It was a two day carnival as Frankfurt, Germany based Nollywood Europe ambassador, Isaac Izoya, married his heartthrob, Precious Uhunmwangho in a lavish traditional ceremony in Benin City last weekend. The event which held on Friday April 27th and Saturday, 28th, 2018, attracted the high and mighty from Europe, United States and several locations within the country. While the traditional rites held at the bride’s father’s home, No 1 Task Force Street, Off Upper St. Savior Road, on Friday 27th, the reception held the next day at Rialto Hotel Resorts, along Benin Auchi Road, by Benin bypass, Benin City. CHARLES NWAGBARA brings you gist of how the event really went down…
MAVIS OGBOMO; AN UNCLE TO TREASURE
Chief Mavis Ogbomo is not the father of the bride, but he is one man the bride does not joke with. Indeed, she calls him father. Chief Mavis, according to family members, is the one who has been responsible for the new Mrs. Izoya in Europe. It was through him, Presh went to live in Germany in the first place. Despite his job, Chief Mavis left everything he was doing in Kassel, and came home with his beautiful wife, to be besides his “daughter” on her special day.
HOW PRECIOUS RECONCILED ISAAC AND NOLLYWOOD TOP DIRECTOR LANCELOT IMASUEN
It is not yet known in Nollywood that erstwhile friends and business partners, Isaac Izoya and Lancelot Imasuen, who fell apart thirteen years ago, have reconciled and forgiven each other.
Those who know what goes on in Nollywood, say it was Izoya and Imasuen’s partnership that opened Europe for Nollywood more than any other person. Then, Nollywood stars, were visiting and working in Germany in droves, until the partners had a misunderstanding. But all that came to an end last week in Lagos when Isaac Izoya called Lancelot to invite him to his traditional marriage. Lancelot and Izoya were said to have made up at a party hosted in honour of Isaac and his wife, Precious, by top broadcast journalist, Kunle Aborishade (full story coming soon). However, Isaac’s new wife is credited for making the reconciliation happen, because it was her wedding that brought Isaac face to face with Lancelot again after 13 years.
ABOUT ISAAC IZOYA’S TWO SUPPORTIVE PILLARS WHO DIDN’T MAKE IT TO BENIN
We told you already that Lancelot and Isaac reconciled at a party hosted by his friend and partner, Mr. Kunle Aborishade, the top journalist who presents Sunday Exclusive on NTA. “Sir K” as he is fondly called, is one of the very close persons to Isaac Izoya. He also helps him in the arrangement of the popular annual Nollywood Germany Film Festival and NEGA Awards, which is usually held in Frankfurt Germany. It was Sir K, who kick-started the marriage ceremony with the reception for Isaac and Presh before the party moved down to Benin City even though he did not make it to Benin because of many other professional engagements. Meanwhile, Isaac, also has another strong pillar of support in Frankfurt Germany who couldn’t make the Benin trip. He is Engineer Irabor. He is one of the people who are very close to Izoya. Apart from donating cows to support the ceremony, Engr. Irabor was also represented physically by the sauve Austin Ediale, the Finland based Uromi-born dude, who ensured that Isaac’s friends, were taken good care of in Benin City.
HOW NOLLYWOOD SUPPORTED ONE OF THEIR OWN
Nollywood practitioners, really showed solidarity for one of their own, Isaac Izoya. They came from far and near to be with him at his traditional marriage. There was prolific director, producer and one of the most respected names in Nollywood, Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen. Opa Williams, the man who made comedy a commercial success in Nigeria, was also there. Top actor cum producer/director, Charles Inojie flew in from Lagos for the event, so also controversial actress, Cossy Orjiakor. It was Cossy’s first social outing since she buried her late father in Agulu, Anambra State few weeks back.
HOW ISAAC & PRESH FIRST MET
For Isaac Izoya, it was love at first sight when he met precious at a family friend’s party in Frankfurt a couple of years back. Isaac was seated when she walked in with her friend and his eyes never left her from then. When the opportunity presented itself during the party, he had walked up to her and told her “you will be my wife and
mother of my children”. Presh said she thought that the dude was just shooting breeze until he persisted on his mission several months after the party. Soon, they discovered that they shared a lot in common and that they really loved each other. The rest they say is now history…
ABOUT THE TEAM FROM EUROPE
It was indeed a solidarity party from Europe. Mr & Mrs Uzzi came from Kassel, Germany. Austine Ediale came from Helsinki, Finland, Chief Mike Ituah from Germany, Joe Aihende from Zurich, Switzerland, Hon. Michael Ogbomo Ernest, from Essen, Germany as well as Boss Mikel from Malaysia.
