UNIZIK’s Okafor takes Onyinye Amakom to altar

IT WAS pomp and pageantry at the Chapel of Redemption, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, last Saturday, as Mr Onyedika Ifeanyi Okafor of the Department of Microbiology, UNIZIK, and former Miss Onyinye Lillian  Amakom of Eziora High School, Nando, Anambra East Local Government Area of the state, marched to the altar to exchange nuptial vows.

  The solemnisation service, presided over by the vicar in charge of the chapel, Ven John Anyachebelu, was indeed a gathering of the academia and community leaders, whom include the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), UNIZIK, Prof Fedrick Odibo; Prof Michael Orji; Prof Cyril Chukwuemeka of Chukwuemeka Odumegu Ojukwu University; a former Deputy Inspector General of Police, Chief Celestine Okoye, among others.

  In a sermon during the service, Ven Geoffrey Ikeanyimuo of Bishop Crowther Seminary, Awka, took a different angle instead of a biblical interpretation of what a marriage formula could be which usually comes up in a day like this, illustratively advising the new couple to be partners in the marital life they just began.

  His word: “Ifeanyi, and Lillian, I won’t take you much to the Bible, because you have had   enough from your vicar; we must be practical now.

  “From the beginning of this service, I hear you call yourself ‘Ifeanyi’, ‘Lillian’… I didn’t hear ‘sweet potato’, ‘sweet orange’; so, let this continue.

  “We’re still in the field… Ifeanyi, if you bring a half tumbler of water, and Lillian brings the same; automatically, the two halves become a full tumbler; but if Lillian brings a full tumbler and pours it into yours that’s full, it’ll overflow.

  “Therefore, divide the kind of life you people lived yesterday as  youths into two; then take one half from each of you, and put them together to have one.

  In this way, you can maintain a family properly”, he said.

 The cleric further condemned wife battering, describing it as a sin against  God.

  In an interview with the press, one of the dignitaries that graced the occasion, Chief J. C. Nwabadolu (Omeliora Aguata), noted that a marriage relationship brings together two persons of unequal classes to live as one, and enjoined the new couple to adjust and have mutual understanding of themselves for their new life to be successful.

  Also, the father of the groom and medical director, Harmony Hospital, Awka, Sir Clifford Okafor, expressed joy and belief that the home training acquired by the groom, with the support of  the bride, will undoubtedly make the new marriage a success. He, therefore, advised them to maintain mutual respect for each other.

  The bride, who was visibly overwhelmed by joy, told the press that her husband is “so special and the best among men”, reiterating her vow to remain submissive, faithful and supportive to him forever.

  In a vote of thanks, the groom appreciated their families, the members of UNIZIK community, their friends and well-wishers, for honouring their invitation despite the current economic difficulty in the country.

  Cutting of wedding cake, nuptial dance, among others, added glamour to the reception ceremony held at the Secretariat of Academic Staff Union of Universities, UNIZIK Chapter.