Bianca Ojukwu, former beauty queen and Nigeria’s ex-ambassador to Spain, took a reflective walk down memory lane as she commemorated the 24th anniversary of her traditional wedding to the late Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the iconic Biafran warlord and political figure.
In a heartfelt Instagram post shared on Wednesday, Bianca unveiled never-before-seen photos from their “Igba Nkwu” ceremony, held on this day 24 years ago in Ngwo, Enugu State. Despite already being legally and religiously married — and having had three children — the couple had to wait 12 years for her father’s blessing for a traditional wedding.
“Ikemba and I waited for 12 years for Dad’s green light which finally came seven years after our white wedding and three children later,” Bianca wrote. “That’s when the father of the bride said ‘Yes’!”
The grand event, dubbed ‘Igba Nkwu Bianca,’ attracted top dignitaries from across Nigeria, including all South-East governors, and was held at Okwor’s Fortress — the iconic stone palace of her grandfather, Gabriel Okwor-Onoh.
The Bride Price Twist
Bianca revealed an unusual twist that made the day unforgettable. Her father, C.C. Onoh, declined monetary bride price and instead demanded 100 pre-independence copper coins — the rare old Nigerian coins with holes in the middle.
“It cost so much more to source the coins than they were actually worth,” she said. “Ojukwu’s team had to scramble across the country just to find them.”
When she later questioned the odd request, her father told her:
“I had to make it difficult for him to take your hand in marriage… If it were purely a matter of paying money… that would have been easy for him to do. But anytime he makes you upset… he will remember the difficulty in procuring your bride price!”
Bianca described this gesture as “vintage Aninefungwu,” a nod to her father’s wisdom and wit.
“Fast forward to today and I am simply awed by my father’s wisdom. Sometimes, when it’s said that ‘Daddy knows best,’ trust me… I should know!”
Legacy of Love
The post ends on a tender note, highlighting the deep personal and cultural significance of that day. Bianca and Ojukwu shared a love story that defied societal norms and endured through time, until his passing in 2011 at the age of 78.
Her story has since sparked admiration online for its rich blend of tradition, family loyalty, and timeless love.
