By SIMON EBEGBULEM, BENIN CITY

I advised my son to marry a     foreigner— Oshiomhole’s mother

IYAMHO community in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State became the envy of the Nigeria last Friday, May 15, 2015, when the Comrade Governor of Edo state, Adams Aliyu Eric Oshiomhole exchanged marital vows with his heartthrob, former Miss Iara Fortes, a lawyer from Cape Verde.

It would be recalled that Oshiomhole’s first wife, Clara lost the protracted battle with cancer on December 7, 2010, just two years after her husband became governor of Edo state.

Iyamho, a small community about five minutes’ drive from Auchi, is today very large in the hearts of many due to the personalities that graced the day. The hovering of over ten helicopters in the sleepy community that Friday ignited excitement, celebration, dancing in the community. Just in front of the gate of the Comrade Governor is the Auchi-Abuja express road, but on this said day, the ever busy road was blocked for over six hours that the programmes lasted, forcing motorists to navigate their way through alternative routes.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole slips puts a ring on the finger of fomer Miss Iara Fortes at a private marriage registry at Iyamho, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, on Friday.

The who is who in Nigeria including the President- elect, Gen Muhammadu Buhari and his wife Aisha, Vice President Elect, Prof.Yemi Osinbajo, former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon were there. The list is long. National leader of the APC, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, National chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, Speaker of the House of Reps, Aminu Tambuwal, Governor Elect of Kaduna state, Mallam El Rufai, Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, Dr Samuel Ogbemudia, Senator Tunde Ogbeha. Governors Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), Liyel Imoke (Cross Rivers), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Rauf Arigbesola (Osun) and Seriaki Dickson (Bayelsa). Former Governors Diepreye Alameseigha, Peter Obi, Senator Olusola Saraki, Prof.Osahriemen Osunbor, Niyi Adebayo, former National Chairman of the APC, Bisi Akande.

Captains of Industry led by Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Mr Jim Ovia, Femi Otedola, Captain Noggie Meggisson,Captain Hosa Okunbor, Senator Daisy Danjuma. Royal fathers were not left out as the attended the ceremony in their numbers. The Oba of Benin was represented by high ranking palace chiefs, Chief David Edebiri, the Esogban of Benin Kingdom. The Otaru of Auchi led other traditional rulers from Edo North. Top military brass including Brigadier-General MJ Abel, Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Auchi were also in attendance. The Director-General of the State Security was represented by Engr Joseph Oworuya, while Mr Bello Bakori, Director, SSS Edo State was also at the ceremony.

Members of the Edo state Executive Council were led by the deputy Governor of the state, Dr Pius Odubu. Other dignitaries present included Minority whip of the House of Reps, Samson Osagie, Dr Chris Ogiemwonyi, Gen.Charles Airhiavbere, Ken Imasuagbon, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, Chief Tom Ikimi, Pastor Osagie Ize Iyamu and many others.

Parents of the bride, Mr and Mrs Fortes flew in from their home in the Netherlands to attend the ceremony while the Governor’s mother, Hajia Aishetu Oshiomhole was also in attendance.

The Governor’s children Steve, Adams, Jane and two of his grandchildren were also on hand to show love and support to their father and his wife. The Registry which was earlier scheduled to hold at the Auchi Registry was moved to the Iyamho country home of Oshiomhole so as to avoid the inconveniences of movement due to the calibre of people expected to grace the occasion. Only invited guests were allowed inside the hall where the marriage took place.

There was tight security. The atmosphere changed when the President-elect arrived the occasion with his wife. Soldiers took over the entire area and made frantic efforts to stop admirers from getting closer to the President Elect. However, Buhari, in a calm manner signaled the soldiers to take it easy with the people. Apparently telling them that he was at home with the masses so they should relax their security. However, only close family members and friends witnessed the Registry which was conducted in the closet of the Governors large compound.

At about 1:30pm, Oshiomhole and his new bride were ushered into the hall. The elegance of the bride, dazzled. She smiled and greeted everyone as Lady Diana would do. Oshiomhole walked taller than his height. It was glitz, glamour indeed. The chairman of the occasion and former Head of State, Gen. Gowon, who noted that it was a thing of joy to see the governor re-marry after five years. According to him, “marriage is a thing of joy and that is why we commend the Comrade Governor for making a decision five years after he lost his lovely wife Clara.”

