By Jonathan Ugbal
The Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP in Cross River State, Venatius Ikem Esq says his decision to celebrate the golden jubilee wedding anniversary of Mr. Denis Adie, a senior citizen in his community, is because he is inspired by the union and an act of love.
Mr. Ikem stated this while addressing friends, family, allies and others at the Adie’s compound in Begiaba, Obudu Local Government Area on Sunday who gathered to celebrate Mr. Denis and his wife Josephine.
“I told myself, if I don’t celebrate my elder, then I have done nothing. Since I was born, the number of people that have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary that I know and have seen are not up to three. I told myself that if God has kept him until this time, then it calls for celebration.
“This is also to encourage us to love each other, care for each other, and advise each other. This is not about whether he is a member of my party or not, this is about brotherhood. We are all one and of the same kith and kin, hence the celebration. That is why everyone has been gathered and will be feted in the hopes that we will all live and celebrate our own golden wedding anniversaries,” Ikem said.
During the breaking of kolanut at the occasion, Utsu Emmanuel Abunimye, said most of those gathered were either not born or kids when Mr. Adie took his wife to the altar and commended the PDP Chairman for choosing to celebrate his kinsman
Also, on his part, Mr. Adie while thanking those who gathered to celebrate him, said his gratitude towards Mr. Ikem knows no bounds.
Earlier, at the Thanksgiving mass at the St. Anthony of Padua’s station, the Parish Priest of St. Theresa of the Little Flower Parish, Ipong, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Idu harped on the need for unconditional love during his sermon.
Idu who said many are showing fake love and not sincere love, lamented that the focus was now on erotic love, and not the care that our parents showed while lacking the humility to seek the advice of older couples how they have succeeded.
The Clergyman who said the Bible mentions faith, hope and love as the three things that never fail, averred that love is the greatest and has several characteristics.
“Love is forgiving, love exonerates, love is not boastful, love is not pompous and above all, love never fails,” he said, adding that as Christians, that is what qualifies them to be admitted into heaven.
Furthermore, he explained that the alphabets all meant something. “L stands for listening to each other; ‘O’ means overlooking shortcomings; ‘V’ is for valuing each other, and ‘E’ stands for Enduring.”
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