In an unending season of high profile marriages involving the children of top politicians, successful businessmen and celebrities, it was a roll call of crème de la crème of eminent personalities, political office holders, captains of industries and diplomats, who stormed the ancient city of Kano, yesterday, for the wedding Fatiha of the daughter of Africa’s richest man and business mogul, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, and son of former Inspector General of Police, Muhammad Dahiru Abubakar.
And despite the hard knocks he received for attending the marriage between the son of Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi, and daughter of Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, also in Kano, a fortnight ago, President Muhammadu Buhari was at yesterday’s ceremony, this time as “father” of the bride.
The wedding took place at 12 noon at the Emir of Kano’s palace.
It was conducted by the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, and supported by the Chief Imam of Kano, Prof. Sani Zaharaddeen.
Buhari, in his capacity as the bride’s father, received the N500,000 dowry from the representative of the groom at the occasion.
Other important personalities that graced the occasion include former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar (rtd) and House of Representatives Speaker, Yakubu Dogara as well as some senators, governors, ministers and traditional rulers from across the country.
Also in attendance was one of the richest men in the world and renowned philanthropist, Mr. Bill Gates. Kano State-born Dangote gave out the hand of his daughter, Fatimah, in marriage to the Zamfara State-born Jamil at a very crowd-pulling event.
Others were former National Security Adviser, Gen. Aliyu Gusau (rtd), members of the business community, politicians and members of the diplomatic corps, among others.
The event, which was also attended by prominent Islamic scholars and other well wishers from across the country, witnessed a large turnout of workers from various companies owned by the renowned business mogul.
Security at the occasion was tight as all the entrances leading to the palace were cordoned-off by heavily armed security operatives.
Meanwhile, there was a mild drama at Meena Event Centre, venue of the wedding reception, as men of the DSS attached to the host governor, Ganduje and a private security outfit, K-Square Security, engaged the DSS personnel in a fight for yet-to-be known reasons. But this did not disrupt the ceremony.
