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Tag: joy

  • ‘God has restored my joy as a woman’

    ‘God has restored my joy as a woman’

    Married on November 28, 2007, Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Chukwuemeka Iruke lived happily. The only worry was that six years after the wedding they were without a child. The birth of their baby girl has ended the pain, prompting celebration with friends and well-wishers at Saint Thomas Anglican Church Avonipupe, Ubakala, Umuahia South Local Government Area, Abia State. In this interview with SUNNY NWANKWO, the couple relived their experience. Excerpts:

    Mrs. Iruke, what was your experience being childless after many years of marriage?

    As a woman, it wasn’t funny. Every blessed day, you kept on asking God whether you were really a woman. At times, one would cry, at times, you would go into prayers. At times you visited prayer houses seeking where God would answer you. It wasn’t easy, but thank God that at last, He has not only put a smile on my face, but has restored my joy as a woman.

    Sometimes, you would hear people asking if she is sure she is a woman. Why doesn’t the husband remarry? What is she even doing there? She should be abandoned. At times you’d greet people outside and they would pretend not to hear you It was a bitter experience.

    How were you able to handle the pressure from in-laws and other relatives?

    When my father and mother in-law were alive, their attitude was that God determines all things and that one day, God will do it. Where I got pressure was on the part of my sisters-in-law. But now they are all giving thanks to almighty God. It was not easy then. Thank God that everything has come and gone and today, we are all happy.

    Did you at any time doubt yourself?

    At a time people suggested I should visit doctors and hear from them. I took a step like that and was told to come with my husband. We went and after several tests and scans, the result was positive. The doctors said that was no problem.

    Did you consider quitting your marriage as a result of the pressure you mentioned?

    I thought of that, but I never did it. I didn’t do it because I depended on God. I recall that while I was trying to marry, there were three suitors that came. I asked them to wait because I had to pray before marrying. At the end, God told me that the man I am marrying was my husband.  So, in everything, I always reminded God that He gave me the man I married.

    Did you seek alternative solutions?

    No, God forbid! I didn’t try that. It was just a particular prayer house (Assemblies of God Church) that I normally visited.

    How supportive was your husband when the baby wasn’t forthcoming?

    He had no problems. He is a man to marry any time, any day. There was never a problem.

    But I want to thank my mother and parents in-law for their supports. They are all dead, but I will forever remain grateful for what God used them to do in my life. They were wonderful and tried on their own part as mothers and father.

    Some of the things I learnt from them is being patient and content with what I have and to share things with those around me.

    Why did you choose the names you named her?

    In fact, when I put to bed and saw that it was a baby girl, I said, really this is a gift from God because all those years, nobody has ever said, okay, take this let me compensate or console you with this but the ultimate God did it and that took after the names; Onyinyechi and Treasure Chukwuemeka because she is treasure from God that I can’t even buy with money.

    Do you have any advice for other childless couples?

    God is always the ultimate. Let them believe in God and remain prayerful because sometimes, some of these things can just be challenges of life which, if you show God that you know Him, God at a time could say, “I was only trying to pull your legs.”

    They should go to hospital and back it up with prayers. They should also imbibe the spirit of almsgiving.

    Mr. Iruke, what was your experience in those trying years?

    Well, in the first place, I am Christian and you know that the Bible teaches every believer to be patient and that aspect of teaching is what by nature that I imbibed so much. I decided to remain with her because on the altar, on the day of our wedding, I promised to live with her for better or for worst.

    Where you under pressure at this time?

    So much, the pressure was at a time becoming overwhelming but I was patient, as my parents, precisely, my father, taught me. I imbibed and inculcated it and then also considering the fact that there are some other people out there who had similar experiences and God answered their prayers. So, that encouraged me.

    How were you able to manage this pressure?

    I knew it wasn’t necessary to look for an alternative. I had made up my mind because I knew that things had not gone to the worst. I believed God and that with Him, all things are possible and I knew that nobody should count my wife out from conceiving a baby because she wasn’t that old.

