Miss Rwanda 2020 has acknowledged the love her husband Michael Tesfay never ceased to show her ever since they met, and the role he played in shaping her into the woman he married. It was all fun and joyful when Nishimwe and the Ethiopian technpreneur tied the knot in a glamorous wedding ceremony on Sunday, December 29,2024. The celebrity couple confessed their love before their Rwanda and Ethiopian-Eritrean families in a religious wedding ceremony held at Women Foundation Ministries, Kimihurura. They were wedded by church founder Apostle Mignone Kabera. Their religious wedding was preceded by introduction ceremony held at Intare Conference Arena, Rusororo. The same venue also hosted the newlyweds’ reception. The wedding day was both emotional and spiritual to the couple as well as their guests. When the couple exchanged vows to each other with so much emotion, their loved ones were also sobbing in their seats, proud of the beautiful union of the two. In her vows, Naomie confessed that Michael was the husband she prayed for. “From the first moment I met you, I felt your love till now it hasn’t changed. You have shaped me into a woman I am today: stronger, beautiful and confident, just because of your love and support...,” the beauty queen said in her vows. Tesfay also expressed how his life changed in the most beautiful way the first time they met. “You have been my partner in faith and my greatest supporter and the love I never dreamed I deserved. Your grace, kindness and unwavering belief in us have shown me the true meaning of commitment...,” he said. After exchanging wedding rings, the couple received blessings from the apostle and parents for the new journey they have just begun. During the reception Tesfay and Naomie made quite an entrance, dressed in an Ethiopian cultural attire. Making their way to the podium, they were welcomed by Ethiopian music which they danced to along with their families. Choreographer Sherrie Silver, who is also a close friend to Naomie, surprised the newlyweds with a performance of the kids from the Sherrie Silver foundation. The reception was mainly about dancing to Ethiopian music on both sides, followed by speeches from family members and friends of the couple. Almost all the speeches talked about how the two have a strong connection and perfect love for each other. Michael to time to thank his parents, Naomie’s parents who have believed in him and promised to always honor his wife. He also thanked his friends who have come from different parts of the world, especially Canada, to support him and his wife Naomie. Tesfay and Naomie were first reported to be dating in early 2022 before making their relationship public via their social media a few months later, sharing photos of them together with captions of romance. Born in Toronto, Canada, to Eritrean parents, Naomi’s fiancé moved to kigali in 2021 after completing his studies and joined the Rotary Club of Kigali Virunga where he actively plays his part in the club’s initiatives. He is currently working closely with the Ministry of Health to set up a Tele-mental health line for Rwandans. Naomie is the fourth beauty queen to get married since 2009, after Grace Bahati, Aurore Mutesi Kayibanda and Elsa Iradukunda who tied the knot with former Miss Rwanda organiser Dieudonné Ishimwe, widely known as Prince Kid. Her wedding attracted a host of celebrities including Miss Rwanda 2018 Liliane Iradukunda, Miss Rwanda 2016 Jolly Mutesi, Miss Rwanda 2023 Divine Nshuti Muheto, who was also Naomie’s bridesmaid. Also in attendance were renowned creative entrepreneur Gael Karomba, also known as Coach Gael, Afro Nation founder Smade, choreographer Sherrie Silver as well as basketball players Adonis Filer and Axel Mpoyo among many others.
