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The wedding between pop star, David Adeleke, aka Davido; and his longtime partner, Chioma Rowland, was an event that practically shook the city of Lagos. KEHINDE AJOSE, who was at the venue, writes on the highlights of the wedding
The rain poured relentlessly on Victoria Island, Lagos, on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, but it did not dampen the spirits of fans and guests who turned out in their numbers to witness the much-anticipated wedding.
The venue, Harbour Point Event Centre, buzzed with anticipation. However, the journey to get there wasn’t quite the fairytale. Gridlock choked the streets of Victoria Island, with frustrated commuters and drivers stuck in traffic. Many blamed the venue choice, arguing that a larger space would have eased congestion.
The event was practically earth shattering. In a phone conversation with the United Kingdom-based Pastor Tobi Adegboyega, Davido had told him, “All my friends and family are here. We have scattered Nigeria.”
Indeed the event ‘scattered’ Nigeria, as it is still the talk of the town both on the Internet and on the streets.
Venue confusion
Many had initially thought that the wedding would hold at the popular Eko Hotel and Suites, also on Victoria Island, as earlier announces, but were shocked when it was relocated to Harbour Point.
Tight security
Security was tight, with barricades erected at the street leading to the venue. Invitations were strictly enforced, and even members of the press faced different layers and teams of security personnel, who did not allow anyone without an invitation entry. At a point, our correspondent was struck with a pipe on his leg by an overzealous soldier, who assaulted him for trying to approach the entrance to the street.
Davido’s dramatic entry
Davido, ever the showman, did not disappoint with his arrival. A long motorcade with sirens blaring heralded his entrance. Dressed in a white and red Igbo traditional attire, he stood aloft in his car with the upper part of his body through the vehicle’s sunroof, acknowledging the chants of his fans who called, “OBO! OBO! 001 001.”
Indeed, the energy was electric, with bystanders whipping out their phones to get a picture of the superstar groom.
‘Your daughter will be protected, respected, connected’, Davido promises
As is customary during traditional weddings, Davido and his friends had to prostrate themselves before Chioma’s parents and other family members to beg for her hands in marriage.
While on the floor, the singer promised, “Your daughter will be protected, respected and connected,” to the applause of guests.
The singer also stated that it was the happiest day of his life.
Another touching moment was when Chioma’s family prayed for her. During the session, the person who led the prayer acknowledged the couple’s journey, highlighting the ‘battles’ Chioma had fought in the course of their relationship.
Recall that the couple lost their son, Ifeanyi, on October 31, 2022, when he drowned in a pool in their Lagos home; and the singer has been involved in cheating scandals, which some had thought would tear their relationship apart.
As part of the traditional rites at the event, Chioma knelt down gracefully to offer her husband a drink. He eagerly accepted it, and lovingly helped her back on her feet.
Singer shares dad’s prophecy
During the event, an excited Davido revealed a vision his father once shared with him. The happy groom said, “My father told me he had a vision about me. When I asked him what it was, he said, ‘David, I had a vision that you ended your music career as a gospel singer’.” Unsurprisingly, the revelation elicited raucous laughter from guests present.
Latest couple gets surprise SUV gift
At the elaborate event, an automobile company, GAC Motors, surprised the couple with a brand new Sport Utility Vehicle. An elated Davido then led his wife, who was beaming with smiles, to inspect the gleaming white vehicle, which was parked on the premises of the event centre.
A post shared on the company’s Instagram page read, “GAC Motor Nigeria gifts Davido and his wife a brand new GAC Motor 2024 GN8 MPV as a wedding gift.”
‘Spray dollars not naira’, Ebuka warned guests
Media personality and master of ceremonies at the high octane wedding, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, took time to warn guests against abusing the naira by spraying it.
He humorously stated that should spray dollars instead. He said, “We have one very important announcement— EFCC is watching us. Don’t do it. But, they said we can do it to the dollar. If you are bringing naira, we have a basket for you. But, if you are spraying dollars, feel free; Joe Biden is not here. We do not abuse the naira. Don’t be shy; bring drop it like an offering inside the basket.”
