Tony Edike
13 October 2008
Enugu — It was a gathering of who is who at the quiet community of Umemeze Amuda Isuochi of Abia State on Saturday as thousands of people converged to witness the traditional marriage of Enugu State Governor, Sullivan Chime and his new heartthrob, former Clara Chibuzo Igwe.
Governor Chime's marriage to Clara has been welcomed as a very big relief to most Enugu people who have many years been denied the opportunity of having a First Lady like their counterparts in other states in Nigeria where First Ladies contribute their quota to the development of the states. During the immediate past administration of Governor Chimaroke Nnamani, his wife Nnenna only occupied the position of first lady in less than one year before she left for America.
The mammoth crowd that witnessed the historic occasion comprised the high, low and the down-trodden of the Nigerian society. Some of the dignitaries included the Vice President, Goodluck Jonathan; national chairman of the PDP, Chief Vincent Ogbulafor; Senate president, Senator David Mark and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu; Chairman senate committee on media Senator Ayogu Eze; the GOC 82 Division, Enugu, Gen. A. D. Ibrahim and the Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Sani Magaji.
Others were governors T. A. Orji (Abia), Peter Obi (Anambra), Ikedi Ohakim (Imo), Rotimi Amechi (Rivers), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa-Ibom), Martins Elechi (Ebonyi), Modu Sheriff (Bornu), Minister of Defence, Mrs. Fidelia Njeze and her Education counterpart, Igwe Aja-Nwachukwu as well as deputy governors of Kogi, Edo and Benue states. There were also representatives of the Sultan of Sokoto.
Also present at the occasion which seemed more like a carnival were Senator Jim Nwobodo, Rear Admiral Alison Madueke, former military governor of old Imo state; Chief C. C. Onoh, among others.
This is the second time governor Chime would marry after very many years his first marriage to Ify collapsed. Ify, a pretty daughter of a diplomat from Chime's hometown, Udi, reportedly parted ways with her hubby after bearing four children, two boys and two girls, most of who have now grown to adulthood. Ironically not even one of them was sighted during the ceremony which attracted people from all walks of life and no reason was given for their absence.
Chime and his entourage could not arrive the venue until around 3:35 p.m. when his convoy cruised into the arena with Senator Nwobodo ushering him in. Chime had earlier gone to the University of Nigeria Nsukka where he received an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Public Administration.
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