Lifestyle
Homecoming: Briton searching For Nigerian Roots Finally Meets Half-Brother
Paul Bolton, a 70-year-old mixedraced Briton, has finally found his Nigerian family after 31 years of searching. Bolton was born in 1954 to a British mother and a Nigerian father, who was a student in England at the time. His mother’s family rejected his father due to his race and the fact that his mother became pregnant out of wedlock. Bolton’s mother’s family took him away from her and placed him in an orphanage, where he grew up without knowing his parents. Bolton began searching for his father when his own daughter was born, hoping to pass on his family history to her.
However, his search was unsuccessful for many years. In 2022, he reached out to the Punch Newspapers for help, and an investigation revealed that his father was the late Olufemi Odeinde, a successful architect who died in a car accident in 1981. The investigation also revealed that Odeinde had two children with his wife, Tinuade, Oluyemi and Oyinkansola. Oluyemi, an architect like his father, passed away in 2021, while Oyinkansola lives in Italy. Bolton was hesitant to reach out to his half-siblings, fearing rejection.
However, in May 2024, a mail from a friend of Odeinde’s third child, Olumuyiwa, led to a reunion between Bolton and his Nigerian family. Olumuyiwa, who was 14 years old when his father passed away, recalled his father telling him about a son he had in the UK. When he saw a picture of Bolton, he knew immediately that it was his half-brother.
Olumuyiwa felt obligated to welcome Bolton into the family, as his father would have wanted. A Zoom meeting was arranged, and Bolton finally met his half-brother, Olumuyiwa, and his cousin, Yomi Porter. The reunion was emotional, with Bolton exclaiming, “Oh my goodness! Amazing. How are you?” Olumuyiwa responded, “When I see your forehead, it’s typical of our family! It’s nice to meet you, bro!
This is your family!” Bolton’s wife, Jane, who has been supportive of his search, was also present at the meeting. She revealed that another Briton, Tony, had been found through Ancestry DNA, who is also believed to be a son of Odeinde. The reunion has brought closure to Bolton’s search, and he is grateful to finally have found his Nigerian family.
Olumuyiwa has welcomed Bolton with open arms, saying, “If my dad remembered that he had a child somewhere that he did not know where the child was – that was how close my dad and I were, that he discussed that matter with me. And if somebody had shared all those things with me, why wouldn’t I, if I now see that this is the child, why wouldn’t I stretch out my hands to the child?”
Annette Nneka Echikunwoke was born on July 29, 1996, in Ohio, United States. She is a Nigerian-American hammer thrower who has made a name for herself in the world of athletics. Annette’s athletic career began in school, where she won the shot put and discus throw at a sports day event. She later attended the University of Cincinnati, where she was a member of the track and field team.
In 2017, she won the NCAA Division I Women’s Indoor Track and Field Championships in the weight throw event. In 2020, Annette elected to represent Nigeria at the Olympic Games. However, she was disqualified due to the negligence of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria. The federation failed to conduct the required out-of-competition drug tests, which led to the disqualification of Annette and nine other Nigerian athletes. Despite this setback, Annette continued to pursue her athletic career.
In 2021, she set four successive Nigerian and African records in the hammer throw event, with a personal best of 75.49m. She is currently ranked seventh in the world in the women’s hammer throw. Annette switched allegiance to the United States and represented the country at the 2024 Summer Olympics. She won a silver medal in the women’s hammer throw event, with a throw of 75.48m. This was the first Olympic medal for the United States in the women’s hammer throw event.
On behalf of Diaspora Watch and Excel Magazine International, we proudly celebrate Lady Gladys Afam, a distinguished executive of Excel DMV and Excel Global Media Group USA, on her special day!
May this birthday mark the beginning of an extraordinary year filled with unbridled joy, untamed adventures, and unforgettable memories. May your life be a testament to the power of laughter, love, and wonder.
As a remarkable teacher, master of ceremony, and inspiration to many, we salute your tireless dedication, passion, and impact. Your selflessness and commitment to empowering others have made a lasting difference in the lives of those around you.
The marraige ceremony between Olanrewaju and Mary happened between February 7 and 8, 2025 at Kwankwashe in Suleja axis of Niger State. The event which witnessed the presence of many dignitaries also saw in presence different cultural groups that came to join in the celebrations of love.
The traditional wedding event kicked off the celebrations on February 7th, with both families present. The event had songs, dancing and showcase of love. The couples dorned their Edo and Yoruba at-tires. While the bride Mary Omonokhua is from Edo State, Olanrewaju Oyedeji hails from Osun state. There were sharing of tradtional food, drinks and merriment across quarters.
The reception on February 8, had present former Minister of Communications, Barrister Ade-bayo Shittu, Africa Editor at the Centre for Collaborative Investigative Journalism, Ajibola Aamzat, Abuja Bureau Chief of The Cable Newspaper, Yekeen Akinwale, representative of the Voice of Nigeria Chief Executive Officer, Gidado Shuaib among other personalities .
There were personalities from the SCC Construction company, multimedia organizations among others. The wedding ceremony also saw presence of journalists from British Broadcasting Corporation, AFP, Premium Times, Dataphyte, Code for Africa, Punch Newspaper, Intercontinental News247 among other notable media platforms.
The Northern Operations Bureau Chief of the Excel Magazine International, Alabidun Abdul-Rahman, was also on ground at the occasion. Other personalities included the head of corporate Affairs at the Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Kwara State, Bolaji Aladie .The program also had presence of religious leaders, women groups, socio-cultural associations among others.
Speaking at the occasion, the groom, Olanrewaju Oyedeji, noted that his wife is a special gift from God. “She is my dream come true, love of my youth and my everyday crush. She gives me peace of mind and I am very happy today”.
Speaking also, the bride Mary Omonokhua eulogized her husband. “He is a caring man, hardworking and my heart desire, today is a special day for me”, she noted. At the event, the both families who were well represented expressed gladness at the success of the wedding event.
Different groups offered prayers for the couples, while gifts were also offered. Olanrewaju Oyedeji is an accountant while Mary Omonokhua is also an accountant. “This is a true celebration of love, you can feel it all round, the joy is in the atmosphere and everywhere is electric” an attendee at the wedding noted.
#MaryOla2025 showed that love can be from across tribes and still be beautiful to behold.
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