…a fusion of Igbo tradition and Christian faith, hosted in the rolling vineyards of province, says Osita Chidoka
The iNews Times reports that Kene Obiejesi, daughter of Igbo billionaire and business magnate Ernest Azudialu Obiejesi (Obijackson) Chairman of Nestoil, has tied the knot with Ugo Okonkwo, son of entrepreneur Emma Bishop Okonkwo.
In a beautiful blend of cultures, Ugo and Kene’s wedding celebration took place yesterday in the picturesque South of France.
The ceremony, which brought together friends and family from around the world, was a testament to the couple’s deep roots in Igbo tradition and their global outlook.
According to an opening speech made by the former aviation minister and Chancellor of Athena Centre, Osita Chidoka, Chairman of the wedding, the couple’s love story began in Okija, Anambra State, Nigeria, where they participated in a traditional wedding ceremony. This traditional ceremony laid the foundation for the global celebration that followed in France.
The wedding in France was a fusion of Igbo and Christian traditions, reflecting the couple’s heritage and faith.
Osita Chidoka (Ike Obosi) highlighted the significance of marriage in Igbo culture, describing it as a communal journey and a covenant of families.
He also emphasized the Christian perspective on marriage as a sacrament, built on grace, sacrificial love, and commitment.
The celebration in the rolling vineyards of Provence was a unique blend of African warmth and French elegance, Chidoka stated.
Chidoka humorously referenced Chinua Achebe’s novel “Things Fall Apart,” describing the generous and celebratory nature of the Igbo people when it comes to marriage.
Although the food was served in fine French portions, the spirit of abundance and sharing remained the same.
Ugo and Kene’s union is a reflection of the Igbo spirit of adventure, curiosity, and adaptability.
As global citizens with deep cultural roots, they embody the fusion of traditions, carrying their Igbo heritage with pride while embracing their global outlook.
In his heartfelt message to the couple, Chidoka reminded them that their love is not just a personal journey but also a reflection of their ancestors’ faith and the prayers of their people.
He wished them a lifetime of love, perseverance, and shared purpose, echoing the sentiments of the gathered guests.
The wedding celebration in the South of France was a beautiful testament to the power of love to bridge cultures and traditions.
As Ugo and Kene begin their new life together, they carry with them the love and support of their family and friends, as well as the rich heritage of their Igbo roots and the romance of their French surrounding.
Full Text of Osita Chidoka’s Speech
Opening Speech by Osita Chidoka, Chairman of the Wedding of Ugo Okonkwo and Kene Azudialo
South of France | 7 June 2025
Ladies and Gentlemen, friends and family,
Bonsoir à tous. Good evening.
It is with great joy and a deep sense of honour that I welcome you all to this celebration of love, commitment, and the beautiful union of two exceptional individuals—Ugo Okonkwo and Kene Azudialu Obiejesi—in the heart of the South of France.
Today, we witness a deeply African story unfold on European soil. It is a story of love, heritage, migration, and the eternal human quest for connection. It is a fusion of Igbo tradition and Christian faith, hosted in the rolling vineyards of Provence. What a magnificent stage for love!
As an Igbo man, I am reminded that ịlụ di na nwunye—marriage—is not just a private affair between two people. It is a communal journey. In our culture, marriage is a covenant of families, a celebration of unity, and a symbol of maturity and responsibility.
Before we crossed oceans and time zones to be here, this journey of love began where our stories often start—in the soil of home. The traditional wedding took place in Okija, Anambra State.
There, in the warmth of community and accordance with our ancestors’ rites, Ugo and Kene were joined in ịlụ di na nwunye. That ceremony built the foundation, rooted in Igbo heritage, upon which today’s global celebration now rests.
Yet today, we gather not just in Igbo tradition but in the Christian spirit. In Christianity, marriage is a sacrament—a divine mystery that reflects the love between Christ and the Church. It is a relationship built on grace, sacrificial love, and the promise to walk together through all seasons of life.
I remember that humorous moment in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart during Obierika’s daughter’s wedding feast. The pounded yam was so vast—like a small hill—that the guests seated on one side of the table could not see other guests on the other side. That is how generous and celebratory our people are regarding marriage. Food must flow until you cannot see your neighbour!
And here, tonight, though the food may be served in fine French delicate portions and not by the calabash, the spirit is the same. Love has brought us together. And love, like pounded yam, is best when shared abundantly.
We may all be tourists in France tonight, but we carry our culture and convictions, just as the Igbo always does.
We are travellers by nature—seeking knowledge, forging partnerships, and building bridges. Whether trading in faraway lands or studying in global institutions, we move, but we do not forget where we come from.
What strikes me is how beautifully these Igbo and Christian traditions converge. Both understand that marriage is not a transaction but a transformation.
That love is not just a feeling but a commitment. The journey ahead is not about perfection but perseverance, forgiveness, and shared purpose.
Now, why here? Why France?
The answer lies in the Igbo soul.
We are a people of motion—curious, adaptive, ever-seeking knowledge and new experiences. From the ancient markets of Arochukwu to the modern boardrooms of New York, from Nnewi’s entrepreneurship to Silicon Valley’s code, the Igbo spirit travels—learns, adapts, and returns stronger.
This wedding in the South of France is a tribute to that spirit. Ugo and Kene are global citizens with deep cultural roots. They honour their ancestry not by staying still but by carrying their identity with pride—wherever they go.
Ugo and Kene embody that spirit. Their love is global yet grounded. Sophisticated, yet rooted. Celebrated in France but born in Okija.
So, as we celebrate this union, let us remember what it teaches us:
That love knows no borders.
That tradition can travel.
That culture is not a cage—it is a compass.
And that marriage, like this moment, can be deeply local and beautifully global.
To the couple, I offer these words:
Ugo and Kene,
As you walk into this covenant, remember that you carry more than your individual hopes. You carry the faith of your ancestors and the prayers of your people. You embody a fusion of traditions: the Igbo sense of duty and family, the Christian call to love and service, and the global spirit of bold exploration.
You are Okija and Paris. You are kola nut and croissant.
You are the new face of love, anchored in heritage and open to the world.
And so, with full hearts and deep gratitude, we all stand today—not just as guests but as witnesses to the making of a new family. May your love echo louder than applause. May your story inspire beyond these hills. And may the generations that come from your union say,
“They did not build only a home, but a legacy – a legacy of regeneration and renewal.”
Welcome to the great journey.
Welcome to Forever.
Osita Chidoka
South of France | 7 June 2025
