Imo in the spotlight as High Chief Ejiogu marries off his daughter to Dr. Azikiwe.
Ohakim, Ilomuanya Obi Cubana Ahize, Nwosu, Tony Chukwu, participated in the event
At the Obi-Udo palatial Anara country home of High Chief Duru Mike Ejiogu, Traditional Prime Minister of Anara Ancient Kingdom, Isiala Mbano LGA, Imo State, a respected community leader, real estate mogul, and serial entrepreneur, a galaxy of personalities from the political and business worlds, members of the Diplomatic Corps, foreign investors, religious leaders, traditional rulers, captains of industry, and elite social clubs in Nigeria convened in what was undoubtedly the most well-attended traditional wedding ceremony in Imo in recorded history.
The story of the love between Dr. Frank Azikwe and the former Miss Akudo Stephanie Ejiogu is truly remarkable; it was a divine meeting arranged by God, characterized by mutual respect, admiration, and unwavering commitment. The two serve as pillars of strength and form an unstoppable force to navigate through a new phase of life as newlyweds, as required by Igbo tradition.
In the Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, in Umudo village Anara, the highly esteemed family of High Chief & Lolo Duru Mike Ejiogu, gave birth to the former Miss Akudo Stephanie Ejiogu, also known as Mrs. Stephanie Frank Azikwe, after just 24 years of age.
Despite being from an affluent family, Stephanie is a highly attractive girl with a pale complexion who exudes grace, humility, charm, and a great regard for family values. Her father is Chief Mike Ejiogu, who was the Onuowu of the Anara Ancient Kingdom.
Beyond her stunning beauty, there is intelligence and unending drive; after graduating from Veritas University in Abuja, she paved the way for success by becoming a manager at the Citygate Saloon and Spa and carrying on the family tradition.
Bravo! Stephanie Ejiogu is a beautiful woman with intelligence, boldness, delicate love, and a gentle demeanor. She also radiates happiness, which contributes to her young appearance.
The bride’s parents, Lolo Duru Mike Ejiogu, the traditional prime minister of the Anara Ancient Kingdom, and High Chief Mike Ejiogu (Onuowu Anara), were present during the traditional marriage rite. The Umunna, or Umudo kinsmen of the bride’s father, were conducting the administration of the marriage rites of their Onitsha North LGA, Anambra State in-laws, including negotiations with the groom’s family on the dowry to be paid for the bride (the precious sweet fruit, odara nwanu), which they came to pluck from the compound.
After completing the marriage ceremony outlined in the list, the Umudo Anara kinsmen of Chief Mike Ejiogu and their Azikwe-based Anambra in-laws shook hands with their backhands and walking sticks while exchanging traditional Igbo Kwenu greetings. It was a display of traditional inclusivity and community involvement.
The clearly happy former Miss Akudo Stephanie Ejiogu was accompanied by her magnificent bridal train. She looked extremely beautiful and was dressed in exquisite gold, milk, and red-colored Igbo cultural attires with a hint of Isi-Agu. She was given her parents’ traditional blessings to marry her beau, Dr. Frank Arinze Azikwe, a US-trained medical doctor and the grandson of the late Zik of Africa, His Excellency, Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe, GCFR (Owelle of Onitsha), the first Nigerian President during the First Republic (1963–1966).
At the Obi-Udo Umudo Anara palatial home of one of their prominent members, High Chief Mike Ejiogu (Onuowu of Anara Ancient Kingdom), who gave his darling daughter’s hand in marriage to Dr. Frank Arinze Azikwe, the traditional wedding ceremony turned carnival transformed into a sort of reunion and business rallying point. Participants included Imo top government functionaries, Nigeria’s political leaders, established entrepreneurs, road construction giants, business czars, respected community leaders, opinion molders, and members of various billionaire social clubs.
Speaking at the event, His Excellency, Chief Dr. Ikedi Ohakim, a former governor of Imo State, congratulated Chief Mike Ejiogu for such an exciting outing and the lavish reception given to his invited guests. He also thanked God for Miss Akudo Stephanie Ejiogu’s successful traditional wedding ceremony, which coincided with the housewarming of his palatial home in Obi-Udo.
In a same spirit, Ugwumba Uche Nwosu, a former commissioner for lands and chief of staff to the Imo government, underlined the value of marriage as an institution, particularly when the couple loves and understands one another. He wished the newlyweds all the best and prayed for them to have a prosperous relationship filled with love, respect, and peace.
High Chief Charles Ahize (Akpuruka ‘N’ Orlu, Ugochinyere of Ihioma), the political heavyweight, socialite, and doyen of the automobile industry in Nigeria, praised Chief Mike Ejiogu for his daughter’s upbringing and guidance, saying it has made him a proud father because she is now happily married and owns a home.
Therefore, Charles Ahize, the Labour Party’s senatorial candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District (Orlu zone) in the most recent general elections, prayed to God for the new couple’s overall well-being in marriage.
Speaking to reporters soon after the ceremony, Chief Mike Ejiogu thanked God for his daughter’s successful marriage and thanked all of the guests who honored his invitation, regardless of their background.
He did, however, commend everyone for their displays of love and unity and convey his unfathomable excitement at having a day like this in his life.
As per Chief Mike Ejiogu, the Chairman of Citygate Homes, a prominent real estate enterprise in Abuja, Nigeria, approximately 70% of the attendees at my daughter’s traditional wedding ceremony consistently identified with the Ejiogu family on all their events, and their dedication to the family’s affairs is greatly valued.
He expressed his congratulations to his daughter and her spouse and asked God to bless them with love, peace, unity, health, children, longevity, and wealth. He also stressed that there is no set recipe for marriage but that with perseverance and tolerance, a lovely house may be created.
The traditional wedding ceremony took place at the serene Obi-Udo palatial home of the bride’s father, Chief Mike Ejiogu. The event was marked by a social conclave atmosphere. Renowned musicians Sharma Melody, Chief Paul Azibe (Onwa Nsugbe), and other guest artists took turns thrilling and entertaining the audience with their unique renditions. High Chief Mike Ejiogu’s friends, business associates, and billionaire club members turned out in large numbers to show their unwavering support for the couple. To the dismay of the villagers and bystanders, the enormous box provided was filled to the brim with various currencies, including dollars, pounds sterling, and naira.
Among the dignitaries spotted at the epochmaking traditional wedding ceremony by 4th Estate Reporters included but not limited to; His Excellency, Chief Dr. Ikedi Ohakim, former Imo State governor, Sen. Patrick Ndubueze representing Imo North Senatorial District in the Nigerian Senate, Rt. Hon. Chike Olemgbe, Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Hon. Chief Sam Osuji, member representing Isiala Mbano State Constituency, Ugwumba Uche Nwosu, former Chief of Staff to the Imo State Government, High Chief Charles Ahize, Senatorial candidate of Labour Party during the 2023 general elections, High Chief Tony Chukwu (Onweghi Ihe Kariri Chukwu), Chief Jonas Okeke, CON, Chairman of Fortec Technologie.
