DSS Former Chieftain, Mike Ejiofor Gives Daughter In Marriage; As Priest Harps On Harmonious Living By Couples

By Frank Oshanugor

“Today is one of my happiest days in life and I feel highly overwhelmed that nine Catholic priests have gathered here for the wedding of my daughter.”

This was the opening statement of a versatile security consultant and former Director, Department of State Services (DSS) Barr. Mike Ejiofor in his vote of thanks last Saturday in Asaba, Delta State at the church wedding of his daughter Engr. Sandra with Dolapo Idris Akinpelu.

The wedding which took place at St. Emmanuel The Savior Catholic Church, GRA Asaba had attracted dignitaries from both the bride and groom’s sides with many of Ejiofor’s colleagues from the DSS and other social groups in attendance.

In his homily, the officiating priest Rev. Fr. Augustine Abude noted that both the First and Second scriptural readings prior to the Gospel reading and the homily “were lovely” emphasizing that while the First Reading talked about creation of woman, the Second Reading reflected the need for a woman to be submissive to the husband. He explained further that God deliberately created woman from man’s rib to serve as help mate but not to be the head of man.

The priest remarked in strong term that any woman who raises her shoulder any day above her husband is not ready for marriage. He has therefore enjoined all married women to be submissive to their husbands so that in return, their husbands can show more love to them.

Rev. Fr. Abude highlighted what he described as the four principles of harmonious living by couples and these include togetherness, communication, appreciation and forgiveness. Giving details of the principles, he emphasized the need for spouses to always share togetherness by not living apart like the case of some couples who live in different countries or states due to career challenges. He posited that living separately could lead to lack of interest and commitment to the marriage, which ultimately may lead to a breakdown.

On communication, he advised that couples should always discuss regularly with each other and know how each of them feels at any time with a view to smoothening rough edges where necessary. According to him, appreciating each other will always help to raise the morale of the spouses and ensure that their love is sustained just as forgiveness in times of misunderstanding or wrong steps would easily bring harmony in the spousal companionship.

The Parish Priest of the Church Rev. Fr. Israel Dibia and other priests at the wedding shared in the homily as they all gladly participated in making the service a memorable one. They noted that it was only love that could have prompted Dolapo of Yoruba extraction to seek the hand of Sandra of Delta Ibo ethnic group in marriage due to cultural differences. The couple were therefore enjoined to sustain the love and make the marriage an everlasting union.

At the reception which held at Waterholic Event Center also in GRA Asaba, Chairman of the event, a former member of the House of Representatives from Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency, Hon. Paschal Adigwe declared that the marriage of Dolapo and Sandra was a further demonstration that the Yoruba people of the South West and Delta Ibo (Anioma) have come a long way in promoting inter-ethnic marriages. He advised them to build an enduring marital relationship.

The groom’s family, friends and well wishers led by his father Hon. Abiodun Akinpelu had come in great numbers and the Ejiofor family members, friends, colleagues, associates and well wishers were in large numbers too. Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori was represented at the occasion by one of his commissioners Hon. Darlington Ijeh while the Delta State Director of DSS, Dr. Peter Afunanya represented the Director General of DSS.

Other dignitaries at the occasion included Royal Father of the Day, Eze Pat Abii of Ezi Udo Community in Imo State, Hon. Patrick Ukah, Director General of Asaba Capital Territory, Chief Chris Agbobu, a former Minister of Agriculture, Engr. John Onwualu, a highly celebrated engineering consultant and Chief Executive Officer of Jecon Associates.

Others were Dr. Jones Ofunne, Executive Secretary Education Board, Chief (Dr) Gozie Nwoyor, Chief & Mrs. Emma Emechete, the Owelle of Ubulu-Okiti, Chief Steve Osakwe of Delta State Polytechnic, Ogharra, members of Ejiofor’s Friends of Jesus, Pax Christi, Abuja, Liberal Platform from Akure, Parliament Club, Abuja and many others. The Father of the Day was Mr. Sunday Ogboji, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria while Mother of the Day was Mrs. Gladys Ifeozo of Picaddilly Suites, Lekki Lagos.

In an interview with ATLANTICNEWSONLINE on the sideline of the event, father of the groom, Hon. Abiodun Akinpelu; a two-term councilor from Ibadan Southwest Local Government Area of Oyo State expressed joy that his son has gotten married to a lady he described as “good.”. According to him, “Sandra is like a daughter to me. She is highly intelligent and respectful. So, I do not regret being in-law to the Ejiofor family. I am very happy today because Dolapo is my first son. I have known him and Sandra as lovers for about two years before now.”

Giving some background information about his son, Hon. Akinpelu said Dolapo is the first out of his three children given birth to, by his late wife. He studied computer science in polytechnic and he is currently a dealer in automobiles. He is also into commercial farming and owns a cassava processing factory.

Speaking further, Hon. Akinpelu described the Ejiofor family of Ubulu-Uku as “very good and accommodating” just as he expressed joy for the conviviality that pervaded the wedding both in the church and at the reception.

The bride, Sandra is the second child of the former Director of DSS. She studied environmental engineering at the University of West England, Bristol, United Kingdom. Currently, she works with TETFUND, Lagos.

The wedding reception was well attended by guests from Abuja, Lagos, Oyo State and other parts of the country. Guests were lavishly entertained as there was enough to eat and drink.