Like wedding, like concert
Being the wedding of an A-list artiste, it was not surprising that at some point, the nuptials had the semblance of a concert.
Legendary juju singer, King Sunny Ade, and his band were in their elements as they serenaded the guests with a medley of the singer’s timeless songs. In the course of his performance, KSA called Chioma by her new surname, ‘Adeleke’, to the admiration of many. Davido also showed respect by prostrating himself for the iconic musician.
‘Running to You’ crooner, Chike, was also on hand to perform some of his love songs, while Kcee energised the reception with his performance, and the moves of his dancers who were garbed like masquerades from the South-East.
The after-party took things a notch higher as there were performances by many entertainers, such as Fireboy, and dance, Poco Lee.
Budding singers— Boypee, Hyce, and Brown Joel— also rendered their hit track titled, ‘Ogechi’. Davido also joined them to perform, for the first time, the remix of the song, on which he used his wife’s name.
The excitement took another dimension when rapper, singer and YBNL boss, Olamide, surprised Davido by showing up and performing at the event. Sharing a heartfelt hug, Davido stated that Olamide had informed him that he would not be able to attend the event.
Dignitaries, celebs everywhere
To say that wedding was star-studded would undoubtedly qualify as an understatement. Personalities from different walks of life came out in their numbers to celebrate with the couple.
Dignitaries at the event included former President Olusegun Obasanjo, governors of Lagos, Ogun, Abia and Edo states, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Dapo Abiodun, Alex Otti and Godwin Obaseki, respectively.
Others were a former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; son of the President, Seyi Tinubu; Senator Daisy Danjuma, football legend, Jay Jay Okocha; singer, producer and record label boss, Don Jazzy; billionaire businessman, Obi Cubana, Cubana Chief Priest, E-Money, Victor Osimhen, Ini Edo, and Rudeboy and Mr P (of P-Square fame), among others.
Fashion extravaganza
Another high point of the event were the fashion choices made by the attendees. It was indeed a sight for sore eyes as many of the guests turned out in different elaborate styles.
Leading the charge, Chioma and Davido wowed in different outfits, including traditional Yoruba and Igbo attire. For the after-party, Chioma wore a glittering wine-coloured gown, while Davido wore a black native.
For the traditional Igbo look, Chioma wore a white and red corset dress with a long train and red coral beads.
Post-wedding social media drama
After the wedding, controversial social media personality, Martin Otse, aka VeryDarkMan, stirred up a hornet’s nest, when he claimed that actress, Iyabo Ojo, and some other celebrities were only invited to the after-party which was to start by 5pm, and not the main event, which was billed for 10am. He also claimed that another actress, Nkechi Blessing, was almost denied entry to the event. In a video he shared on social media, he had said, “Most of your celebrities sneaked into the party. They don’t have ‘level’. Iyabo Ojo was not invited to the main wedding.”
Reacting, Ojo and her daughter, Priscy, shared pictures of their invites indicating that they were invited for the 10am main wedding.
Ojo’s lover and showbiz personality, Paul Okoye, aka Paul O, lambasted VDM for being rude to Ojo. He wrote, “Pray for this guy, the person who placed a curse on him is dead. It’s a pity he has to live with this condition for the rest of his miserable life.”
Not one to take such comments lying low, VDM fired back, saying, “With no due respect, I will advise you to stay off this issue. Don’t get involved because it has nothing to do with you.”
Evidently incensed by VDM’s utterances, Paul O stated that people who were close to VDM, such as Davido, Seun Kuti, Cubana Chief Priest and Poco Lee should choose between being friends with him, and VDM. His post read in part, “This nonsense stops today. Either me (friend) or him (VDM). You need to make a decision.”
Ostensibly referring to VDM, Obi Cubana also wrote on social media, “Dear blogs, please stop giving visibility to youth insulting elders. You enable them! We can’t continue to enable rubbish. Stop, please.”
No-shows
Though there were many celebrities in attendance, the conspicuous absence of some entertainers also raised eyebrows. Some of the top entertainers who were absent include Wizkid, Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, Eniola Badmus and Kizz Daniel, among others.
English (US) ·