- Oyindamola, Jibola wed amid prayers
By Banji Ayoola
Chief Imam of the University of Ibadan, Prof Muftau Abdulrahaman Oloyede, has traced the source of the problems rocking many societies on earth today to a general disregard of the Holy Will of God in running their affairs.
Describing love as the major pillar of a successful marriage and a happy home, he advised the youths to ensure that they marry only the partners whom they honestly love.
Specifically, the cleric declared that today’s family life in many societies and countries on earth, which generally does not accord with the Will of Allah, “is the cause of our problems.”
He spoke in Ibadan, Oyo State capital at the weekend during a sermon which he delivered in Yoruba, at the wedding of Miss Oyindamola Durojaye and Prince Ajibola Adeyemi Oyeboade.
He regretted that marriage today especially in Yorubaland, does not accord with the Holy Will, as he called on the people particularly parents, to help their marrying children, by stressing for them the need to accord their unions with the Will of the Lord.
Noting that marriage was instituted by the Lord as part of His designs to foster peace among humanity on earth, he said that women were created and given to pair up with men for humanity to live joyfully together on earth.
Besides, he said that all able bodied men and women must marry.
Urging husbands to care for their wives, he decried as unhealthy and wrong, the popular situation today whereby due mainly to economic circumstances, many husbands and wives live distances apart from one another.
This, he said, makes such unions easy targets to dangerous external influences and vulnerable to problems, even unintended break ups.
Addressing the groom, Oloyede said: “Your wife is taken and created from your part. If you care for her, you care for yourself. Weekend husband, month-end husband, yearly husband are all wrong and unlawful.
Wherever you live, let your wife live. That alone brings peace.
Second law: Your wife is not from your parents. She is neither from your biological home, nor is she from your father. She cannot know all the practices in your home. She does not know you. So you have to be patient with her.
Before she knows you, it would take time; and not to talk of knowing your parents.
So you have to persevere. You should be the one to defend her before your parents and people.”
He added: “Some husbands are not happy when their wives prosper. Do not be like them. Your parents must not suffer. Stand by your wife.”
Turning to the bride, Oloyede counseled: “The crisis in our society today comes mainly from the home. Please run away from egbe e kil’oko o se (the group of married women who have no respect for their husbands.)
Mothers, all you endure with your husbands is because of your children. Be patient; pray for your husband; take care of your husband; pray for him; help him. Do not be a wife who dims her husband’s bright star.”
While joining the couple together and pronouncing them formally as husband and wife at exactly 11.38am, the cleric prayed: “We join these two together today as husband and wife; Please Lord, Join them together; Let this union prosper and be a Blessing.”
A former Resident Electoral Commissioner for Taraba State, former Permanent Secretary in Oyo State, ex President of Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, Chairman of Ibadan Muslim Community and the Mayegun of Ibadanland, High Chief Bayo Oyero, presented their marriage certificate to the couple.
Addressing the wife, Oyero prayed: “O o ni i b’inu fa iwe yii ya; oko o ni i ku mo o l’ori; iwo naa o ni i ku mo oko l’ori. E e ni i daamu. Amin.” (You won’t tear this certificate in anger; you won’t lose your husband; your husband won’t lose you too. You won’t suffer.)
Miss Isawumi ModupeOluwa (bridesmaid), Mr. Fawehinmi Temitope (Best man), Alhaja Haslat Badmus, Alhaja Haulat Baderin and Dr. Banji Ayoola (The Radiance publisher) witnessed the signing of the marriage certificate.
The Head of Department of Islamic Studies at the University of Ibadan, Prof Abdul Lateef Oluwole Abass, who said the opening prayer in Yoruba, prayed: “May the Lord bless this union. May the Lord give the new couple the joy in marriage. Please Lord, do not let anything separate them.”
Amid prayers, the bride’s father, Engnr Alhaji Asimiyu Gbolagade Durojaye and mother, Mrs. Oyinlola Durojaye led the bride and groom into the venue and to their exalted seats. The father had handed her daughter over to the officiating Prof Oloyede for the marriage consummation.
The groom’s father, Prince Oyeladun Abefe Oyeboade, represented by Mr. Abiodun Badmus; and mother, Mrs. Mary Oyeboade together with the bride’s parents, Engnr Alhaji Asimiyu Gbolagade Durojaye and Mrs Oyinlola Durojaye, held the bride and groom while Prof Oloyede formally joined the couple.
Havana Royale Hall venue of the ceremony, spilled over with guests who had turned out in several festive aso ebi.
The groom’s mother’s elder sister, Mrs. Rebecca Fasaye; his father’s younger sister, Mrs. Bunmi Fowowe; brothers, Wale and Odun were busy throughout attending to the guests.
Dr. Adam Akewula moderated.
In attendance also were a former Head of Service in Oyo State, Chief Tunde Fawole; President of Ibadan Solidarity Group, Chief Ayo Afolabi; President, Ibadan Elite 25; Alhaji Nurudeen Olaniyi Yusuf; Prof Adekunle Akinyemi from US; Mr. Adegboyega; Mr. Remi Adegbite of CBN; Mr. Oyetunji Muyiwa; Alhaji Barrister Raji; Alhaji R. O. Ibikunle; Engnr Akin Adejumo; Chief Mrs Yinka Adedeji formerly of Oyo State Local Government Service Commission; Mr. Muritala Awotunji; Mr. Mukaila Aminu; Mr. Damilola Egbetola and wife Mrs. Kehinde Egbetola; Hon Justice Orofajo; Hon Adepoju; Mr. Basiru Aremu Lawal; Alhaji Salam; Dr. Lasisi Balogun and wife; Prince Asanike; Chief Latinwo; Dr. Adubu; Alhaji Tajudeen Aremu; Chief Mrs. Peju Adebunmi and Chief Babatunde Agege among numerous others.
May the lord bless the union….amen