    Did you consider remarrying?

    I didn’t because I know women’s reproductive system and I can tell you that my wife is not infertile. We consulted experts in the field and the results we got were all positive and with that, one wasn’t that perturbed.

    Did you seek spiritual help?

    There was an academic colleague at school who at a time heard that we were still waiting for the fruit of the womb; he gave me his own experience that was spiritual, but I didn’t do anything about that. He asked that I consult him so that we begin a process of praying and fasting to torpedo the devices of the wicked.

    How did you feel when the bundle of joy finally came?

    Excited, of course, giving glory to God. The business is between me and God. I have been showing God gratitude by His very grace. I feel elated, happy, giving testimonies to people when they ask me and always returning glory to God for His mercies.

  • Freshers’ moment of joy

    Freshers’ moment of joy

    It was all fun when the Kogi State University (KSU) admitted freshers, reports MOHAMMED YABAGI (200-Level Mass Communication).

    Matriculation is an all-academic affair but at the Kogi State University (KSU) in Ayingba, the ceremony was held on an unusual day – a Saturday – when academic activities are low. But the school came alive as freshers thronged the campus to take the matriculation oath, which authenticates students’ admission.

    The institution’s auditorium – the venue – throbbed with activities; the freshers clad in green and orange academic gown sat in the auditorium. Their parents and guardians took vantage positions to watch the proceedings.

    About 4,283 students of the 13,076 applicants that chose the university were offered admission. The ceremony started when the body of principal officers led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Hassan Isah, entered the auditorium.

    Prof Isah urged the students to shun vices that could go against the oath they were about to take, saying that such acts were capable of painting the institution in bad light.

    He charged them to imbibe moral and academic discipline, saying they must resist pressure from toeing destructive line of cultism, which, he said, would not only ruin their academic pursuit but also destroy their future.

    The VC stated that the process that produced the freshers was thorough and transparent, adding: “You are offered admission on the strength of your hard work, resilience and determination to excel.”

    Thunderous applause greeted Prof Isah’s announcement that the institution successfully admitted its second set of students into its medical school, which was established three years ago.

    He said: “To make the medical programme stand a test of time, the state government has embarked on building infrastructure to ensure that our students are not stagnated at the end of their pre-clinical programme.”

    The Registrar administered the oath on the students. Though the event was short, but the attending celebration and glitz that followed went into the night as the freshers threw “welcome party” to mark the day.

    Parents and guardians, who spoke with CAMPUSLIFE, expressed joy for witnessing the admission of their wards.

    Dr Isaac Abdulkareem, a parent, said he was grateful to God for seeing his twins admitted into higher institution. “My advice to my children and other students is to reject any friends that introduce them to any form of vices,” he said.

    The dean of Faculty of Management Sciences, Prof Bassey Nwankwo, urged the students to start their academic journey with hard work and dedication, noting that anyone who desired a good grade must give his studies priority.

    Theresa Audu, 100-Level Medicine, described her placement as glory of God. She said she would work hard and deploy diligence to finish with a good grade as she hoped that the university’s Teaching Hospital would be upgraded to meet the world standard.

    Another fresher, Daniel Ogbadu, said: “I cannot really express how I feel at the moment, having surmounted the hurdles admission. So, I just want to thank God for this privilege.”

    For Aisha Mohammed admitted into Geography and Planning Department, First Class grade is the watchword. “I am determined to work hard and graduate on top of my class,” she said.

    Highpoint was the entertainment of the freshers and their parents after the oath session by various ethnic groups and students’ associations.

     

  • ‘Oh, my joy is gone’

    ‘Oh, my joy is gone’

    Sympathisers found it hectic bringing the emotions of the 25-year-old woman under control yesterday. She wept like a baby over the death of her husband in yet inscrutable circumstances.

