Professor Luqman Zakariyah, the officiating Imam at the wedding Fatiha of the children of the Minister of State for Defence, Mohammed Bello Matawalle, on Friday, described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a father to all and prayed that his administration would restore hope to the hopeless in society.
Professor Zakariyah offered the prayers at the multiple wedding ceremony held at the National Mosque, Abuja, which was attended by President Tinubu, who represented the Matawalle family.
The President of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, Carlos Manuel Vila Nova, was also present at the event.
Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), in a statement issued on Friday, said during the prayers, Professor Zakariyah asked Almighty Allah to grant President Tinubu good health, long life, prosperity, and success throughout his tenure.
The Imam noted that the President symbolically stood as the father of all the brides and grooms and prayed that his leadership would bring renewed hope to those in despair.
Former Zamfara State Governor Matawalle gave out five of his daughters, Maryam, Safiyya, Farida, Nana Firdausi, and Aisha, in marriage, while five of his sons, Ibrahim, Abdul Jalal, Surajo, Bello, and Fahad, also tied the knot at the ceremony.
President Tinubu formally received the brides on behalf of the Matawalle family. The officiating Imam also prayed for divine blessings on the marriages, success for the couples in their life journeys, and continued blessings for their parents and grandparents.
The ceremony was witnessed by several dignitaries, including state governors, members of the National Assembly, members of the Federal Executive Council, Service Chiefs, members of the Diplomatic Corps, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and other well-wishers.
