It was simply a convergence of the crème-de-la-crème as ‘Dodan Barracks’ baby Halimat Babangida marries Alhaji Auwal Abdullahi, a Gombe businessman, yesterday, in Minna, Niger State. Both government and commercial activities stood still in the city. .
As early as 7:00am, the major roads within Minna metropolis especially those leading to the Hilltop home of the General were taken over by heavy armed security personnel stationed at every strategic junction.
Most shops and other business premises were closed as traders stayed at home due to the heavy vehicular and human traffic in the town.
The Minna International airport played host to over 26 private aircraft, the highest since the airport was constructed.
Government offices by afternoon were deserted, as majority of civil servants could not return from mosque after observing the Friday prayers.
Sheik Habibu Wushishi, the Imam of Wushishi Central Mosque, the home town of General Babangida joined the couple after the payment of bride price of N500, 000 cash and 10 cows by the family of the groom, led by the governor of Gombe State, Alhaji Ibrahim Dangwambo, who stood in as the father of the groom.
Former Chief of Army Staff, General Mohammed I. Wushishi, gave out Halimat in marriage on behalf of the family, after accepting the dowry.
It was a roll call of who- is -who in Nigeria with former President GoodLuck Jonathan and his wife, Dame Patience, leading the train of former heads of state and their wives, with General Abdulsalami Abubakar and his wife, Justice Fati Lami Abubakar and former Vice President, Namadi Sambo also in the train.
Other former first ladies at the wedding included Hajiya Maryam Abacha and her son Mohammed Abacha, as well as, Hajiya Turai Yar’adua.
Former PDP governors were led by Mallam Sule Lamido, (Jigawa) Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), Alhaji Attahiru Bafawara, (Sokoto) Isah Yuguda, (Bauchi) Mahmud Shinkafi (Zamfara), Ibrahim Shema (Katsina), Abubakar Dakingari (Kebbi), Professor Osaro Osumbo (Edo) and Otunba Gbenga Daniel (Ogun).
The serving governors led by their host, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, included the governors of Taraba, Sokoto, Gombe, Plateau, Nasarawa, Imo states.
The business community was led by business mogul, Aliko Dangote, Tony Elumelu, chairman UBA; Abdulwahab Folawiyo; MD Dornic Aviation, Mark Snoxell and General Garba Duba,.
The Senate President Alhaji Abubakar Bukola Saraki led both former and serving senators who included, David Mark, former Senate President; Magoro, Ben Obi, Ben Bruce, Sanusi Daggash, Pius Anyim, Ahmed Makarfi, and Ali Modu Sherif.