    “God, my joy is gone!” Mrs. Happiness Okpok, mother of four, exclaimed as a thick crowd of sympathisers struggled to pacify her at the family’s Anuoluwapo Street, Ifako-Gbagada, Lagos home.

    “I beg the state Commissioner of Police (Mr Umar Manko) to help unravel the sudden death of my husband.  His death is strange,” she pleaded.

    Narrating her ordeal to The Nation, she said her 47-year-old husband, Mr Sunday Okpok, who had for five years, driven his boss, Mr Oludare Senbore, left home as usual about 6 am on June 23, to resume work at Senbore’s 12B, Omoyele Pratt Street, off Oladunni Street, Ferrand Estate, Ifako-Gbagada home.

    Happiness recalled that when she called to check on her husband about 7pm that day, his phone was switched off, only to receive Senbore’s call after 10 pm, asking her to come and see him at Barracks bus stop, Ifako that night.

    She said: “I rushed there with a neighbour. On getting there, Mr Senbore and his wife alighted from their car. After they finished discussing in Yoruba language, he handed my husband’s phone and wallet to over to me. He told me that Sunday was involved in an accident and that he was taken to the General Hospital, Broad Street in Lagos. He asked me to go and see him in the morning.

    “I got there only to see my husband with a mask over his face. He could not talk or open his eyes; he could neither move nor hear anything. I was directed to buy some prescribed drugs and I did. I also paid for an x-ray. As it was my husband’s turn for the x-ray, I went to inform the medical personnel to bring him. That was when the doctor informed me that my husband had died. I saw my husband’s dead body with his tongue out of his mouth.”

    “Mr Senbore was called. He came and saw the corpse. He paid the mortuary bills for one week and told me to go and arrange with the church for his urgent burial, explaining that there was no need to keep the corpse for long,” Happiness said.

    She said that she was shocked when she visited the Lion Building Police Headquarters in Lagos, only to be told that there was no case of accident reported there.

    Documents on the deceased issued by Dr Salau T.M at the General Hospital, Lagos, on June 24, stated that the late Okpok suffered head injury, following which he died at 12.20 pm that day.

    To release the corpse, the mortuary managers demanded police extract, affidavit and Police Release Form among others.

    She said she did not know how to get the documents, adding that Senbore “is not helping.” She  suspects that her husband was murdered but arranged to look like an accident. “Why did he not report to the police if it was an accident?” She asked.

    The young widow said her husband left four children with her – two boys and two girls. She said she has no job and no business as she is still nursing the last baby and does not know where to  raise the mortuary bills which is N700 per day.

    “How do I raise money to transport the corpse to Etinan Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State, our home town, for burial? How do I raise the children? My husband was owed three months salary before he died”, she added.

    When contacted, Mr Senbore said his deceased was involved in a tricycle accident on his way to his office, adding that he was not driving him at that time but was riding on a tricycle.

    “I only got to know about it after the accident. He was taken to the hospital where I paid for his treatment, but unfortunately, he died the following day,” he told The Nation, maintaining that he knew nothing about Sunday’s death.

    He also said he did not know who took Sunday to the hospital.

  • Freshers’ moment of joy

    Freshers’ moment of joy

    The Anambra State Students Association (ASSA), University of Nigeria, Nsukka chapter, has held orientation for new members. The ceremony which took place at Social Science Quadrangle was witnessed by a large turnout of students.

    Guests at the ceremony included former Dean of Social Sciences, Prof Ezeani, former Head of Department of Metallurgical Engineering, Prof D.O.N. Obikwelu, among others.

    President of the association, Nnaekezie Ekene, said he believed the freshers were the future leaders that would take Nigeria to greater heights. He advised the students to take their academics seriously.

    A guest lecturer, Prof D. O. N Obikwelu, encouraged the freshers to make good use of their time on campus and make rewarding friendship with people who are determined to change the world through new ideas and positive thinking.