BETWEEN HON. LIZZ ABAI (MAMA LIZZY) AND DJ JOKOLO
One of the leaders of Esan Akugbe in Nigeria. She is very close to the groom. She was the one who took charge of the Aso Ebi for the event. She was everywhere at the event to make sure the guests were comfortable. Meanwhile, one dudes that stretched his arms from far away Frankfurt Germany, is the amiable Dj Jokolo. He sent his dear mother to represent him and the beautiful dame came bearing gifts for the bride and groom.
WHY OPA WILLIAMS DID NOT GET TO THE TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE VENUE
The road to the bride’s home at Upper St. Saviors Street proved to be an obstacle on the day. But Isaac’s friends and family were not deterred. It was one of the important roads yet to be noticed by the Edo State governments over time. Well, all but one of Isaac’s friends made it to the venue that beautiful Friday. The only man that stopped a mile short of the venue, was Nollywood legend, Opa Williams, who had his car stuck on the very bad road. Opa’s car had to be towed back to town and fixed for him to attend the reception the next day.
MEET THE FAMOUS OSAZEME THEATRE TROUPE OF NIGERIA
At the traditional marriage event at the bride’s home last Friday, there were two band stands. One was the De Turner Stars of Benin a.k.a Ogbomon 1. The band gave the audience a memorable moment as they played track after track of their rich Bini highlife tunes. They were complimented by the popular Osazeme Theatre Troupe of Nigeria, directed by Lady Sikira Aruma Olaye. Being a traditional affair, the Osazeme Troupe naturally drew everyone to their stand especially because of the dance regimen of its four frontline ladies.
EDO PIKIN, SOPHIA THRILLED
Budding songstress, Sophia, (Ginikachukwu Igboanugo), the afro pop artiste from Anambra State really thrilled the audience at the Presh/Isaac marriage reception. For those who do not know her, 19 years old Sophia who is currently signed to GLG Music, has been in several music competitions including Voice Nigeria Season 2. She was also the first ever winner of “Xpression Talent Hunt 2015”. The event was also spiced by the highly talented comedy act, Edo Pikin, who left everyone in stitches with his performance.
WHO DID WHAT AT THE PARTY
Chief Mike Ituah, the Edohe of Opoji was chairman of the occasion at the main event on Saturday, April 28th, 2018. Sunday Uhunmwangho, the bride’s younger brother, Jerry Onokhua(Isaac’s uncle), Hon. Michael Ogbomo Ernest(bride’s cousin), and Christy Izoya, were the real organisers who ensured that everything went well. Actor and producer of popular “The Johnsons” series on Dstv, Charles Inojie, was the master of ceremony while top journalist Fred Iwenjora was the PA and official paparazzi of
the groom for the event. Lest we forget, boss of G-World Entertainment, Festus Eremosele, played a very prominent role in the Presh/Isaac trado. He it was, that welcomed Izoya the very night he returned to Nigeria with a classy shindig on the Lagos Island. He was also at the two events and capped it up with a mini party on Sunday April 29th when he hosted the couple and some friends at the G.R.A Benin City.
ROLL CALL
Prof. Yinka Omoregbe, (Hon. Commissioner For Justice, Edo State), Mr. Marshal and wife Hon. Omorede Osifo Marshal, Chief Mavis & Chief Mrs. Ogbomo, Chief & Lady Mike Ituah, (the Edohe of Opoji), Festus Eremosele (Chairman, G-World Entertainment), Ambassador Blessing Ebigieson, Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen, Charles Inojie, Mr. & Mrs. Victor Akande, Fred Iwenjora, Austin Ediale, Uwa Oviahon Imadiyi (head at Virgin Productions), Sophia Igboanugo, Cossy Orjiakor, Hon. Michael Ogbomo Ernest, Joe Aihende, Boss Mikel & wife Becky, Mr. & Mrs. Harrrison Uzzi, Louza Williams(fmr. manager of hip hop star, Kiss Daniel), among others.
–Pictures by Fred Iwenjora
