By Uche Amunike
The Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuka Soludo, has given out his daughter in marriage to Arinze Ibekwe of Odoje Village in Onitsha North Local Government Area of the state.
The traditional marriage was performed, Saturday, at Isuofia, hometown of Prof Soludo, with a notable number of government officials, traditional rulers and dignitaries.
According to a post by the Anambra state governor on his verified Facebook page, his daughter, Adaora Soludo’s marriage to Arinze Ibekwe was the first in his family in the past 142 years.
He explained that he broke the jinx that prevented the marriage of the daughters born into their families because of a lack of female children, after God blessed him with four female children.
He also stated that by giving out his daughter, Adaora’s hand in marriage, he also gained another son in her heartthrob, Arinze Ibekwe.
Hear him: ‘In the presence of my family, kinsmen, friends, and my in-laws from Onitsha, I gave out my lovely daughter, Ifeatu Adaora Soludo, to her heartthrob after all traditional rites had been met and certified in line with the customs of the Isuofia community.’
‘I celebrate this historic event for two reasons. First, God has graciously blessed the larger Soludo family with another such marital union after 142 years (by my estimate).’
He continued: ‘This is largely due to the fact that female children have been a rarity in the past three generations of the Soludo family. To break that “jinx,” God has mercifully provided me with four beautiful daughters, whom I celebrate every day.’
The Governor’s wife, Nonye Soludo took to her verified X handle and expressed her joy at her daughter’s marriage. Hear her: ‘My joy is immeasurable as I witnessed my eldest daughter, Adaora’s, traditional marriage to her beloved Arinze from Onitsha, a city renowned for its bustling commerce and home to the largest market in West Africa.’
‘As they embark on this new journey together, I pray for God’s blessings of peace, love, patience, understanding, perseverance, and gratitude to guide their union towards a blissful and joyous future. May their new home be filled with love and happiness.
“May they live to see their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Adaora, you continue to make us proud, and we love you dearly. God bless your marriage’, she prayed.
Governor Soludo also wished the couple a fruitful marriage, even as he asked them to respect the Christian and traditional matrimonial rights, so as to raise happy and peaceful family members that will sustain their family’s legacy.’
Speaking, with Newsmen after the event, Spokesperson of the Ibekwe’s family, Oseloka Oranusi, assured Governor Soludo and his wife, Nonye, that their daughter was in good hands and would be properly taken care of.
The event was attended by dignitaries that include the Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, Senator Andy Ubah, Member representing Ihiala Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Paschal Agbodike, as well as former member of the House of Representatives, Orumba North and South, Hon. Okwudili Ezenwankwo.
Dignitaries on the list of attendees include the Speaker, Anambra State Assembly, Somtochukwu Udeze, former member of the House of Assembly, Pharm. Obinna Emenaka, Hon (Dr) Nwabufo Nwankwo, Commissioner for Environment, Engr Felix Odimegwu, MD/CEO ACTDA, Hon. Ossy Onuko (Ifeigbo), among others.
