Nigerian oil heir’s R80m UK nuptials

THERE was a palace, a million roses, a wedding cake that touched the ceiling, celebrity guests and a beautiful bride.

Proud mom Folorunso Alakija, who hails from Nigeria and is one of the world’s richest women of African ancestry, went all out for her son Folarin’s fairytale wedding last weekend.

Britain’s Independent newspaper reported that the bash at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire cost £5-million (about R80million).

Singer Robin Thicke entertained celebrity guests including Victoria’s Secret model Shanina Shaik.

The floor of the palace, which is the ancestral home of Sir Winston Churchill, was engraved with the couple’s initials.

The breathtaking flowers were the work of celebrity florist Jeff Leatham, who is known for his elaborate decorating of the Kardashians’ homes and has worked with Madonna, Oprah Winfrey and Tina Turner.

He was also the man behind the flowers at Eva Longoria and Tony Parker’s wedding. He adorned every inch of the venue with roses and white orchids.

Folarin, an entrepreneur, investor and cinematographer, is the heir to a $2.1-billion (about R25-billion) fortune — his 66-yearold oil billionaire mother is ranked by Forbes this year as the 14th-richest person in Africa. Forbes ranks Isabel dos Santos of Angola as the richest woman in Africa, worth $3.2-billion.

Folarin tied the knot with 28year-old Iranian model Nazanin Jafarian Ghaissarifar, who grew up in the UK and previously dated reality-TV star Rob Kardashian. PALATIAL PARTY: Folarin Alakija and his bride Nazanin Jafarian Ghaissarifar at Blenheim Palace

Folarin’s first wife reportedly died of cancer six years ago.

The couple got engaged in Greece and had an equally lavish traditional Nigerian wedding at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos last November.

Folorunso started her career as a secretary and studied fashion in London before returning to Nigeria to launch her label Supreme Stitches.

But her biggest break came when she founded her company, Famfa Oil.

The couple got engaged in Greece and had an equally lavish traditional Nigerian wedding