The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II, has expressed felicitations with industrious journalist and Public Relations Officer, Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Lagos State Area Unit, Sodiq Oyeleke (SDK) on the occasion of his marriage solemnisation which took place in Lagos on August 18.
The Ooni described Oyeleke as dependable and a true ally of the palace, adding that he kick-started what is now enjoyed as Journalists Forum in Ile-Ife.
He said: “Sodiq is a young man, who is very responsible. He founded the forum and coordinated it through out his stay in Ile-Ife and virtually all the journalists in Ife were members of the forum. Though he had the initiative, he was the youngest among the journalists. He is leading people who are old enough to be his father.”
The monarch, who was represented by the Director, Media and Public Affairs of Ooni’s Palace, Mr. Moses Olafare, urged the groom to remain steadfast with the profession he has been dedicated to, adding “but not at the detriment of his marriage.”
“He is very gentle, focused and always ready to work. He is very dedicated. He is someone whom anybody would want to celebrate. So, this next face of his life must bountifully reflect much sense of responsibility he has put into his professional career. He must be able to manage his wife and home well,”
Olafare added.
Mr Bakare Agboola of the Punch Newspaper described Oyeleke as an outstanding professional who exhibited the highest degree of diligence through out the time he spent as reporter with The Punch.
“Sodiq is a very responsible man, who doesn’t take his job for a play at anytime. He is a goal-getter and always want the best for the organisation he works for. So, I’m happy to celebrate him today and wish him the best in his marriage life,” Agboola said.
The groom, a seasoned journalist with special interest in data and digital journalism, got married to his heartthrob, Nuriyyah Oyebanji, a graduate of Agricultural Administration from the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB).
Also, the Public Relations Officer of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Mr Biodun Olarewaju and national secretary of OAU, Mrs Lara hailed the sense of responsibility of the groom.
Meanwhile, the Amir, MSSN Lagos, Dr Saheed Ashafa, who described the groom as a goal getter, noted that he is exemplary in using his professional expertise and influence for the development of Islam.
“He is somebody, who I enjoy working with. He knows how to manage people effectively. Oyeleke is a youth, who has a very great vision and works towards the development of Islam everyday. We are happy celebrating him today,” Ashafa said.
The nikkah solemnisation was administered by Muslim Clerics amidst reflections and sermon on “marriage as a viable institution for social peace,” after which a colourful wedding reception followed at Longford International School, Ebute-Meta.
IWitness NG reports that the wedding was tagged “OYE2018.”
At about 9am, the bride had arrived the wedding venue in a Toyota Camry.
In no time, the groom also arrived.
The bride was seen acknowledging cheers while sitting at the back seat of a white Ford car.
The bride, immersed in smiles, was clad in a silver monochrome gown and Egyptian hijab decorated with colourful and glowing pearl beads and gold embroidery laced with silver stones.
The groom wore a perfectly tailored kaftan made with an ash suit material while wearing a brown Hausa traditional cap called “Fula.” This cap is beyond beauty, it spots full and colorful embroidered designs around the entire diameter.
The Aqdun Nikah (holy solemnisation) proceeding commenced with recitation from the Glorious Qur’an chapter 4 Vs 1-5.
The officiating Chief Imam, Alhaji Abdul Malik Abdul Razaq, delivered the nikah sermon.
He announced to the congregation that the bride price otherwise known as “Mahr,” demanded by the bride is a copy of Fiqh Sunnah and a Qur’an.
He noted that marriage in Islam is the bedrock for a sustainable and peaceful society which must be seen and conducted as a concrete contractual agreement binding by the fundamental laws of the Qur’an.
He added that the best motivation for marriage is to marry because of Allah.
Admonishing the couple, he urged them to be mindful of their responsibilities to each other and live together with mercy and peace.
The cleric advised them to base their marriage on the pristine Islamic foundation and effective communication and understanding.
He said, “Food, intimacy, your relatives and children may pose lots of challenges to your marriage but ensure you know how to manage these variables properly to sustain your home.”
At the reception, the bride was accosted with a group of bride’s maids marching ahead in their wine flowing apparel and gold hijab.
The groom wore a blue kaftan made of jackad wear the Yoruba traditional brocade made and cap made with Aso Oke as he sat next to his bride.
The event climaxed with drama and eulogies among other presentations by pupils of Longford International School, where the bride’s groom once served as a Senior Prefect.
There were also nasheed performance by promising Islamic rhyme composer, MeritBorn while Shefiu Adebayo entertained the guests with Ewi.
The bride’s younger brother, Nasrudeen, in a presentation eulogised her sister virtues and pleaded with her husband to take good care of her.
The prevailing atmosphere of the reception was that of excitement. The ceremony ended with a vote of thanks delivered by the apparently elated groom.
In his appreciation remark, Oyeleke thanked Almighty Allah, families and friends for making the marriage a success as he said the wedding signified a new dispensation in his life.
The groom, a native of Kwara State, studied Mass Communication at the Nigeria Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Ogba and English Language at Obafemi Awolowo University, (OAU) Ile-Ife.
He married the daughter of a popular islamic cleric, Sheikh Yusuf Oyebanji, popularly known as Al-Falaky.
Other dignitaries at the event included leading Islamic clerics, Chief Imams, traditional rulers, top government functionaries, politicians, ASUU, NASU, trade union leaders, activists, media practitioners, prominent educationists, proprietor of LIS, members of the ‘We We Exclusive’ (OAU), students from FUNAAB, Aiyetoro Grammar School, Outliers school and modrasah staff and MSSN Lagos’ members, colleagues and friends from OAU, NIJ, Lagos Mainland Youth Movement, Longford school, Super Warriors and 36 Lions football clubs, among others.
