have come to witness the colourful festival. This period sees an increase in agricultural, cultural, economic activities as people engage in buying and selling in preparation for the epic event. The festival also helps to cultivate a warm relationship between the people and foreigners, little wonder Benin City is recognized as one of the most welcoming cities to foreigners in Nigeria.
If you happen to be in Benin City during the first half of the month of December, endeavour to visit Kings Square or the palace of the Oba to catch a glimpse of the rich culture and tradition of the Bini people.
The festival has continued to draw sponsorship from the corporate world as well as drawing record crowds year on year.

by Ikponmwosa Aikhionbare

Igue Festival :Oba Ewuare II performs first Igue Festival

Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare the Second, Oba of Benin has performed his first Igue Oba ceremony.

Palace Chiefs of different classifications including prominent sons and daughters of Benin thronged the royal Palace Courtyard to be part of the ceremony.

The Cross Rivers State Governors Ball set to Take Calabar by storm ahead of Calabar Carnival Festivities | Tomorrow, December 27th

This Christmas, Cross Rivers state government kicks off its annual Calabar Carnival festivities with an exciting new event, the first ever annual Governors Ball.
Hosted by His Excellency the executive Governor Prof. Dr. Benedict Ayade is set to host people from all around the nation and the international community at large at the Governors Ball tomorrow.
Date: Tuesday, December 27th, 2016.
Venue: Calabar International Convention Centre (CICC), Cross River State.
This maiden event is part of a continuous bid to project the Cross Rivers state journey to sustainable development and project the economic potential of the fast-developing state; The Governors Ball Calabar promises to be a true celebration of the rich culture and heritage the state is renowned for.
Top acts from around the country are ready to entertain at the event which also offers a chance for attendees to network, strengthen ties and make new connections.
There is no better way to be introduced to the beautiful city of Calabar and ofcourse end the brilliant year that 2016 has been.
This event is proudly sponsored by Moet & Chandon and
Hennessy while being managed by Sabi Groove Nigeria Limited.
Don’t miss out on the excitement , follow the Governor’s ball on Instagram and Twitter with the hashtag :
#GovernorsBallCalabar

5-Year Jail Time For Anyone Who Celebrates Christmas In Brunei

Earlier the rest of the world condemned monarch-ruled Brunei after announcing the introduction of the Sharia penal code that would include penalties such as the severing of limbs and death by stoning.
The tiny but prosperous state on the island of Borneo that is ruled by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, has now made international headlines once again after the state announced a ban on Christmas.

The ban was declared on the internationally celebrated Christian holiday because the religious affairs ministry said that publicly marking non-Islamic rituals or festivities could be seen as propagations of religions other than Islam.
Roughly 20 per cent of Brunei’s residents comprise of non-Muslims, including sizeable Buddhist and Christian communities.
‘Believers of other religions that live under the rule of an Islamic country – according to Islam – may practice their religion or celebrate their religious festivities among their community, with the condition that the celebrations are not disclosed or displayed publicly to Muslims, ‘
‘Muslims should be careful not to follow celebrations such as these that are not in any way related to Islam… and could unknowingly damage the faith of Muslims. ‘ Said the government of Brunei in a statement

The tough restriction was put in place after children and adults were seen wearing clothes ‘that resemble Santa Claus’ – thereby promoting a religion other than Islam
The statement also noted that businesses that publicly displayed Christmas decorations would be asked to take them down– to which the businesses had given their ‘full cooperation’ in the matter.
The penalty for celebrating Christmas in Brunei is punishable with a jail term of up to 5-years .
Brunei’s latest decision to ban Christmas officially will no doubt, attract more international criticism- following the harsh Sharia penal code that was announced to be implemented in the state in April by Brunei’s 68-year-old Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.
So what is your take on the issue? Let us know!

Now Bride Fetches The Bride Groom’s?? The Girls Were Even Challenged To Eat The Guy’s “Banana”!

A unique custom for Chinese wedding!

