By Ingram Osigwe
Tuesday, the 7th of January 2025 was a day that will forever remain evergreen in the hearts of the newest couple in town, Engr and Mrs Lious (Mayor) Ihionu as they tied the knot signalling the commencement of marital bliss.
The ambience of St. Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral, Awka, Anambra state and ICC Event Centre also in Awka was gay and colourful as the proverbial Two Love Birds of the Love Song, Engr. Ihionu and his delectable bride, Miss Vivian Ukamaka Okonkwo attracted high and mighty in the society who came to witness them exchange marital vows.
After the marriage solemnization at the church, the wedding ceremony shifted to the ICC Event Centre for the reception which was chaired by Chief Patrick Onwuelingo (Ogbunaechendo Akokwa), Chairman/CEO Patricklingo Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
The marriage sponsor, Chief Ifeanyi Amaonye( Ife Ekwuluobia) was also on hand to direct proceedings.
Arguably one of the biggest high society weddings east of Niger in the new year, Ukamaka and Louis’s union is a marriage of two Southeast states- Imo and Anambra. While the bride, an Economist and a graduate of the prestigious Cardiff Metropolitan University, UK, hails from the Okonkwo family of Umuakuru kindred, Umuechem, Umuoji in Idemili North local government area of Anambra state, the groom, a Coventry University, Uk-trained Engineer and a Director in Reliable Group of Companies, hails from the Ihionu family of Umunyaku, Umuopia, Ideato North local government area of Imo state. Louis who attended Infant Jesus Secondary School, Asaba, Delta state, for his secondary education also holds a Masters Degree in Automobile Engineering.
The wedding ceremony attracted prominent personalities, ostensibly made possible by the groom and bride’s parents who are top-notch industrialists and big-time foreign dealers respectively; they leveraged their influences and connections to attract their VIP friends and business associates to the the event.
While the groom’s mother, Nneoma Lady Maria Ihionu( Chibundo), founder of Akokwa Digital Ladies, ADL, is the MD/CEO, Reliable Group of Companies, his father, Chief (Sir) Samuel Ihionu, KSJI (Chimereze of Akokwa) sits atop the Indigenous conglomerate as Chairman.
On the other hand, the bride’s father, Chief Okey Silas Okonkwo (Ozuomee Umuoji) is one of Nigeria’s biggest and most successful forex dealers.
The reception erupted into frenzy as Mr P of the Psquare fame thrilled the guests and electrified the hall with his soul stirring songs.
Coming shortly after the highly successful maiden ADL Akokwa carnival and Award nite, friends and well-wishers of the Ihinous opine that the wedding further cemented conviviality among communities, towns and friends beyond Akokwa.
Among the array of dignitaries who graced the wedding include Lady Ada Chukwudozie, Chairman, Keystone Bank Plc,
HRH Eze Ikenna Okoli, (Agbakwuriibe) Obi of Akokwa, HRH Eze Don Opurozor (Ezeahurukwe 11), the Opia of Umuopia, Chief Celestine Ebubeogu (Ide Akokwa) Chairman, Tiger foods Ltd, Chief Dona Ebubeogu, M/D Tiger foods Ltd, Chief Ifeanyi Okpara ( Nnukwu Agu), Chief Chijioke Awalite (Ugegbe Akokwa), Chief Sir & Dr (Mrs) Joseph Ukeji (CEO Ejison Group of companies), Chief Sir Nnamdi Okwuonu (CEO Silver Rose Ltd), High Chief Ifeanyi Ojimba (Ekwuemego), Chief Sir & Lady Ifeanyi Amonye (Ife Ekwulobia), Chief (Sir) & Lady Godwin Ubaka Okeke, Chief Ikechukwu Okonkwo (Ozuemme na Umuoji) (bride’s dad) and Chief S.O Mike Anagu (CEO Makson chemical).
Others are Chief Alfred Nwora (Onochie), CEO Eteleson group of companies, Barr & Dr (Mrs) Okey Muomalu, Chief and Lolo Dona Madumere (CEO Vinval ), Chief Ben & lady Oby Chinemelu, Chief (Sir) Chukwudi Ofoedu (Osuofia),Chief and Mrs Fabian Onwuachu (Osuofia ukwu), Chief and Lolo Willy Obi ( Agbarusia Ngele ), Chief Isreal Ojiekwe (Akuzurumba ), Chief (Sir) and Lolo Emma Eziokwu (Akuiriri na Utuh), Chief Ifeanyi Ikejiaku (Akusinachi), Chief and Lolo Aloysius Okonkwo (Ide Ifitedunu) and Chief Sir and Lady Augustine Ibeme (Ezeani udokamma), CEO Citizen paint
About 25 priests from different Catholic parishes actoss Nigeria co-officiated in the wedding marriage soleminazation.
– Ingram Osigwe is the MD of Full page international communications Ltd
