By Vera Bassey
A Non-Governmental Organisation “The Wife” recently celebrated couples who have been married for over 25 years amidst pomp and fanfare with the theme “Raising The Next Generation”.
The couples were celebrated and were given awards to commemorate their marriages and they participated in games couple dances, and cutting of the cake among others.
One of the guest speakers, Mrs. Adunola Akinyemiju admonished the couples on the essence of training their children properly and with the fear of God.
According to her “The way children were raised before and now is quite different. It is becoming difficult to raise children in our contemporary time, therefore parents should teach their children how to love and show care. The attitude and behaviour of children are formed at the age of six years, parents should make sure that they correct and discipline them when necessary with love.
Mrs Akinyemiju urged participants to know that there are a lot of negative vices in the lives of youths today and it is a spiritual battle. The church has a lot to also do in the training of children and youths and it’s a make-up call for them to do this effectively.
Another guest speaker, Dr Chidinma Gertrude Dike a Paediatrician, who spoke on “Guiding the next generation to make the right choice in marriage” admonished parents to guide their children in the choice of their marriages. “What guides a marriage are principles and intellectual desires. “If you marry someone who is not supportive of what you do, definitely he/she will pull you back.
“ Also genotype of intending couples is very important because both the man and woman should know their genotype before coming together as husband and wife.
Founder of NGO, Dr. Nkem Okoro disclosed she has been married for 39 years and said her marriage has been a glorious journey and she has had many laurels and awards because of her NGO.
“I have received countless awards because of my humanitarian and selfless services and the best award I have received is on marriage. This has affected my marriage positively. I have the privilege of travelling to other states outside Lagos to talk to women about marriage.
For example, in Anambra state, my NGO was invited to deliver a lecture during the International Day of the Child. “God has given us the opportunity to touch the lives of people in churches, and governmental agencies. I am happy when we train women and mothers to become excellent mothers in their marriages.
What prompted the theme of the programme, Dr Okoro said, we are in a unique terrain because our children know more than us in the use of technology, so we must take our time to understand the devices that we use.
The coordinator, Mrs. Ada Emeka Matthew recalls that it was a divine revelation from God that marriages should be celebrated by giving awards to couples that have lived exemplary lives in their marriages as couples.
She remarked on what prompted her to choose the theme “Raising The Next Generation”, if we don’t raise the next generation, there might not be the wife again. We hope to reach out to couples through our programme, Christmas Cantata. We hope to take ‘The Wife’ globally so that we can reach a wider audience.” She said.