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Their arrival signalled the take off of the ceremony. It however, took the policemen and other security operatives over 30 minutes to control the battery of photo journalists that blocked the glare of the guests and the couple. Accompanied by her all-smiling husband, Aisha stepped out to perform her first marital assignment by joining her husband in cutting the wedding cake, under the supervision of Mrs Margaret Shonekan, the wife of the former head of the Interim National Govern-ment (ING), Chief Ernest Shonekan, with Mrs Ajoke Murtala Muhammed and Mrs. Gowon as observers. The reception ceremony afforded people who missed the wedding nikkah the opportunity to honour the couple. The younger brother of the late General Abacha, Alhaji Abdulkadir Abacha led members of the Abacha family to the wedding. Alhaji Abacha said the family's presence was an indication of the cordiality that exists between the Babangidas and their family. Mohammed Abacha, who was the best man at the ceremony, was very visible during the three-hour reception.


It was a day of joy for the Babangida family as the former military president smiled all over as he pomped hands and his wife, Maryam looked as radiant as ever. The wedding between Aisha, Baba-ngida's first daughter and Basheer Lado Garba, nephew of the late Head of State ,General Sani Abacha had the First Lady, Mrs Stella Obasanjo representing her husband, President Olusegun Obasanjo who is on leave in his Ota Farm. The ceremony had the Vice President, Atiku Abub-akar, 31 state governors, 62 senators, and 69 members of the House of Representatives in attendance. Over 100 former federal lawmakers were also present. The wedding fatiha (solemnisation of holy matrimony) which lasted for about 20 minutes at the Uphill country home of Babangida was conducted by two Islamic scholars, Alhajis Abubakar Imam, and Mohammed Nafiu. Alhaji Imam told the large gathering that a sum of N25,000 was paid along with 31 pounds of gold as dowry on Aishat, an event that also had General Mohammed Wus-hishi (rtd) as the father of the day. The Wedding nikkah was concluded at the Babangidas residence and guests moved to the Sports Complex of the El-Amin International School owned by Mrs. Maryam Babangida for the reception. Declaring the occasion open, former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abu-bakar prayed for a happy married life for the couple, urging them to be solid partners in order to have a fulfilled family life. The wife of the President, Chief Stella Obasanjo, the Vice President and his wife, Titi, General Yakubu Gowon and his wife, Victoria and chieftains of virtually all the political parties attended the reception. Gaily-dressed in beautiful golden-brown wedding gown, Aishat was the cynosure of all eyes, when she, along with her husband, who was decked in stripped white flowing babanriga, alighted from a Benz 500X Class with registration number AH 739 ABC at the reception ground.

	Their arrival signalled the take off of the ceremony. It however, took the policemen and other security operatives over 30 minutes to control the battery of photo journalists that blocked the glare of the guests and the couple. Accompanied by her all-smiling husband, Aisha stepped out to perform her first marital assignment by joining her husband in cutting the wedding cake, under the supervision of Mrs Margaret Shonekan, the wife of the former head of the Interim National Govern-ment (ING), Chief Ernest Shonekan, with Mrs Ajoke Murtala Muhammed and Mrs. Gowon as observers. The reception ceremony afforded people who missed the wedding nikkah the opportunity to honour the couple. The younger brother of the late General Abacha, Alhaji Abdulkadir Abacha led members of the Abacha family to the wedding. Alhaji Abacha said the family's presence was an indication of the cordiality that exists between the Babangidas and their family. Mohammed Abacha, who was the best man at the ceremony, was very visible during the three-hour reception.

The ceremony saw one of the largest gathering of who is who in the political, business and academic sectors in the country. Babangida, the chief host, wore a white agbada, white shoes and a blue cap. From about 9.15 a.m, he stood infront of the venue to receive guests who were coming in droves. In his company were Air Vice Marshals Hamza Abdullahi and Nura Imam. Also in the welcome party was Babangida's first son, Mohammed, who was receiving his friends and friends of his siblings. The guests had come from across the country in state of the art cars and dressed in various styles and colours. It was gathered that over 5,000 invitation cards were sent out, but over 20,000 guests were in attendance. Security was tight. A police helicopter was seen hovering over the venue, keeping a close watch on all in attendance. Police Bomb Disposal Unit van with registration number PF 664 HQ was also at the venue as well as, members of the Nigerian Red Cross who were present to prevent any eventuality. Apart from Vice President Abubakar and his entourage who arrived by 11.09 p.m, and had to trek to the venue because of the crowd, other dignitaries present included former Ghanaian President, Jerry Rawlings and his wife Nana, former Minister of Solid Mineral, Ali Kaloma and Senator Idris Kuta.



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