By Otunba TJ Abass
As a witness to a conjugal union would stretch their hand and append their signature on a marriage certificate, the sun had stretched its golden rays and spread warmth – both in the literal sense and in the figurative sense – symbolic of the divine approval of the marriage between Rev Adewale Alaka and Shana Blake in Houston, Texas this Friday 13th October 2023, with temperatures hovering in the mid-60s, typical of the transition to Autumn from Summer’s record-breaking temperatures in the upper 90s and 100s that have made this year the hottest year in almost a century.
For the Alakas, who have made Houston home for well over 40 years, the weather was just a perfect prescription for this event, the celebration of yet another watershed moment in their lives.
The story of Navy Chaplain, Rev Adewale Alaka
Shana Blake Jide is indeed a fairy tale of enchantments and love, excellently scripted, ordained in heaven, and consummated on earth.
They met on January 3, 2022, on Hinge, an online dating app; it was love at first sight, as they had only been on Hinge for two or three days. The chemistry that ensued bridged the physical and cultural gap between them – a transnational marriage, as the union can best be described.
Wale is from the Alaka family In Lagos, Nigeria, and Shana is from Harlem, NY; almost 6,000 miles apart, and despite the distance, the lovebirds were still determined to embark on a journey of a lifetime, unrelenting and undeterred in their pursuit of having each other as a fulfillment of their dreams, an affirmation that true love transcends cultural and geographical boundaries.
With less than one year of dating – 11 months to be precise – Wale proposed on Christmas Eve. Without hesitation, Shana, today’s bride, agreed to set out on a journey of a lifetime, a decision now resulting in an official closure of months of dating and the commencement of the blissful marital odyssey.
The stage was set as guests arrived for the first leg of the wedding ceremony, the traditional wedding, all impeccably and elegantly dressed.
The traditional wedding was just another moment to behold, typical of Nigerian culture. It is a celebration of culture, love, community, and the uniqueness of Yoruba customs.
The formal request for the bride’s hand in marriage by the groom’s family, who stepped out in colorful traditional attire, was indeed a feast for the eyes, the crux of a typical traditional Yoruba wedding ceremony.
The Alaga Ijoko championed the occasion while the Deejay kept guests’ waists swinging in beautiful dance steps, accompanied by the talking drum; it was such a rhythm and electrifying atmosphere of celebration and joy.
The event had earlier kicked off the previous day with a pre-wedding, the usual father’s night at Top Golf Katy, Texas, for a round of golf and dinner reception, followed by a groomsmen party.
The Expo Event Center in Houston was a converging point or a fulcrum for the creme De la creme of the society who had traveled far and near to grace the epochal event.
The Royal presence of HRM, Oba Yisa Adeniyi Adelakun Olaniyan (JP), Onipokia of Ipokia Kingdom, Ogun State, as the father of the day, representing all the male figures that have played important roles in the couple’s lives, also added glamour and majesty.
It exuded authority that has been the cornerstone of our cherished tradition.
Invoking the divine presence of God at the commencement of a social event is the norm in Nigerian culture. For the Adewale and Shana’s wedding, there was no exception. It was, therefore, not a coincidence that VSE Friday Thomas, the Olusho of the Celestial Church of Christ Restoration, was called upon to invoke the Spirit of God and His divine presence to set the ball rolling.
The groom’s parents, Elder Alexander Alaka and Mrs. Alaka were servants of God at the RCC Restoration Chapel, where the Olusho moved the entire crowd to the presence of God in an opening prayer.
The bride’s parents, too, Rev. William Blake and Mrs. Judy Blake, are both serving leaders in their church; little wonder the new couple share a deep spiritual bond that serves as the pillar upon which their new home rests, helping the marriage and outlasting any raging storm.
Besides their spiritual commitment, Elder Alaka and Mrs. Alaka are also social butterflies, never slacking in all their social responsibilities, and have, at one time or the other, been behind the scenes of life-changing community initiatives.
Chief Alexander Adekunle Alaka is the Bobajiro of Ifo land in Ogun State, the Otun Bada of Onigbongbo Lagos, and the Deputy Board Chairman of Eko Club in Houston, TX (a leading organization of Lagosians in Texas). At the same time, Chief Mrs. Omolara Ayinke Alaka is the Iya Oba of Ijesha, Lagos , State, Nigeria.
It is, therefore, not surprising that Eko Club Houston was visibly present at the wedding ceremony with the message of love and camaraderie that have been the organization’s mantra.
Other organizations in attendance included the old Students Association of the prestigious Oriwu College Ikorodu and the Celestial Church of Christ members.
Also in attendance was Chief Wasiu Lawal, the Bada of Onigbongbo land Lagos, and Pastor and Deaconess Somoye, Mrs Adebowale from Dubai.
It was a physical representation of geographical diversity – Lagos, Australia, Dubai, Paris, London, and Canada – to celebrate this monumental occasion with the Alaka family. A reflection of the winding network and influence that transcends boundaries that the couple has built over time.
The Expo Event Center was transformed into a paradise with the lavish decoration of such an aristocratic wedding ceremony.
The fantastic synergy and the stellar performances of the duo of DJ Daddy Coker and the MC. Mrs Titilayo Odediran, AKA Praise the Lord, entertained the guests in anticipation of the highlight of the day, the couple’s grand entrance.
The couple’s grand entrance lived up to its billing as they exuded confidence and brilliance while dancing their way to the high table, where they were warmly received by their parents and the chairman of the day, surrounded by family members, a symbolism of shared triumph and communal living typical of African, akin to the Zulu proverb: “Ubuntu – I am because we are”.
It was indeed a memorable traditional wedding, which was followed on Saturday 14th, by the American Sacred Wedding at Ashton Gardens, West Houston, by Walters Wedding Estate.
The couple at this event exchanged their nuptial vows, followed by another grand reception at the Walter Wedding Estate Hall.
It was another day of congested schedules, with the opening prayer by Pastor Somoye and a welcome address by Alexander Adekunle Alaka, the groom’s father.
The father-daughter mother-groom dance adds a touch of emotion to every wedding; Wale and Shana were not exemptions. The song “No More Daddy’s Girl” by Rev Blake, the bride’s father, must have been quite a choice as it added a personal and sentimental touch to the occasion.
The performance of the Military men in attendance was spectacular.
PROVERBS 18:22: “HE WHO FINDS A WIFE FINDS A GOOD THING AND OBTAINS FAVOR FROM THE LORD.”
There is no doubt that God’s favor and grace are vividly manifested at the wedding ceremony, a celebration of culture, tradition, and unalloyed faith in the Creator.
It was a blend of culture, community, and love—a showcase of America and Nigeria’s diversity and the importance of family in marriage.
The celebration was not just about the union of two individuals but also a celebration of a vibrant heritage that continues to thrive.
Congratulations to the newest couple in town
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