CREATIVE CHRONICLE OF A LANDMARK WEDDING THAT UNITED SERVING AND RETIRED CUSTOMS OFFICERS: THE KANO CEREMONY OF DCG AUWAL MOHAMMED’S DAUGHTER

By Suleiman Bomai

1. In the ancient, ever-vibrant city of Kano, where history breathes through every archway and the evening breeze carries echoes of centuries gone, the Nigeria Customs Service in December 2025, assembled in a display of unity unlike any seen in recent years. The occasion was the wedding of the daughter of Deputy Comptroller General Auwal Mohammed to Assistant Superintendent Bello Mohammed Magaji, but what unfolded became far more than a marriage between two families. It became a tapestry of culture, friendship, tradition, and unshakable solidarity.
A HISTORIC GATHERING OF CUSTOMS LEADERSHIP AND ROYAL FATHERS

2. The ceremony attracted an impressive array of both former and serving members of the Service; DCG’S, ACG’S, Compt’s, Deputy Compt’s, Assistant Compt’s, both serving and retired, cascading down to the least in rank of the Nigeria Customs Service, all led by the amiable no-nonsense DCG Mairo Isa Talatu. Their presence demonstrated the enduring loyalty within the service, where rank and retirement do not diminish the shared identity or mutual respect forged over years of dedicated national service.
3. Among the distinguished guests were four Royal Fathers, including: the Sarki of Kuje Abuja, Sarkin Gwagwalada Abuja, Sarkin Karshi Abuja and Sarkin Ruboji Abaji Abuja. Their presence added a regal grace to the ceremony, blending royal dignity with institutional honour.

ITINERARY OF EVENTS
4. The wedding festivities were carefully planned and spread across several days, each segment reflecting culture, elegance, and the cherished values of the families involved.
5. Mothers’ Night – 11 December 2025. The celebration commenced with the Mothers’ Night, an event rich with cultural beauty, warmth, and feminine elegance. Mothers, aunties, and female well-wishers gathered to honour the bride, share blessings, and celebrate womanhood in a night filled with laughter, music, prayers, and traditional displays.
6. Wedding Lunch – 12 December 2025. The following day, guests convened at the renowned Bonn Hotel in Kano for a distinguished wedding luncheon. This was a moment for dignitaries, colleagues, friends, and families to interact in a relaxed setting. The hotel’s serene ambience provided the perfect environment for meaningful conversations, reconnections, and the strengthening of bonds among attendees.
7. Glamorous Night of the Bride and Groom – 12 December 2025. Later that evening, the celebration transitioned into a glamorous night dedicated to the bride and groom. This segment served as a modern expression of joy, filled with vibrant colours, elegance, and heartfelt tributes. The internationally renowned KOROSO DANCE electrified the glamorous night of celebration. The atmosphere was lively yet graceful, symbolising the couple’s journey into a new chapter of life.
8. The Wedding Fatiha – Saturday, 13 December 2025. The climax of the entire ceremony was the Wedding Fatiha, held at the revered Alfurqan Mosque, Nasarawa, Kano. The solemn Islamic rites were performed in the presence of religious scholars, elders, senior customs officers, family members, and an impressive array of well-wishers. The Fatiha stood as a moment of spiritual significance, binding the couple in accordance with Islamic tradition and culminating the series of memorable events. Finally, after the wedding Fatiha, guests were treated to a reception at the Amani Event Centre Tamandu Road, Nasarawa GRA Kano.

A TESTAMENT TO CUSTOMS SERVICE SOLIDARITY

9. This wedding will be remembered not only for its elegance and cultural richness but also for the extraordinary solidarity demonstrated by the Nigeria Customs Service. The overwhelming attendance of both serving and retired officers underscored the unity and prestige associated with this distinguished institution.
10. The gathering reflected:
• The hallmark of fellowship within the Service
• The glamour and dignity that accompany its traditions
• The deep respect shared among officers across ranks and generations
Indeed, this event reinforced the Nigeria Customs Service as an enviable organization where professional ties blossom into lifelong bonds.

CONCLUSION

11. The wedding ceremony of the daughter of DCG Awal Mohammed (Rtd) and ASC Bello Mohammed Magaji in Kano stands as a profound example of unity, honour, and communal pride within the Nigeria Customs Service. Each stage of the celebration, from the Mothers’ Night to the Fatiha, was marked by cultural depth, distinguished presence, and emotional warmth.
12. For posterity, this event will remain an unforgettable chapter in the collective memory of all who attended, and a shining example of the solidarity that lies at the heart of the Nigeria Customs Service.

Bomai, a retired Deputy Comptroller General of Customs, writes from Maiduguri