The much publicized and talked about
international soccer idol, Kanu Nwankwo, had come and gone. Our ace correpondent,
EMMA OGU, who witnessed all the ceremonies rounds them up with a
blow-by-blow account.
THE just concluded wedding ceremony of
international soccer idol, Nwankwo Kanu in Owerri, Imo State capital brought joy
and tears among those who witnessed the event.
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It was a period of economic prosperity to
a good number of institutions and people. To this favoured group, it would not
be a bad idea if Kanu could possibly wed every week in Owerri. But there were
quite a good number of those who may not, be in a hurry to forget the bitter
experience they got at the wedding.
For the hotels in Owerri, it was abundant
profit. They were fully booked. Even the smaller ones among them had cause to
glorify Kanu’s wedding as many guests who could not have access to the choice
hotels had no choice but to patronise the vacant ones.
For Imo Concorde Hotel in whose premises
served as reception arena, it will be too hasty to count its gains in view of
elaborate preparations it put in place. It was not clear whether Kanu sponsored
this preparations or the hotel management.
Prior to the ceremony, Condorde had worn a
new orange colour. Staff were made to undergo a training exercise. By Friday,
many of them directly involved in customer service dressed in new uniform bought
for the ceremony. The swimming pool side of the hotel was renovated with a
beautiful structure erected above the water. This was where Kanu and his wife
Amarachi sat to watch their guests who also watched them. Concorde, indeed, was
glittering alongside the Presbyterian Church, which was repainted and decorated
to the taste of all who came.
Not only the hotels in Owerri could count
their profits, commercial motorcyclists and car operators were among those who
rejoiced. It was the busiest day for them. Commercial sex workers (CSW),
otherwise known as Harlots were not left out as they were seen roaming about
looking for patronage.
From Hausa quarters on Douglas Road, came
the rarely seen Hausa traders who invaded the church premises with pin-ups and
local necklaces with which they raked in money from the public who were
enthusiastic to identify with Kanu’s wedding. As soon as a visitor alighted from
the car, they rushed with the printed cards bearing photograph and inscription
of Kanu and wife.
No one employed them to do so, but they
exploited the opportunity to make money and surely they succeded as they were
not harassed by anyone.
Then there were other men who were
probably creative enough so to speak to prepare calender bearing the traditional
wedding pictures of Kanu and Amarachi. They sold not less than five thousand
copies at the venue, at the cost of thirty naira each. Many scrambled to have
the materials at least to show their family members that they were at the
wedding.
Ironically, it was not a sourvenir from
Kanu, but a product of the opportunists. If it were possible, a lot of people
would wish Kanu to do it again and again. Managing Director and Editor-In-Chief
of Champion Newspapers Limited, Mr. Emma Agu, quickly captured the minds
of others on Friday when he stepped into Concorde Hotel, "it is like Kanu should
be wedding here every week", he told one of the shinning staff of the gigantic
hotel.
The ceremony no doubt was a mixed grill.
For journalists, it was one of the worst experiences of their lives. The wedding
planning committee headed by one Onyebuchi Abia had indicated right from the
planning stage that Nigerian journalists would be of little or no importance at
the ceremony. The committee was of the belief that Kanu was already a celebrity
and, there was no need wasting time to call media briefing and soliciting
cooperation from the practitioners.
Even when Nwankwo’s father, Mr. Samuel
Iheme Kanu, referred this writer to a member of the committee and close aid of
Kanu, one Mr. Cyril Nwokeke, he was unwilling to volunteer even a statement on
preparations of his group for the wedding.
On the wedding day, only a few journalists
were given accreditation by the group as directed by Abia who bluntly ignored
the complaints of others. Press photographers were told that photo rights had
been given to Ovation magazine, therefore those who wanted to take
photograph would pay to Ovation and get permission.
The tags initially given to many of them
were withdrawn at the premises of All Seasons Hotel and replaced with another
card bearing the label of "media".
At the church service as well as at
reception ground they were chased from pillar to post by stern-looking youths
employed by the committee. Many journalists were humiliated and insulted.
Champion Newspapers photographer, Chris Nwobi lost his camera flash to thieves
in the process of running for safety while another Champion senior staff, George
Aluo, had his mobile telephone handset snatched from him by pick pockets at the
church premises.
