My Native Guy... Is Getting Hitched

Oghenejiro Izreal Otiotio just got married!

Everyone calls him Ejiro. And his close friends call him "Tiny". Dont ask me why!

I first met Ejiro in Feb 1999 at an AIESEC conference. I had this really great joke on paper and was passing it round the whole conference. People were doubling up in laughter every single time. I approached Ejiro who was an LCP (and I was a fresh faced newie) gave him the paper with the joke on it, he read it without the slightest expression on his face, handed it back to me and said, "yeah... so?"

I hated him instantly.

I discovered I would have to get in line to kill him as he sort of brought out that kind of emotion in people. He typifies the statement, "Love him or hate him, you cant ignore him". And I do believe a lot of girls 'loved' him quite frequently.

He came to my University shortly afterwards for a President's meeting and I was supposed to be his official chaperone. I confirmed my initial assessment of him as one of the most arrogant people to walk the face the earth but he also showed why his friends were fiercely loyal to him.

He was and still is one of the most brilliant and intelligent persons i know, he was almost always right and was never afraid to push forward his ideas. Even at the risk of alienating the whole country. He showed almost no grace in conceding when he was proved wrong on a point but most choleric individuals never do. That was back then. In the intervening years, it has been amazing to see how Ejiro has become a bit more mellowed and tolerant of other people's views.

I spent a period of 3 months on the road with Ejiro in the summer of 2000 when he was an MC member and I was a support member of the MC. Funny, exasperating, loyal, downright born for leadership and I came to be one of his loyal 'acolytes' in this period. Although he did admit once (not to me) that I was one of the very few people who could stand up to him.

Now Ejiro is getting married.

I have spoken to Obehi his bride, although i havent met her and I have a sneaking suspicion he might just have found his soul mate. They do make a lovely couple on the wedding invitation do they not?

In Nigeria, a term used instead of 'buddy' is 'my guy'. This indicates a closer level of friendship more than ordinary. And I was very honored when Ejiro said I wasnt just his 'guy' but I was his "native guy".

As you take this all important step my native guy, may you have more kids than your dad did, and may the strength of your arm be sufficiently strong enough to be a loving father and perfect husband. AMEN

You can visit Ejiro's wedding website here
Ejiro's happy day of joy has made me nostalgic about when I will be able to have mine. Tope and I have to start making some concrete plans on taking that next step. God Help me... why am I so far away from her?