Rivers: Celebration Galore as Esan and Kalabari Communities Reunite 27 Years After

In a display of classic culture and deep tradition, finely laced with an international cast; the families of Iyamabo and Datubo converged in the Rivers state capital, Port Harcourt to join one another in holy matrimony.

Supervised by the women, the Igbe finji (box opening) to show what the groom had bought for his bride was followed with the bibi fe (buying of the mouth) display which saw both families feed each other with a key assembly of exotic Kalabari dishes carefully prepared and presented to whet the appetites of those present.

As per the culture, the bride was to smile only when the expectations had not only been met but were verified to have been met by Fred and true to form Victoria only revealed a perfect set of teeth when the loud chorus of approval was let out by her family fully represented by the women of the house.

The significance of the traditional ceremony being that the “unity of the marriage is not just for the two individuals, but for both communities, which we need to see more and more of in present day Nigeria.” This was the view echoed by Prince Tonye T.J.T Princewill, the Chairman of the occasion and brother in law to Fred Iyamabo, the groom.

Twenty seven years earlier almost to the day, it was the reverse that played out, when he went to Benin with his family to do the exact same thing when he took Rosemary, his wife’s hand in marriage. Incidentally it was in his house in London where the couple had met for the first time with nobody the wiser to what fate had in store for them. Incidentally Victoria, who was nicknamed Sandisco by the late King and father of the Chairman maybe on account of her dancing skills, is also a cousin of the Prince.

Following completion of traditional rites, the gathering was entertained by live cultural music, the cutting of the cake and special prayers led by Deacon George Betts. The bride’s family was led by her older sister, Mrs. Eva Dagogo Princewill, her brothers; Eddy Datubo, Will Datubo and Henry Datubo, while the grooms family was led by the matriarch of the family, Mrs. Flora Iyamabo, his sisters, Caroline Ademiluyi, Elizabeth Uwaifo, Rita Odutola, Florence Iyamabo, Rosemary Princewill, Regina Jemide. and his brother, Victor Iyamabo amongst many other friends and well wishers.

MCd seamlessly by Barr. Adaye Duke and Chief Daogigo Amachree, guests partied and feasted their way into the early hours of the morning with the local favourite of Boli and Fish making a very welcome appearance.

Submitted by: Jenewari Ntiego Alioma, Secretary, Ogo Elebabene Group of Houses