Nigeria’s freshest couple, President Goodluck Jonathan’s daughter Faith, and her husband Godswill, who got married on Saturday, took home between 60 and 80 brand new vehicles as gifts, according to reports from people who had the rare opportunity of being at the ceremony.
The cars were mostly gifts for the President’s daughter. They came from Captains of industry, Governors and many influential politicians and business people who thronged the plush ceremony.
According to movie producer and director Charles Novia, who was at the ceremony, “bastardly rich” Nigerians were tripping all over each other with presents for the couple. He wrote on his blog that the couple received over 60 brand new vehicles. Other reports put the number at 80 or more.
The wedding was telecast live on Nigerian state TV, NTA and each of the guests received a gold-plated customised iphone as a gift.
Novia says despite their high and mightiness, most of the rich Nigerians – irrespective of status – were all rushing to gain access to the ceremony. He said some of the guests were locked out after President Jonathan entered, since per protocol, nobody leaves or enters once the President has entered.
“Captains of industries and Government officials were in a flux and fight to enter the hall which was barricaded by stern security men at the International Conference Centre,” he wrote.
He said the scramble was so intense that people’s clothes were left “rumpled and creased…A couple of ladies lost their headscarves and headties and gave us shocking glimpses of their ‘Abolo’ heads!”
“There was a group of orange-scarved women who caused a stampede in the hall after the wedding rushing for gifts and stuff!”
Novia said the President’s stern but professional security detail at the venue “didn’t give a hoot who you were. Orders are orders.”
He said: “Everyone who entered; those that mattered wanted to be seen by the President or First Lady and a small line of diffident favour-seekers or friends was formed but many could not pass through the security detail to just greet Mr President.”