The Nigerian Village Square - My Brother’s Wedding

My Brother’s Wedding

Written by Rudolf Ogoo Okonkwo

Tuesday, 30 October 2007

I have six siblings – Churchill and others.

From the very beginning, I was told that as the first child, I should also be the best – the best child – the best boy- the best man.

I had the additional advantage of being my grandfather. It meant that I am my father’s father, my grandmother’s husband, and my siblings’ grandfather.

I was also the child whose name our mother bore – Mama Ogoo.

For a very long time it stayed that way.

In 2002, I went home after many years abroad. Then, Churchill was just another unemployed graduate full of potentials, yet roaming the streets of Nigeria .

Last year, I visited home again. It was a different home – a home that was so transformed by Churchill’s touch that everywhere I went, I was introduced to people as Churchill’s brother.

It took me time to figure out how Churchill did it. He did it by sharing his journey and not hugging it.

At the end of today, when I take off my tuxedo, I effectively will end my reign as the best man. For, ladies and gentlemen, this is the man – the best man there is.

Let me take a minute to thank those who made him the man he is: our parents, Hon. J.C. Okonkwo and Madam J.C. Those two taught us just two things: one was to make for ourselves what we want to be, the other was that our greatest possession in life is our integrity. Cousin Sunny Nwosu for his never ending support. Dickson Ik Ojukwu, cousin per excellence. Our two big cousins, Samson Okafor and Kenneth Okafor, for inspiring a new generation.

And to my beautiful wife, Edna, for believing. This all happened because she believed.

And finally, to the person who from now on will see that he remains the best man – Chi-Chi Okonkwo.

Bride and Groom dancing away.

Groom and friends.

Wedding Party.

Bride's friends.

Bride & the mother of the bride, Mrs. Irene Ekunno.

Bride, Groom & the Priest.

Bride & Groom in native.

Robot Robot is offline
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	# 1 It took me time to figure out how Churchill did it. He did it by sharing his journey and not hugg...Read the full article. Posted by Robot\| 30.10.2007 20:46

udokaamah udokaamah is offline
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	# 2 Very happy party indeed. I wish you joy, even after ten years. Posted by udokaamah\| 30.10.2007 21:38

planet1899 planet1899 is offline
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	# 3 After the 10th year what happens? Posted by planet1899\| 30.10.2007 23:01

Chidi Giniji Chidi Giniji is offline
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	# 4 =planet1899;2091815307>After the 10th year what happens? After the 10th year there will be a few more little Okonkwos ebulliently zipping all over the places or ... what else do you want? :lol: Posted by Chidi Giniji\| 30.10.2007 23:40

realcode realcode is offline
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	# 5 At the risk of sinking the floating boat, but are they dressed like Western Nigerians? The picture that says 'dressed in native' has an agbada and something that looks very West or North Nigerian in it. :confused1 Posted by realcode\| 31.10.2007 00:15

Emperoneroh Emperoneroh is offline
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	# 6 Chruchill, Where's Gozie and Oracle? Posted by Emperoneroh\| 31.10.2007 02:58

