Femi Otedola, billionaire business mogul has been busy in the last few weeks. He released his autobiography, which is making waves and selling fast.
He gave his last daughter away in marriage in 3 countries. From the exotic and demure pictures released after the ceremonies in Dubai, Iceland and Monaco, it was a classy bash for the who’s who in the nation.
Its exclusivity and quiet sophistication is an ode to traditional Yoruba culture and norms. From the father’s charge to his daughter to obey and submit to her husband. To the daughter quickly dropping her father’s name for her husband’s in the tradition of our mothers.
That’s the norm for baby boomers born and raised before social media. That’s certainly heresy for the woke Gen Z generation reared on smartphones, social media trends, hashtags and multiple apps.
What has particularly intrigued and astounded me are the comments and antics of those who call themselves online inlaws. These are busybodies not invested in any way with both families but nevertheless are determined to control the narratives.
Imagine someone who cannot run few coins together pontificating on a billionaire’s daughter’s wedding because of data access.
Imagine someone daily jumping public bus to work strenuously berating the Otedolas on their wardrobes, locations and traditional values.
Imagine someone checking on social media while cooking with firewood in Yanyan in Abuja!
So many people wrongly equate social media access to familiarity and closeness.
Feminists are up in arms berating the daughter for abandoning her identity.
Others want the bride to prove her independence through retaining her father’s name.
Unknown to them, billionaires are conservative by nature. They always maintain the status quo. They delight in passing on family values from generation to generation.
They are groomed not to rock the boat through obnoxious or trendy behaviors.
They also engage in rigorous vetting of potential suitors for their children.
For them, marriage is a business decision.
Here, the groom in question has been known to the family for 8 years. No wonder he was referred to by Alhaji Aliko Dangote, a close friend of the bride’s father as a part time singer. It was disclosed that the groom has businesses in 18 countries.
This was clearly not a union of a pauper and rich girl. It was rather a coming together of two young purposeful people with deep pockets of their own. Two entrepreneurs making waves in diverse sectors of the economy.
So I advise the social media warriors to sit this one out because it’s simply above their pay grade.
This is billionaire’s turf, private jets, swanky villas, exquisite dinning and international haute couture.
This is not jumping on Danfo buses while munching on half finished roasted plantain and nuts.
This is not scooping brackish water from a well in your compound in Ikorodu.
This is not selecting thrift clothes in an open market in Kubwa.
See, is it not just wise and better to turn this wedding to a free Masterclass on billionaire lifestyle.
Why not take in all the picturesque sceneries, fineries and pray that good fortune will smile on you one day through strategy and hard work.
A word is enough for the wise.
Please join this conversation and send in your comments and feedback to mooborscounsellingroom@gmail.com
By Mubo Okosun
Women’s Editor