The incoming first lady, Aisha Buhari described Lara as an epitome of beauty. She said: “even as a woman, I am jealous of her beauty. We are happy for you and I hope you learn how to cook our Nigerian food fast because you have to cook egusi, Edikaiko, orishirishi, pounded yam for your husband. We are happy today because the Comrade Governor is happy. God Almighty will bless this marriage and we urge our daughter to marry every member of the family. Take them as your own and most especially take good care of our Comrade Governor who has done so well for the people of Edo state and Nigeria in general”.

Speaking also, APC Leader, Bola Tinubu expressed his joy on the occasion, reiterating that the Comrade Governor made the right choice at the right time. However, while Asiwaju was speaking, there was power outage.

He however continued his speech, saying “ these are some of the problems the incoming government of APC will address. We thank Nigerians for believing in us and we will deliver. The President Elect knows what to do, he is not a neophyte, he is capable. Nigeria will rise again and there will be power, there will be jobs. We congratulate the Comrade Governor and we want to let you know that we are proud of what you are doing in Edo state and in Nigeria. May God bless you and your family”.

It was at the Thanks Giving service on Sunday held at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral Auchi That Oshiomhole expressed his gratitude for his life and that of his family, describing his new wife, Iara, as a model in his heart. He said that his new wife was no replacement for his late wife, Clara whom he said was irreplaceable.

Oshiomhole debunked reports that his new wife was a ‘top model’ saying the speculation might have been generated from her poise and beauty. He said, “When I read newspaper stories and they said that Comrade has married a ‘top model’

I’m like maybe it’s another person. The lady that God has directed to my path and heart to marry is not and was not a model. Of course, she is beautiful and I understand. That is why people assume that this kind of a lady must be a model but of course, she is a model in my heart and we hope and pray that we will be models in the heart of our God and I think that is the most important thing”.

Governor Oshiomhole appealed to the congregation to keep supporting him and his new wife in prayer saying “I ask you to please continue to pray for us. It is not easy. I lost my first wife and it is not possible to replace her. Yes, I have married another but it is not a replacement. I understand that under the Catholic doctrine I am entitled to have another wife which is what I have done.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole slips puts a ring on the finger of fomer Miss Iara Fortes at a private marriage registry at Iyamho, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, on Friday.

Saturday Vanguard investigation showed that the governor shunned the idea of marrying Nigerian woman in order not to create crisis in his family. His mother, Hajia Aishetu told Vanguard that “I supported him to marry a foreigner so that the relationship between my son and his children will remain cordial. Our Nigerian women will go and destroy the family just because they want property. “ That was the main reason I supported him to marry a foreigner when he told me about it. So I am happy about it. Besides, the new wife is a very good woman. She behaves like Comrades late wife.

Very accommodating, understanding and hard working. And you know my son travels a lot as a governor. He needs a woman who understands his work and that is the kind of wife he married. She is just like Clara. Normally, people spend two years or less before they marry again but Comrade decided to wait for five years due to the love he had for his late wife. And Clara was a good person, very lovely and nice to all of us. So we supported Comrade for taking time to re-marry because we loved Clara. Comrade and the former wife lived very happily, there was no quarrel, nothing at all and that was why he mourned for five years. I am happy that he brought a wife that will bring him and the children together”.

Also speaking, the traditional ruler of Iyamho community, HRH Bashiru Itameso, who equally is a cousin to the Comrade Governor, said “I was happy seeing him remarry. I am happy because I never wanted him to marry a Nigerian because our people are wicked. I prefer it that he married a foreigner. If he had married a Nigerian, in-laws will come and start troubling him. They will start tearing themselves apart for materials things and that will create serious problem between

Comrade and his children. We all supported him to marry a foreigner”.

The new first lady of Edo state kicked off her first assignment last Saturday at Okpekpe Road Race, when she handed trophy to Tanui Nkele of Kenya, winner of the 1st prize female category with 33.34 minutes in the 3rd edition of the Annual IAAF certified 10km Okpekpe race. More activities are expected for the first lady. But one thing is obvious, Edo people are happy to have this beautiful lawyer as their first lady.