The wedding ceremony between Mr. Ikenna Macferdinand Onuegbu, son of Eze Sir, Ferdinand Ikenna Onuegbu and Lolo Uche Onuegbu (Ebubedike of Igbo land, Ezedioramma III, Eze Ndi Igbo of Ojo Local Government Lagos and his heartthrob, Ifunanya Maryan Ekwulor, daughter of Mayor Christopher Ejike Ekwalor both from Anambra state, took place at St. Andrew Catholic Church, Ilemba on the 30th of September, 2023.
The colourful ceremony attracted family members and friends of both families who came from far and near to grace the occasion.
The officiating Priest Rev. Fr. John Cross Nkanta, declared the day as a day of joy and celebration, the day Ifunanya Maryan and Ikenna Macferdinand were joined together as wife and husband and charged that no man should “separate what God has joined. We prepare them for journey ahead.”
He emphasized the need for the young couple to love each other, adding that love is a two way journey.
The priest advised Ikenna to expect that Ifuanyan would disappoint him one day, and that it is that act that would be a test of their marriage.
He said, “She might go to the nearest market in Ajangbadi and not find what she wanted and forget to inform you of her next move to another market, don’t pick offence, listen to her explanation first. Anger should not come to your mind.
“When you listen to her, discuss with her that next time, when you want to change location tell me. So, I will know your where about. Next time, she will not make same mistake. Don’t take minor issues to her parents or your parents to avoid escalation of issues.
“Both of you should not let social media be your counselors, let your complain be to your parents and hers when both of you cannot reach a compromise. Both of you must learn how to pray as if your lives depend on prayers.
“Read your Bible, the more you read your Bible the more you grow and come to God. I encourage you both, today is a day of prayer. Both of you should tell God to take absolute control, when God possess your home, your marriage will succeed. It is in marriage that we enjoy presence of forgiveness, there must be offence but tolerance follows. Build your career and have time to rest. Both of you should have time for sex to re-create. Divide your time 60 percent for work, 40 percent for marriage. Marriage is a serious business; create time for your family.
“Your marriage is a unique marriage, it cannot be like others. Moment of challenge, success are in marriage. No matter the challenge, build your home together.
“Maryan, don’t listen to gossips, advice must be best when it is on the growth and development of your family. Don’t let your marriage to be social media marriage.”
Ikenna who spoke on behalf of the wife on what attracted them to each other and where they met disclosed that they met in China in a city called Ningbo where they both attended their university education.
On the point of attraction, he said, “First it was the communication and secondly we both came from the same country, and the same state, Anambra and above all, we both found ourselves as partners that needed to come together to achieve a goal.
“It will take the Grace of God to achieve that which one wishes and I believe with God by our side and in the marriage, we can do without divorce and also being faithful to each other and constant communication will be our key.”
In a chat with the parents of the bridegroom, they expressed gratitude to God for making it possible for them to witness the day and wished them all the good things of life that comes with marriage.
Speaking to The Unique Model magazine, Eze Sir, Ferdinand Ikenna Unuegbu, who can be described as a man of the people, especially for his philanthropic gestures, introduction of Block Rosary to St. Andrew and the various contributions to the development of the Catholic Church, described the day as a special day in his life.
His words, “I feel very…very happy! Very happy indeed, it’s a pleasure and I thank God for keeping me alive to witness this wedding, I am very happy, seeing my son wedding today thank you.
“I am looking forward that things will be moving very good for them, very smoothly, as far as they are in God’s hand, they will succeed in life in Jesus Christ name. They will make happy home, God will bless them with male and female children, and children that will be of benefits to them. And to the whole nation, it will be so in Jesus Christ name.
Asked for his advice to the young couple, Eze Onuegbu urged them to keep it on.
His word, “Thank you, it’s a good thing to give them advise but both my son and his wife, they are all highly experienced, I will just simply ask them to keep it on, they have stayed for a long time, and without problem and people have been emulating their relationship, I will simply ask them to keep it on, if they have been fighting, quarreling or have been having differences here and there, I will see place to advise them, but this time I don’t see any place to advise them. I will simply ask them to keep it on.
“All the people that are here, I wish them whatever they wish themselves, those ones that are here that are married but have not seen money to do wedding, after this wedding, God will bless them, front and back and they will see money to do their wedding in Jesus Christ name.
