President Muhammadu Buhari, Emir of Kano, Muhamadu Sanusi II; Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje; Senate President Bukola Saraki; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; former head of state, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar and others dignitaries during the wedding Fatiha of Fatima, daughter of Alhaji Aliko Dangote (sitting in front), and Jamil, son of former Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, in Kano… yesterday PHOTO: CALLISTUS EWELIKE/NAN
Bill Gates in Nigeria for Dangote’s Daughter’s wedding
One of the world’s richest man and philanthropist, Bill Gates attended the wedding Fatiha of the daughter of Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote in Kano State, Nigeria on Friday.
The ceremony was a who-is-who roll-call for politicians and business monguls. President Muhammadu Buhari defied criticisms for attending weddings while violence ravage the citizens, to attend the wedding in person.
15 State Governors, the leadership of both houses of the National Assembly, eminent personalities, political office holders, captains of industries and diplomats, also stormed the ancient city of Kano, yesterday, for the wedding of Dangote’s daughter, Fatimah and son of former Inspector General of Police, Muhammad Dahiru Abubakar, Jamil
The Guardian reports that the marriage, which was consummated in one of the ancient inner palaces of the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, attracted the sum of N500, 000 dowry, which was received by the President, who stood on behalf of the bride’s father, Dangote.
“The exchange of the dowry was witnessed by a former head of state, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar; chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Senate President Bukola Saraki; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; Director General, Directorate of Security Service (DSS), Mamman Daura and Oni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.While presiding over the religious rite, Sanusi advised the couple to be patient, persevere and respect each other’s value through mutual understanding and love.
The emir emphasised that marriage is one of the cardinal tenets of Islam, which must be accorded the fullest respect by the couple.Others who graced the wedding Fatiha include governors Abdullahi Umar Ganduje (Kano); Mohammed Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa); Godwin Obaseki (Edo); Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara); Aminu Bello Masari (Katsina); Kassim Shettima (Borno); Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun); Ajimobi (Oyo); Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna); Yahaya Bello (Kano); Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto); Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo (Gombe); Abubakar Bello (Niger); Mohammad Bindow Jubrila (Adamawa); Mohammad Abdullahi (Bauchi), among others.
Also in attendance were a host of former governors, ministers, senators, House members, captains of industries, technocrats, bureaucrats, ambassadors, top-flight businessmen, traditional rulers, Islamic scholars and religious leaders.
There was, however, watertight security within Kano metropolis, as both uniformed and plain- clothed security agents were on red alert in case of any eventuality.
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”, said The Guardian.