By joshua 
Governor Nwifuru, Umahi Strengthen Relationship As Siblings Exchange Marital Vow In Ebonyi
By Agbo Amuche, Abakaliki
Ebonyi State Governor Chief Francis Nwifuru and Minister of works Senator David Umahi have strengthened their relationship as younger sister of the Governor former Miss Rebecca Nwifuru and younger brother of the Minister Engr Silas Umahi wedded on Sunday at Christ Ascension Church Okpaugwu Abakaliki.
Speaking at the event, the Governor called on church leaders to advocate for marriages founded on love, in accordance with God’s holy ordinance, rather than those bound solely by legal stipulations attributing the wide spread of most marriage failure to the negative effects of marriages contacted under the Act.
Governor Nwifuru expressed concern that many marriage failures can be traced to the negative impacts of unions formalized under legal contracts, which often emphasize the division of material wealth over the essential qualities of love and commitment and regretted the loss of key elements such as humility and submissiveness when couples become overly focused on material possessions.
Governor Nwifuru urged the newlyweds to build their family on the foundations of love and forgiveness, emphasizing the importance of prayer in nurturing their relationship.
In his remarks, Senator David Umahi congratulated the couple and called on the people of the State to continue their steadfast support for Governor Nwifuru’s administration and acknowledged the Governor’s remarkable achievements, asserting that his second-term bid is well-deserved, as his developmental initiatives have garnered support from both local and national dignitaries.
In a heartfelt sermon, the officiating cleric from Christ Ascension Church, Okpaugwu Abakaliki,
Reverend Umahi, highlighted strict adherence to God’s teachings as vital for a successful marriage and encouraged the couple to communicate effectively, complement one another’s strengths and weaknesses, and to prioritize quality time together to foster their bond.
In a wedding reception, the Chairman of of the occasion, Chief Austin Umahi enjoined the couple to always strive to maintain the bond that unites them while wishing them a successful married life.
In an interview, the Executive chairman of Abakaliki Local Government Area Hon. Stephen Ebere Nwogba urged the couple to hold unto God, sustain the love that leads to their union as husband and wife and never allow third party interference in their marriage.
According to the council chairman, nobody should go into marriage with the pride of the family, you are starting a fresh family both of you should see yourself as one, respect your husband and in return the man should respect his wife.I prayed that good lord will sustain them.
The State commissioner for human capital development and monitoring Hon. Ann Aligwe enjoined the new couple to love each other and live a fulfilled life as a good husband and wife, expressing hope that God’s goodness and love would continue to keep them.
“I’m urging the couple to remain united and train the children that God will give to them very well in order to make their family to be worthy of emulation.
The Commissioner also advised young ladies looking for husbands to be faithful and keep praying to God and have good character, attributing delays in young girls marriage to bad characters.
“It is bad attitude that cause most young girls delay in marriage, once you have a good character your own right man will always come” Mrs Aligwe said
The ceremony attracted distinguished personalities and featured goodwill messages from both bride’s and groom’s parents as well as exchange of gifts