Many photographers and writers could not
even gain access to the church sanctuary but stayed outside to do their jobs.
Yet, at premises of Concorde Hotel, the stern looking youths took over the job
of policemen beating and flogging people at sight.
It was a double tragedy for a young man
who lost his money to the pick pockets only to be engaged in another round of
assault by the youths clutching electric wires and horse whips. Blood filled his
face but no one could rescue him as every one scampered for safety.
However, the uncontrolled crowd who
besieged the arena even before Kanu and wife arrived after church service,
refused to cooperate as every one was desperate to move in, to witness the
event.
Even as the, cains were let out, the crowd
continued to surge. A video Camera man, Sam Iheanacho, lost the sum of N4000 to
the pick pockets who exploited the commotion at Concorde gate to perpetrate the
act.
Though Kanu’s wedding recorded success
mainly as a result of his personality, but the expected personalities never
turned up as anticipated probably as a result of the inability of the wedding
planning committee to reach out. They also discouraged Kanu from setting up a
high powered committee.
A good number of prominent Nigerians
preferred to stay away because they were not given invitations. No member of the
House of Representatives and senate from the southeast showed up. Even the wife
of the Senate President, Lady Felicia Wabara who came, represented Mrs. Stella
Obasanjo. Only Mr. Chuma Nnaji was the House of Assembly member at hand. Infact,
quite a handful of personalities who witnessed the ceremony came because of
their personal affection. Kanu voted millions of naira to package the Weding but
what was on ground was not commensurate with the money.
Many were left with the conclusion that
Kanu could not speak English language until journalists decided to engage him in
an interview when he stepped out from undisguised office he opened up.
Regardless of the shortcomings, indeed,
Kanu’s wedding was hitchfree. Security was beefed up by the government as
promised and Governor Achike Udenwa who just came back from Abroad where he
underwent a medical treatment was on hand to receive the August visitors.
He could not attend the crucial meeting of
the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) held in Enugu that Saturday
apparently as a result of the wedding.
Kanu had earlier received accolades and
commendation from Government and people of the state for not only coming home to
pick a wife but for organising the wedding in the Heartland city where he grew
up and started his career. Commissioner for Information and Culture, Mr. Chris
Okewanlonu described Kanu as good example of a good citizen.
At the Presbyterian Church, Governor
Achike Udwenwa who spoke through the Commission for Youth and Sports, Mr.
Chukwuma Ekomaru, poured encomium on Kanu noting that he came to the state to
hold his wedding at a time government needed him most for the success of the
tripod vision including Agriculture, Reorientation and Industrialisation.
But no less a person than president
Olusegun Obasanjo recognised Kanu’s contribution in National Development with
his feat in the field of soccer. Said Obasanjo who was represented by senator
Florence Ita-Giwa. "There is no better way of assisting sports men and women
than to give them moral support and the best opportunity to honour Nwaknwo was
at his wedding ceremony. I accepted the invitation because the best incentive to
be given to sports men and women is moral support.
"I also accepted this invitation in
identification of Kanu’s Heart Foundation. Kanu is a shinning example of not
only the youths, but men and women who profess humanity. I recall his feat in
Atlanta 1996 which united the people of the country beyond ethnic and religious
abundance", he said. Though Ita-Giwa’s voice was not very clear, the kernel of
the President’s message was nevertheless captured and the commander-in-chief of
the Armed Forces presence was felt.
President of apex Igbo socio-cultural
umbrella, Ohanaeze professor Joe Irukwu, who chaired the wedding
reception described him as the greatest unifier of the country in the present
age.
"He is the most outstanding role model. We
have gathered here to honour a youngman who is an embodiment of gratitude and
loyalty", he said.
There were many other dignitaries, either
at the church service of reception ground including former Chief of General
Staff, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe, former military Governors, Rear Admiral Allison
Madueke and Commodore Ndubuisi Kanu, former Sports Minister, Commodore Emeka
Omeruah, Deputy Governor of Lagos State Mr. Femi Pedro, and his counterpart from
Ebonyi, Dr. Chigozie Ogbu while Abia State Government was represented by
Emmanuel Mazi, Commissioner for Youths and Sports.
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