Caeser Caeser is offline
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	# 7 Congratulations on the recent 'incarceration' of your younger sibling. Congratulation to the newly wedded couple too. One observation if you dont mind: 1) Your name reads like you are Igbo. Correct me if i'm mistaken. Your attire i.e the traditional ones are definitely from the South westen Nigeria namely Yoruba. My question is, how and when do we propagate the traditional Igbo attire? Why is it so convenient for Igbos to adorn themselves in Northern and Western Nigeria garbs to the utter neglect of traditional Igbo clothes? Is it that we do not have traditional Igbo clothes or that in the so many years of our Westernization and Northernization we have forgotten to develop, enthrone and celebrate that which singles us out from the rest and makes us unique? Igbos should immediately revert to their roots and try to rehabilitate a comatose culture. Our language and mode of dressing should be seriously addressed. As we all know and as have been previously discussed in the square our kids including those born in Nigeria, in the diaspora and in 'cyberspace' have lost grip and interest with our culture as Igbos. They do not speak our language and perceive fluency in English Hausa and Yoruba as an in thing while their only understanding of our traditional attire is the Hausa dakubiam. How unfortunate! Gatherings such as the Okonkwos wedding should be a perfect opportunity to parade our culture. The Yorubas never let go of an opportunity to strut their stuff neither do the Hausas. What has happened to us Igbo? In the future, we should endeavour to do something Igbo no matter how insignificant at any gathering. The questions such acts would generate could precipitate more interest in our culture by our kids. At the last Nigerian do i attended , I turned out in my 'Ogodo waliwa' and 'Okpu Ozo' with my 'aka onu' and 'Odu enyi' I was the cynosure of all eyes and the butt of all jokes, but I felt so proud to be Igbo! Unfortunately, the 'lowlight' of the occassion was that an Igbo high Chief that came from Nigeria specifically to grace the occassion, turned out in a traditional Yoruba attire-how sad! Congratulations once again to your sibling. I wish him marital bliss, if there is anything like it.... Posted by Caeser\| 31.10.2007 05:39

ttonjo ttonjo is offline
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	# 8 =Caeser;2091815389>Congratulations on the recent 'incarceration' of your younger sibling. Congratulation to the newly wedded couple too. One observation if you dont mind: 1) Your name reads like you are Igbo. Correct me if i'm mistaken. Your attire i.e the traditional ones are definitely from the South westen Nigeria namely Yoruba. My question is, how and when do we propagate the traditional Igbo attire? Why is it so convenient for Igbos to adorn themselves in Northern and Western Nigeria garbs to the utter neglect of traditional Igbo clothes? Is it that we do not have traditional Igbo clothes or that in the so many years of our Westernization and Northernization we have forgotten to develop, enthrone and celebrate that which singles us out from the rest and makes us unique? Igbos should immediately revert to their roots and try to rehabilitate a comatose culture. Our language and mode of dressing should be seriously addressed. As we all know and as have been previously discussed in the square our kids including those born in Nigeria, in the diaspora and in 'cyberspace' have lost grip and interest with our culture as Igbos. They do not speak our language and perceive fluency in English Hausa and Yoruba as an in thing while their only understanding of our traditional attire is the Hausa dakubiam. How unfortunate! Gatherings such as the Okonkwos wedding should be a perfect opportunity to parade our culture. The Yorubas never let go of an opportunity to strut their stuff neither do the Hausas. What has happened to us Igbo? In the future, we should endeavour to do something Igbo no matter how insignificant at any gathering. The questions such acts would generate could precipitate more interest in our culture by our kids. At the last Nigerian do i attended , I turned out in my 'Ogodo waliwa' and 'Okpu Ozo' with my 'aka onu' and 'Odu enyi' I was the cynosure of all eyes and the butt of all jokes, but I felt so proud to be Igbo! Unfortunately, the 'lowlight' of the occassion was that an Igbo high Chief that came from Nigeria specifically to grace the occassion, turned out in a traditional Yoruba attire-how sad! Congratulations once again to your sibling. I wish him marital bliss, if there is anything like it.... But it is alright for your brother to wear western attire (white man wedding gowns), without complain from you. You see, that's the problems with we africans, the issue of TRIBALISM will FOREVER, continued to hinder our progress, with people like you shouting the sentiment of tribalism. No wonder, the white man, the so-called scientist Dr. Watsons, said black people have got no brain. Yes, the man maybe right, as long as every black person sees each other as different, the FUTURE is indeed VERY bleak for black race. Posted by ttonjo\| 31.10.2007 06:12

denker denker is offline
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	# 9 hi, folks! wouldn't it be more appropriate that we reverse to original traditional attires of our ancestors, WE HAVE TO GO BACK TO NUDENESS -dats more creative! haba, whats all dis fuss about vanity----jesus christus! Posted by denker\| 31.10.2007 06:18

purple purple is offline
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	# 10 Beautiful pictures. Very nice color coordination. Best wishes to your brother and his elegant bride. Posted by purple\| 31.10.2007 11:39

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