By Diana-Okon Effiong
Nigerians have been told to continue to love one another, encourage family cohesion and sustenance of the marriage institution for the development of positive social values among young people.Gov Liyel Imoke of Cross River gave the advice Sunday in Calabar at the solemnisation of the holy matrimony between Dr Geraldine Edim and Engr Orok Okokon Ita.
He said that that marriage was a veritable institution for nurturing young peoples’ attributes of patience, level-headedness and leadership with love as necessary bedrock for its sustainability.
The governor also advised those yet to embrace the institution of marriage to continue to propagate love in expectation of love wherever they are because such values build society and encourage development.
Represented at the occasion by Mr Mike Aniah, the Secretary to the State Government, Imoke also urged the couple to appreciate the marriage institution.
He also appealed to Nigerians to love one another, adding that Jesus Christ demonstrated similar love for humanity when he died on the Cross forv mankind.
Imoke restated that marriage was a sacrifice if couples must make it work and prayed to God to grant marital bliss to those who desire the dine institution of marriage.
“The man of God, the priest summarised the message. The message is love. And love is the message and I adopt what he said.
“There is a saying that if you want to go far, you walk together. If you want to go faster you walk alone. You can go faster and not go far enough, so I am wishing that they walk together so that they can go far enough.
In his homily at the wedding, Apostle Sam Okpe, General Overseer, Fresh Oil Ministry, USA, charged the couple to expect and surmount challenges in their union.
According to the priest love remains a sacrifice that people should endure to make marriage work.
“Love is sacrifice and you need sacrifice to make it work. Jesus loved us and sacrificed for us by dying on the Cross. He also encouraged the marriage institution for those who desire it.
A former National Assembly member Rep. Patrick Ene Okon urged the couple to love themselves till death.
“I want to wish them everlasting love. What I mean is they should love themselves till death,’’ Okon said.
The bridegroom said: “ It is a very wonderful day. I am so excited. I feel fulfilled at the choice of having her as a wife. God has answered my prayer.
The wife also said:“ I feel so happy; so blessed; I feel like one in a million for having such a friend, a brother as a husband; he is gentle man; God fearing and caring. I intend to make him very, very happy.
The Chairperson of the occasion Mrs Christy Atako also said: “I wish them a happy marriage life and all that they wish themselves. He is a wonderful manager of people and I believe he manage his home well.
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