ABDULSALAM POPOOLA & MARYAM OLAJUMOKE BELGORE’S WEDDING- THE FINAL INSTALMENT

We had landed in Ilorin from Lagos, having a mindset already, thinking what could these people possibly do, that can wow us. So we weren’t expecting too much so as not to be disappointed. But truth be said, all that we saw swept us off out feet.  Ilorin, the Kwara State capital was filled that week with many dignitaries from far and near, the bride’s family took fantastic care of all of us and other guests who had also flown in from wherever. So it was like Eko for Show, Ilorin for substance. 

First night, we had a great Bride’s eve, first time we would encounter such on the scale we saw it, and next day was the Wolimat another very colorful event, though a lot more religious, it was still much fun to behold. Then was the cake of it, the NIKKAI Ceremony itself, which had the bride looking as if she just dropped in from heaven, looking ravishingly beautiful, first in her all white outfit, wearing silver shoes and carrying a silver bag and with those gorgeous jewelry that sparkled like thousand stars. She later on after the ceremony, changed into another beautiful lace outfit, which was another wonder to behold. Truly- Maryam Olajumoke Onikijipa now Belgore is a gorgeous lady.

Then on the fourth day, we all had to rest; a well deserved one at that.  The 4th day was Abdulsalam’s Wolimat and because he had lost his mom the previous day, it was more of a very quiet affair. 

The fifth day, which had been planned as the reception day, was to have been the icing on the cake.  But for the death of the groom’s mom, it should have been.  The groom and his wife, had to stay away from the last day’s merriment as a mark of respect for the dearly departed. But that didn’t in any way cloud the merriment at all.

On the bandstand was K1 the ultimate and like many know him to do, he was at his best, dishing it out like his life depended on it, and the appreciative guests got up to shake body and did as was expected of them, spraying money and more money he was ably supported by a deejay, who rocked the house to the delight of the younger crowd. The exquisite hall was like a picture from the Arabian Nights, it looked fantastic and created the air of magic, the wedding coordinator was Funke Bucknor-Obruthe and her staffs were professional to the core, the glorious looking hall that had everyone salivating was decorated by Zarahlinda. The cake was exquisite looking and was by Absolute Elegance, the couture cake bakers from Lagos. The event centre used was Romichs Event Centre, Gaa Budu, Offa Garage, Ilorin, Kwara State.

The day's event(reception)was chaired by Billionaire Business Owner of Sifax Grp. Barr. Taiwo Afolabi.  Check out the event in pictures.  Over 150 plus fantastic pictures for your viewing delight.

PANORAMIC VIEW OF THE VENUE

IRADAT & A GUEST

IRADAT ONIKIJIPA & A GUEST

BRIDE'S MOM

THE FANTASTIC CAKE

FRIENDS OF THE BRIDE

IRADAT & HRM OBA ELEGUSHI & HIS OLORI

FUNKE BUCKNOR-OBRUTHE & IRADAT WITH ANOTHER GUEST

HAJIA ONIKIJIPA WITH BARR. TAIWO AFOLABI & WIFE WITH SISTER

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ABDULSALAM & MARYAM BELGORE'S WEDDING CEREMONY. PART 2- The Wolimat

We cannot stop talking about this wedding ceremony. Like we have already said many times over, it is one Ilorin town would not forget for a longwhile. It would take something extraordinary to top this wedding ceremony, it was like the whole of Ilorin, both the young and the old all came together very happily to pay homage to the much loved Islamic Cleric- Sheikh  Sulaiman Farooq Onikijipa, whose first daughter- Maryam was getting wedded to one of the sons of the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, in the person of Retired Justice Alfa Belgore.

Before the wedding proper could happen, the duo - Maryam & her then husband to be Abdulsalam had to do what the Muslims call the Wolimat, which is a graduation sort of from the Quranic school, meaning that those who do the wolimat must have finished reciting the Holy Book- The Quran. For the faithfuls, it is a compulsory  thing to do. So a day to her wedding fatiha, the gorgeous bride had a very colorful wolimat.  The happy bride in the midst of her friends, was led to the venue of the wolimat, where in front of many top clerics who had come to the wedding from far and near, recited portions of the Holy Book with gutso to the admiration of the hundreds gathered at the venue. Afterwards she was acknowledged to have done very well, she later went round to many of the important personalities to recite the Quran to them individually, chief amongst those she had to go to see was the Emir of Ilorin, His Royal Majesty- Alhaji Ibrahim Kolapo Sulu Gambari, who after listening to the bride's recitation, blessed and prayed for her well-being and the success of the wedding. Much of what was done on this particular day, was the recitation, she also went to the house of her father-in-law, who received her very happily and afterwards presented her a very beautiful Quran. Just before going to her father-in-law's house, the gorgeous bride, paid her husband to be a quick visit, also to recite a portion of the Quran.

Here are the pictures of the day's proceedings for your viewing pleasure. 

THE BEAUTIFUL BRIDE

3 JOLLY SISTERS- IRADAT, MARYAM & SU'UAD

DOTING DAD & DAUGHTER- MARYAM

BRIDE WITH SISTERS & FRIENDS

FRIENDS & SISTERS

MARYAM & HER IMMEDIATE YOUNGER SISTER- IRADAT

THE GORGEOUS BRIDE

BRIDE'S MOM

BRIDES MOM & FRIEND

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ABDULSALAM & MARYAM BELGORE'S WEDDING CEREMONY. part 1

It was a 4 day extravaganza that the capital city of Ilorin, Kwara State would not forget in a hurry. It was the nuptial ceremony between the first daughter- Maryam of renowned Muslim cleric- His Eminence Sheikh Sulaiman Farooq Onikijipa & one of the sons of the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Retired Chief Justice Alfa Belgore (Abdulsamad Belgore). Many came from far and wide to celebrate with both families. At a point, it was like a carnival had arrived in town. The young and the old, disciples of the well-loved Muslim cleric, top Alfas from far and wide, very gorgeous friends of the bride and her deliciously beautiful younger sister- Iradat, came out in large numbers to celebrate the gorgeous bride.

The first day of the ceremony kicked off with a night totally dedicated to the bride- it was tagged ‘’the bride’s eve’’. It’s a ceremony that is more common in the Northern parts of the country. It is where friends and female members of the family of the bride, gather all night in celebration of the bride, singing and dancing, playing games of all kinds, before the wedding ceremony proper. For many of us, who had not encountered a ceremony like that before, it was a delight to watch. Just imagine, very many gorgeous, young ladies of many complexions, all together at one venue, looking very sweet and very friendly, all having great fun.

BRIDE- MARYAM

MARYAM WITH SISTERS- SUAAD & IRADAT

WITH DAD SHEIKH FAROOQ ONIKIJIPA

MARYAM

 MORE PICTURES AFTER THE BREAK