“Those that are here, married God has not blessed them with children, after this wedding God will bless them with both male and female children in Jesus Christ name. This wedding will be a very open door to so many that are here.
“Those that have participated, those that are on their way to this place, the wedding will open ways for them in their family, business and otherwise. Those working promotion will be theirs in Jesus name.
On her part, the mother of the groom, Lolo Uche Onuegbu, said, “Yes o! , I am in good mood, I thank God for the bright weather, I thank God for successful wedding, most important one is this one they did in the church, I thank God for the people that came from far away. We didn’t hear any sad story, I thank God for all his love and mercy towards my family, I cannot stop thanking him, He is too much, He is a good God, He is awesome God. I bless my God, He has answered my prayers today.
“What I ask God upon them is they will live good life, they need God’s wisdom, protection, strength, all their heart desires will come to pass in Jesus Christ name. And I ask God to bless them with fruit of the womb, and all their handwork will be blessed, more love to themselves, I don’t want any loopholes in their marriage, I want a successful marriage for them, all these I asked through Christ our Lord. Amen.”
Also speaking, the bride’s father, Mayor Christopher Ekwalor, expressed gratitude to God for the wedding and wished them God’s abundant blessings.
His words, “Well, I am very happy that my daughter is wedding and I thank God for everything, and I pray that God will continue to bless them, guide them, give them that sense of judgment at any given time so that if there is any problem they will settle it, between themselves.
“I pray that God in his infinite mercy will bless them with fruit of the womb, and will give birth to boys and girls, and pray that what they will use to train them, they will need, that God will provide it for them, and I pray also for long life, good health for both of them. So that they will be able to live long to train their children and their children will also take care of them at old age, that is my prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.
“I am happy looking around people from far and near gathered to witness and celebrate with us. I pray that God will guide them, give them journey mercies as they go back, and bless them in everything they are doing so that they will have everything that they desire through Christ our Lord.”
The mother of the bride, Mrs. Amaka Ekwalor could not hide her joy.
She said, “I am Amaka Ekwalor, the mother of the bride, so I am happy today that I am giving my daughter out in marriage, it is a thing of joy that every mother or parents look forward to. So, I am happy that it is happening this day.
“I wish them a bond filled with joy, love and laughter that the almighty God will bless them with good children and also pray that the almighty God will bless their handiwork so that it will be a success, good health, long life and prosperity that they should have the ability to work together as a team, that is the husband and the wife to a good comfortable home, Christian home that will be worthy of emulation.
“My advice to them is that the love that spurred them in the first place to become husband and wife is a great thing, so whenever there are issues between them which is normal between two living things, even animals fight, human being fight, the most important thing is to what extent does it last? I advise them that once there is a misunderstanding that they should quickly reconcile within themselves, let them recall the love that bind them together initially, they should not complain to me, they should not complain to any other person but let them resolve it within themselves because, it’s only them that can truly resolve it, without having it escalated.”
Done with wedding formalities at the church, the couple and the guests moved to a well decorated hall for reception.
The chairman of the occasion, Nze Umezinwa Uche Okafor welcomed the guests and admonished the young couple to be tolerant, patient and continue to love each other.
Speaking to The Unique Model about the young couple, Nze Okafor, said, “the bride and the groom are two special people; young man and young woman to me especially the groom who is my cousin, he is a very enterprising young man and a fantastic fellow.
“I’m so happy today that finally he has come to formalize his relationship with his heartthrob, the love of his life, Ifunanya. I wish them all the happiness, the love and all the good things of life that marriage brings, success and children, as many as they can train and bring up in a good way.
“As a married couple, I want them to be patient, love and understanding, let them know that they did not come from the same background, they did not have the same upbringing and that they are two different individuals who met each other along the way on their journey of life and they have come together. So, they should be tolerant, and understand each other and of course, they should not listen to any third party advice so as not to affect their union.
“Everybody who made out time to grace this occasion, we are grateful to them and we pray that the good lord who led us to this place will lead us safely back home to meet our loved ones.”
The highlight of the occasion was cutting the wedding cake by the couple which they fed each other to the admiration of guests who cheered them. The couple then took to the dancing floor to show their dancing skills.
Guests were well served as there was enough food and drinks.