By Chimezie Ibedu
Joy bells rang merrily for the family of Catechist Charles Nwuba of Okpuno town as one of their twin daughters Mary tied the nuptial knots with her heartthrob, Godwin Okoye of Enugwu-Ukwu on Saturday, March 14, 2020 at St Gabriel’s Catholic Church Okpuno. In the presence of a huge gathering of priests; religious women; current and former students of the National Open University of Nigeria, Abagana study centre; family members; friends and associates; members of the Legion of Mary, Block Rosary Crusade and Mary League and numerous other guests, Godwin vowed to take and hold on to Mary as his lawfully wedded wife for the rest of his life. The bride happily responded with a similar vow, setting the stage for a life time of commitment and companionship in line with the words of the homilist at the wedding Mass, Fr Paschal Nnajiofor of Tansi International College, Awka.
Describing marriage as the only institution which awards certificates to candidates at the point of admission rather than at graduation, urged the bride and groom to carefully discover the keys to understanding each other so as to enjoy a happy union.
Roll call of priests at the wedding includes Frs Michael-kins Okpala and Anthony Nwafor, both former pastors of Okpuno parish; Fr Prof John Oraemesi; Fr Emmanuel Ofomata, the current pastor of Okpuno and his vicar, Fr Ambrose Arinze; as well as Fr Maximus Muojeke of the Retreat and Pastoral Centre, Okpuno. Also present were some seminarians and sisters of the congregation of the Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy (DMMM) which one of them, Sister Onukwube is the elder sister of the bride.
Celebrations and merriments shifted to the bride’s maiden home in Umuodu village, Okpuno for the wedding reception and Igba-Nkwu. Tasteful decorations, elegant western and native attires, sumptuous dishes, assorted drinks, nonstop music, numerous presents and souvenirs are but a few expressions to describe the wedding ceremony.
The groom, Mr Godwin Okoye ran short of words in appreciating especially God, their both parents who prepared them and supported their union and their numerous guests for honoring their invitation. For Catechist Charles Nwuba and wife, parents of the first indigenous reverend sister of Okpuno, giving out another daughter in marriage was indeed an occasion of joy, fulfillment and gratitude.