Traditional custom for the Chinese wedding, the groom should bring his buddies to the bride’s house to pick up the bride. However, before entering the house, they all need to overcome some challenges! The bride’s mates normally would set ridiculous challenges for the guys before letting them get into the house.
BUT THIS COUPLE IS DOING A DIVERSE VERSION OF THE CUSTOM. THIS TIME, THE BRIDE IS HERE TO PICK UP THE GROOM!!

Now the girls finally experienced the feeling of being made fun of! The girls need to overcome these challenges to help the bride get into the house.

GULPING UP THE WHOLE BOTTLE OF BEER!

EAT THE BANANA WITHOUT USING THEIR HANDS…

PASSING THE GOLDFISH USING MOUTH!

AND FINALLY, ASKING THE GROOM OUT!

Even though this is something fresh and unique, but apparently netizens dislike how the girls are being played. It makes them look… cheap. Of course, they don’t feel that way at all. The groom and bride’s mates felt it was fun, and the whole ceremony was very interesting to them. Well, perhaps different people would think of this differently.

Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, on Saturday flagged off the One Lagos Fiesta (OLF), urging youths and entrepreneurs in the state to take full advantage of the N25billion Employment Trust Fund (ETF) initiative of his administration to grow their businesses and become self reliant.
Speaking at the Agege Stadium on day one of the annual end of the year revue put together by the state government, Ambode said the ETF was specifically designed to create greater opportunities for youths to be gainfully engaged and contribute meaningfully to the growth of Lagos.
The governor said over N6billion has already been earmarked to be disbursed annually through the ETF initiative, and that about N1billion of the fund will be pushed to the Agege division.
“I want to encourage all our youths because we are creating greater opportunities for all of you. I want you to take opportunity of applying for the Employment Trust Fund. We have monies already established to take care of your expertise.
“Those of you who are very creative; those of you who are artistic; those of you who are entrepreneurial in outlook; we have money that we will be ready to give to you to start your own business.
“We have earmarked over N6billion and we intend to push N1billion to this particular division. So, it is left for all of you to bring out your best. Whatever it is that you are doing, if you can’t get a white collar job, the ETF is there for you to help promote your business,” Ambode said.
While expressing the resolve of the government to use entertainment, arts and sports to promote tourism, the governor assured that his administration will continue to open up the tourism potential of the state with the view to getting the best from the youths.
To this end, the Governor said by 2017, government would construct an art theatre and a cinema in Igando and also build five new theatres in Ikorodu, Ikeja, Lagos Mainland, Badagry and Epe to give greater opportunities to the youths.
He, however, urged the people to remain peaceful and shun any criminal activity.
Explaining the rationale behind OLF, Ambode said it was a way of creatively engaging the youths to bring out the best in them, saying that the 2016 edition was arranged to be better, bigger and bolder than that of 2015, adding that a total of 40 shows would hold simultaneously for eight days in Badagry, Epe, Ikorodu, Agege and Victoria Island.
Earlier, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, commended Ambode for the initiative, especially for flagging the fiesta off in Agege, saying it was a thing of joy that people could have the best of fun in the area without having to travel to a far place.
He urged the people to maintain peace and say no to all forms of criminality.
Entertainers who performed on the opening day in Agege include Sir Shina Peters, Queen Salawa Abeni, Phyno, MI and Reminisce, with comedian, Omo Baba, anchoring.

Photos expression for this Season!

Breaking :Chioma Obiadi Stephanie of Anambra State crowned the 40th Miss Nigeria!

Last night the 40th edition of the Miss Nigeria pageant was held at the Eko Hotel Convention & Suites in Lagos and the show wrapped up a couple of hours ago with a newly crowned queen.
Representing Anambra, Chioma Obiadi Stephanie was crowned Miss Nigeria 2016 replacing the outgoing Leesi Peter .(Graphic pictures) :

Puerto Rico’s Stephanie Del Valle wins Miss World 2016!

Puerto Rico’s Stephanie Del Valle wins Miss World 2016! Kenya, Ghana, USA & More make Top 20. However, Nigeria’s rep Debbie Collins did not make the Top 20 list but we are so proud of her for all her hard work and amazing zest in the past couple of weeks during the competition . see photos below :