President Goodluck Jonathan for the second consecutive Saturday running, took time off his busy schedule to give out his daughter’s hand – Faith Osakwe – in Christian marriage to her husband, Prince Godswill Edward at the National Ecumenical Centre, Abuja.
Penultimate weekend, the president was in his hometown of Otuoke, Bayelsa State, for the traditional wedding ceremony of Faith and Godswill.
In a fatherly advice to the newlyweds at the reception in their honour at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, President Jonathan told the couple to try as much as possible to resolve every matrimonial problem that might arise in the course of time, stressing that outsiders, including parents, should not be involved in the settlement of marital disputes.
He added that parents and their children belong to different generations hence their advices might not be the best because the parents’ belong to what he called ‘analogue’ generation while the children are in the ‘digital’ age.
He said of his mood prior to the church wedding: “A day you are giving out your daughter out in marriage is a day of glorious sadness. My advice is that, today is a very special day: we are all smiling and dancing but also note that there will be periods when the relationship will not work smoothly. That is a part of the life of husband and wife.
“There is no couple that will not have some moments when their faces will not be too bright, but it depends on how you reach out ……. and really find time to understand themselves. And we pray that you have a really happy married life and we will continue to pray for you as your parents”.
Continuing, he said: “Our duties as parents is to continue to pray for you, to encourage you and if there are some issues you feel we can solve, you can tell us. But don’t depend on your parents to solve your matrimonial problems. If you have disagreement with your husband…., don’t always run to parents or get advice of your mother or father. Sometimes, they will not give you the best advice. Because your parents are analogue people while you are digital generation”.
Chairman of the occasion and former military head of state, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd) in his advice to the couple said marriage is all about give and take.
“No matter the problem that may come your way, never allow the day to pass without resolving the problem through prayers and love”, he said.
“It is only you that can make it a success. Look at your parents and emulate them”, the former military ruler added.
The latest couple, who were ferried from the church to the reception venue on a beautifully decorated horse-drawn carriage, cut the cake under the supervision of the wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Helen Mark.
Dignitaries that graced the wedding reception yesterday were the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Mr. Femi Otedola, Chairman of PDP Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Anyim Pius Anyim.
Governors at the reception included Jonah Jang (Plateau), Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta) Theordor Orji (Abia), Gabriel Suswam (Benue), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Ibrahim Shema (Katsina) Liyel Imoke (Cross Rivers).
Guests were entertained to beautiful music by Iyanya, D’Banj and other artistes.
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