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BY HIGH CHIEF ‘LEKAN ALABI
Many decades past, the official indigenous Dundun and Sekere Supporters Band of the Shooting Stars FC of Ibadan, led by the late Seidu of Oke-Foko, Ibadan, of the record-holder FC of Ibadan, would hype up the frenzy of the 3SC FC supporters, with the above-titled song, (Penalty, Welcome.We Have Been Expecting You) whenever referees blew their whistles for penalties against clubs playing against the 3SC FC, be it foreign or local.
The highly dexterous drummers used to hype up the celebrations of penalty kicks in favour of their darling Oluyole Warriors team, the first Nigerian soccer team to win two continental trophies for Nigeria, in 1976 and 1992.Up Sooting!
On Saturday, August 12, 2023 was gladly welcome, as it is the 45th wedding anniversary, of my humble self, High Chief ‘Lekan Alabi, Maye Olubadan of Ibadanland and former Miss Adetokunbo Mojirade Laditan of Ilaro-Yewa, Ogun State and Kudeti, Ibadan, Oyo State heritage.
We got married at the Saint John’swood Anglican Church, Hampstead, London, United Kingdom, on Saturday, August 12, 1978. Already, Madam (Chief) Mrs. Adetokunbo Mojirade Alabi, the first Yeyemeso Lalupon, Ibadanland, our children, but the one working in Lagos, and all our grandchildren are now in London, United Kingdom. We praise God for His blessings on us.
Since that blessed day,45 years ago,in London, UK, we have always celebrated the wedding anniversary, on every landmark date, inside the same church, Saint John’swood Anglican Church, Hampstead, London, with the Very Archdeacon John Rankine, who, in 1978, officiated at the wedding service, in attendance.
We did so in 1988, at the 10th year celebration, in 1993, on the 15th year; 1998, the 20th year, 2008, at 30 years and 2018, on the 40th year anniversary.
As earlier stated, it was our 45th wedding anniversary on Saturday, August 12, 2023, but it wasn’t formally celebrated, as in the past, because my humble self, the old groom, stayed back here in Nigeria, for the following reasons – my longtime commitments to engagements in Nigeria, this month.
Firstly, a Coronation Anniversary Lecture of Kabiyesi Olubadan Balogun Alliwo Okunmade 11, came up on August 3; Special Guest at the 10th Fidau/Memorial Ceremony of the late Queenmother of Waka music, Alhaja Batuli Alake, my close associate, on August 10, at Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State; the 70th birthday celebration of my friend, professional colleague, former President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Pastor ‘Biodun Oduwole; Father of the Day at the wedding today in Ibadan of the daughter of my London-based younger brother, Alhaji White; Guest at the launch of the book (She Gave Me Root) by Mrs. Funsho Adegbola in Ibadan, on August 19. I was her guest, when, many years ago, she launched her book: “He Gave Me Wings” and come August 31, as a Speaker at the annual Traditional African Medicine Day of the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), Jericho GRA, Ibadan.
Having been long-committed to all the above-named programmes, I shall, God willing, join my family next month in London, UK for the holy ritual of our wedding anniversary celebration and the US-based Think Yoruba First (TYF) group’s annual workshop on the advancement of Yoruba culture and tradition, scheduled to hold in London, later next month.
*High Chief ‘Lekan Alabi, the Maye Olubadan of Ibadanland writes from Ibadan, Oyo State.
CAPTIONS
Picture 1:
My humble self signing our marriage certificate at the Saint John’swood Anglican Church, Hampstead, London, UK, on Saturday, August 12, 1978, as the officiating Minister, Reverend John Rankine watches.
Pic 2:
A copy of our wedding invitation card.
Pic 3:
The Chairman of our wedding reception, Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, represented by the First Secretary, Ambassador Falodun, directing the cutting of our wedding cake inside the Church Hall.
Pic 4:
It’s dancing time at our wedding reception, chairmanned by Dele Omole, our friend and a son of the late respected industrialist, Dr Lawrence Omole.
Pic 5:
A copy of the invitation cards to Kabiyesi Olubadan Balogun Alliwo Okunmade 11’s first Coronation Anniversary programme, during which I chaired the Anniversary Lecture.