    Prof Ezeani urged the freshers not to be carried away with the distractions of campus life, saying: “if you study hard and become somebody to be reckoned with, your family and society will benefit.”

    The event witnessed talk shows, dancing competition and other forms of entertainment.

    Onyedika Nwankwo, 300-Level Geography, said: “This event is for the freshers to know themselves very well and to learn from the older students about the norms of university life.”

     

  • The joy of roasted fish

    The joy of roasted fish

    The delicacy of roasted fish is turning erstwhile jobless people into employers of labour in Lokoja, Kogi State capital. Muhammad Bashir writes

    It is the confluence capital, where Nigeria was said to have been named. But Lokoja, capital city of Kogi State, is also the ancient town where fresh fish is harvested in considerable quantity. In fact, the city’s aquatic riches are providing jobs for countless numbers of residents. Some of these people have been doing several creative things with fish, one of which is roasting it and selling to connoisseurs. You could say fish is not just generating jobs, but huge cash.

    To the people of Lokoja, fish used to be a mere staple on the family table. But since the creation of Kogi State, fish has become one of the most expensive items on the residents’ menu, only affordable by moneybags, especially during the dry season.

    Before the advent of commercial fish ponds, popular hotel operators in Abuja always enjoyed coming down to Lokoja to buy their fish no matter the cost. Travellers going from Lokoja to the east, south and north stop by and purchase fish, thereby making it too  exorbitant for the common people in the area.

    Research has shown that fish business especially the roasted type, known as point-and-kill has become one of the fastest growing businesses in the capital city. Graduates and undergraduates have since turned the business into a means of livelihood.

    Research has also shown that over 25 per cent of unemployed graduates are into the business, while over 30 per cent sponsor their education with proceeds from it.

    Many locations in Lokoja, particularly pubs have point-and-kill beside due to customers demand who now believe that consumption of alcohol is nothing if not accompanied by fish not only because of its protein but also because of it peppery taste. Many have since taken to eating roasted fish rather than the usual pepper soup and other spiced offerings.

    Hardly can you find a table at a bar where there is no tray of roasted fish. Families move their entire households in the evening to nearby outlets just to have a taste of this delicacy. On a lighter mood, most ladies place much demand on point and kill fish in order to top off theuir evenings. Some men have formed the habit of buying roasted fish to make peace or solidify their relationships with their women instead of the usual flowers.

    Some of the roasted fish sellers who spoke with The Nation, appreciated the level of patronage they enjoy every evening.

    Madam Esther John at the NUJ press centre in Lokoja said she has been in the fish-selling business for four years. She said the business has not always been rosy because of the high cost of fish.

    Esther said that she went into the business since she was sacked out the state civil service, following the last workers verification exercise conducted by former administration of Alhaji Ibrahim Idris. The screening report led to the sacking of so many workers.

    She said what takes up most of her profit is the daily purchase of ingredients to spice the fish.

    “The money I use in buying fresh and dry pepper, onion, maggi, vegetables cost me a lot; at times I don’t go home with much profit as expect.

    Can she go into another business?

    Esther said: “Which other business do you expect me to go into.  I am already used to this one, and it is not as if I am not making any profit; it is not much, but I am managing.”

    This was not in the case of Mr. Augustine Emmanuel who expressed happiness with the roasted fish business.

    Emmanuel who has his business empire opposite Museum in Lokoja and have three people working for him, said he has been enjoying the business for the past three years. He said the business has been very profitable due to the high demand by customers.

    “This business has been helping me in solving almost all my needs. I never go hungry since I ventured into it. I use this business to help my self and my relations. In fact I am currently sponsoring some of my younger ones in the school.

    He said he has never sold less than fifteen fishes, I sell up to 30 to 50 especially when there is high demand.

    The affordability of these proteinous delicacies is another serious issue to be handle, particular to those who survive with a very lean resources. The least cost of these are ranging from N1000 and above.

    Some people have lauded the fact that buying roasted fish to consume in one instance, shouldn’t be priority, and it is rather waste of money especially in the midst of financial hardship in the country.

    Mr John Musa, argued that, fish of N1500 is enough to eat with his family for two or three day.

    “How can I take N1500 to buy just one fish that may not even be enough fro me alone to eat; that is a waste of resources. I’d rather use the money to buy more than one fish directly from the market and eat with my family to satisfaction. I forbid buying point-and-kill fish.”

    One other issue that raised much heated argument is the potency between fish pond and that of river. Divergent opinion have it that the pond fish taste satisfactory and hygienic, because it clinical breeding, while some believe that river fish is more tasty and proteinous because it was naturally breeded.

    But Mr. Augustine settled the confusion. He said some customer prefers pond fish fish the more because it is a bit lower in price than the river fish.

    He said he placed river fish on the fire based on demand by a customer.

    There is every need for the government to give much emphasis on this venture. It will go along way in taking restive youths out of the streets. And, even more than that, they can also become employers of labour.

  • Joy as council chief inaugurates projects

    Residents of Ifelodun Local Council Development Area of Lagos State penultimate Saturday received a fresh breath of air when the chairman of the council area, Hon. Fatai Ajidagba inaugurated 10 newly-built roads and block of classrooms among other projects.

    The event was witnessed by chieftains of All Progressives Congress (APC) including its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Muhammed, former Lagos State Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Muiz Banire, Deputy Speaker Lagos House of Assembly, Hon. Kolawole Taiwo and Ojora of Ijora, Oba Fatai Aromire.

    Speaking during the occasion, Hon. Ajidagba said that his administration had touched the lives of residents in all spheres of life. “We have brought governance closer to our people and this is most evident in what we are celebrating today with the commissioning of people-oriented projects. Our administration has impacted tremendously in all spheres of social and infrastructural development such as security, health, environment, education and commerce. Patrol vehicles and special duty trucks for surveillance have been given to law enforcement agencies to aid their operations. Besides, our council area has witnessed massive development of roads since our assumption of office. Some of the roads that we are commissioning today include Odofin, Michael Ebahor, Rasaki, Animashaun, Apollo, Oyedeji, Akinsipe, Abikoye, Aiyepe, all of which were constructed with drainages and sidewalks in line with the Lagos State government specification on road construction.

    “Among others, our health sector is fast developing at good pace; this is a result of our commitment to uplift the sector to an enviable height. We have rehabilitated and equipped primary health centres at Oridilu, Amukoko and Layeni, while we shall continue to provide the necessary working tools and enabling environment for our personnel to ensure quality service delivery.”

    In his words, Oba Aromire said: “Hon. Ajidagba has not disappointed the people of this council area since his emergence as council chairman. I have reasons to testify to his good works because I have personally inspected the projects without him knowing and I am quite satisfied with what I saw. His zeal and dedication to work in order to uplift the lives of the people is quite commendable.”

    Commending Hon. Ajidagba for a job-well-done, Alhaji Moham-med said:” Today’s ceremony is a testimony to the fact that our great party, APC have people of impeccable characters who knows what the people want and provide for their needs without being prompted. I want to urge you (Ajidagba) to keep up the good works that you have done, so that the people of this community can have the dividends of democracy in abundance.”

    The event also witnessed distribution of free eye glasses to people with bad sight and poverty alleviation items to artisans and traders. Beneficiaries smiled home with sundry items such as grinding machines, deep freezers, hair dryers, generators, sewing machines among others.

    The climax of the ceremony was the commissioning of a block of 18 classrooms at Sari-Iganmu Primary School, E-Library and skills acquisition centre by Alhaji Mohammed.

     

  • A father’s joy

    Former Benue State Governor George Akume gave out his daughter, Josephine’s hand in marriage to Lt. Alexander Edet from Akwa Ibom State. The Holy Matrimony took place at St. Christopher’s Catholic Parish, Wannune near Makurdi, the Benue State capital, last Saturday, reports UJA EMMANUEL

    Wannune? Where is that, you will be tempted to ask. It is the hometown of former Benue State Governor George Akume and the headquarters of Tarka Local Government Area. The town throbbed with life last Saturday as Akume, now a Senator representing Benue Northwest District, gave out his daughter, Josephine’s hand in marriage to Sub. Lt Alexander Edet from Akwa Ibom State.

    The wedding took place at St. Christopher’s Catholic Parish, on top of a small hill in the village, where Akume’s political associates gathered to share in the couple’s joy.

    The clerics, led by the Bishop of Gboko Catholic Diocese, Bishop William Avernya, were assisted by 34 other priests from Makurdi and Otukpo Catholic Dioceses.

    The wedding, coming five days after New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) governors merged with the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja, served as a platform for the further consummation of the merger.

    When news spread of the presence of the political heavyweights in town, many rushed to Wannune to catch a glimpse of them.

    The wedding shook Makurdi, the Benue State capital, till evening when most of the guests left. Wannune is on the Makurdi-Gboko Federal Highway and it is about 25 minutes drive from the state capital.

    First to arrive in the church was Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, followed by former Vice President Abubakar Atiku.

    Next came the Senate President’s representative Senator Barnabas Gemade; Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi and his Sokoto counterpart Aliyu Wamakko arrived.

    Others were Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal; former Head of State Gen. Muhammadu Buhari; former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff and Senator Nazir Mohammed.

    After Alexander and Josephine become man and wife, they and their parents signed the marriage register.

    The church choir entertained the congregation before the couple was led out in style.

    Some Navy officers formed a long row of crossed swords in honour of the couple. As Alexander and Josephine cat walked under the row, the officers shielded them.

    Photographers took some shots before the train left for the reception at Akume’s Hill Top Summer Villa.

    At the reception, Tambuwal, the special guest of honour, urged the couple to emulate their parents.

    Tambuwal described Senator Akume as a principled politician and a gift from the Tiv Community to the country.

    He said Akume was a credible politician who could be relied upon for greater responsibility.

    Former Kebbi State Governor Senator Adamu Aliero urged the couple to respect each other.

    According to him, the bride’s father has touched the lives of many Nigerians, hence, the large turn out.

    He said Akume had built bridges of understanding across political and cultural divides.

    Also at the event were Senators Ahmed Lawal, Yobe State; Abu Ibrahim (Kastina); Aisha Alhassan (Taraba) and Solomon Ewuga (Nasarawa).

    Former Kogi State Governor Prince Abubakar Audu; Hons Emmanuel Jime; John Dyeg and Chile Igbawua; Chief Judge of Benue State Justice Iorhen Hwande; immediate Past chief Judge Justice Terna Puuse and President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Augustine Utsaha.

    The 10 APC lawmakers in the Benue State House of Assembly were led by Hon Benjamin Adanyi representing Makurdi south.

  • Bundles of joy

    They waited for 25years for a child. When eventually God answered them, He gave them a set of triplets. The joy of oil and gas guru Lawrence Ezeh and his wife, Lina, knew no bound on the arrival of these bundles of joy. They dedicated the babies at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Kings Palace GRA in Port Harcourt. BUKUNMI OGUNDARE writes.

    THEY were praying for one. And for 25 years, their prayer was “God bless us with a child.” When God’s time came, He blessed them with a set of triplets. Last Sunday, family members and friends joined Lawrence Ezeh and his wife, Lina, to dedicate the babies at The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Kings Palace GRA, Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

    The dedication of Prince Emmanuel Ebubechukwu, Princess Christiana Onyekachi and Prince Lawrence Uchechukwu also served as opportunity for their parents to thank God.

    Ezeh, a prince of Mburubu Kingdom, in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, is a politician and oil/gas guru.

    The service was officiated by Pastor Edmond Osahon and Pastor Soji Oni.

    The church service, graced by a mammoth crowd, was followed by a colourful and well attended reception at the Grace Events Place, Evo Road in GRA, Port Harcourt.

    An elated Ezeh said he and his wife were grateful to God for finding them worthy of the children.

    “The triplets are perfect and wonderful gifts from the Lord; they represent an amazing blessing to us, they are lovable, delightful and adorable and I must confess we are enjoying every moment of their existence,” he said.

    He urged parents to always dedicate their children as it is scriptural and an opportunity for parents to publicly commit themselves to the Godly rearing of their child.

    To the proud princess, the joy of motherhood has outweighed the challenges.

    “We are looking forward to seeing them grow into men and a woman who will inspire their generation and dedicate their lives to the cause of God by His grace,” she said.

    At the event were: the paramount ruler of Mburubu kingdom, Igwe E.M.O Ezeh; paramount ruler of Imeoha Nkerefi Enugu Luke Ogbuta; Hon John Anichukwu; President General of Egi Peoples’ Assembly and Chairman of the Rivers State SURE-P programme Chief Oris Onyiri, among other high profile dignitaries.

  • I can’t afford to let this SS2 boy go because he is my joy

    I have a guy in SS2 while I am in SS3; is it right? I love him but I refused to have a strong relationship due to what my schoolmates say. What should I do? I can’t afford to let him go. He is a source of joy to me. I am Glory from Abia state.

    Dear Glory, I feel terrible each time secondary school students claim to be in love. There can’t be any real thing between you and a boy still wearing school uniforms except to experiment with you and other girls like you. It’s normal for young girls like you to have feelings for members of the opposite sex, but it should be cleaned from your mind as come as it comes because it will lead nowhere.

    Don’t even play love games with this boy except you’re ready to be taken to some friends’ place and rushed for sex and quickly pushed out before their parents come back. Any boy still getting pocket money and being flogged occasionally shouldn’t have any business with a girl, so he can’t be your source of joy. Your source of joy should be your education. Be serious with things that can add value to your life.

  • Their day of joy

    Their day of joy

    Life is full of possibilities and everyone has his own time of greatness, only if you persevere and are consistent. For me, I just want to give praise and glory to God.”

    Those were the words of Mr Victor Omelieme, one of the foremost telecommunication mast builders, who turned 50 last Saturday. He not only revelled in the day, his wife of many years also celebrated her 40th birthday with him.

    Love filled the air as the Edo State born couple was celebrated by their friends and family members.

    Dressed as a typical Edo man with a wrapper slung over his left shoulder, the birthday ‘boy’ entered the topmost hall of the Civic Centre with the birthday ‘girl’ beside him.

    The celebration, which began at midday, had an array of Nollywood comedians, artistes and actors in attendance.

    Baba Nothing Spoil held sway as the MC, till other comedians, led by the don of comedy, Julius Agwu arrived. Other comedians were Kolo and G-Paul.

    The Awilo group and Francis Agwu, aka Bobo Shakira did the hip and waist dance that left guests asking for more. DJ Ocean dished many memorable old songs.

    There was never a dull moment.

    Soon after the couple cut their cake, gospel musician, Benita sang her Osemudiamen hit song, to the delight of the guests. She led other guests to their traditional dance and kept them on the dance floor for some time.

    Prince Henry Ojobor, a childhood friend of Omelieme, recalled how they began life in a one room apartment in Okokomaiko axis of Lagos. Thanking God for how far they have come, Ojobor proposed the toast and led five other men to pop a massive sized bottle of Moet.

    Mrs Philomena told The Nation that even in their more than two decades of marriage, she never had reason to fret about the future because she believed in her husband and in God. She was full of praise to the Almighty for the grace bestowed on them.

    To the guests, it was the perfect way to spend the weekend as everyone took to the dance floor till late that night.

    Guests from telecoms companies, MTN and Etisalat, were there in their number to felicitate with them.