her Facebook page to recount how she met the governor when they were
both law students of Rivers State University of Science and Technology
in Port Harcourt.
She also gave some marriage advise. Read their beautiful story below:
“It’s funny how life sometimes takes us where we never plan or expect to
go. For three years, we sat in the same lecture rooms and halls but
never passed a word between each other. It was only after I chanced upon
his law note books in the possession of a mutual classmate that
everything changed.
At that time, the law books in our library were expired and in most
cases not available and we had to find other means to report our
Nigerian case law. Most of us resorted to copying from others who had
lawyer friends they visited in chambers and while there, used their law
reports/books.
Thankfully, the situation is different today as not only has our
Governor completed the long, abandoned building of the Facaulty of Law,
Rivers State University of Science and Technology, but he has also
furnished it and equipped the law library with modern books, law reports
and even e-resources. The current students there are lucky to benefit
from this upgrade as theirs is now a standard Facaulty of Law.
It surprised me then, to realize that he was indeed a serious minded
student and not as I had earlier perceived. His notes were up to date as
he took time to report more cases than were cited by our lecturers,
which neccesarily meant better grades if you can put them all down in
your answer sheets during tests and examinations.
I immediately coveted that notebook and pleaded with my classmate to
loan me the book after she had finished, promising to return it in two
days. She refused. Another request with the promise to return it in one
day as I was prepared to sit up all night copying those cases, was
declined . My last plea to photocopy the notebook and return it
immediately fell on deaf ears. She told me to seek the permission of the
owner, with the belief that I wouldnt dare
And of course, she was right to think that as she knew that we had never
once spoken to each other. At that point, I inquired from her, his
name. She replied simply: “Wike”. I wondered how odd that name sounded
as I’d never heard it before. I also wondered how to approach him as I
believed that he disliked me as much as I did him.
But the desire to have that fully loaded note book was too strong. I
could not give up without at least, making an attempt. As he passed by
us, I called his name as I had just learnt: “excuse me, Wike”. He froze
and I noticed his shock and disbelief. I started putting my words
together, expecting him to scowl at me, thinking in his head – “Oh! So
you have decided to talk to me now that you need my notebook eh?’
He didn’t let me complete my request. He caught the drifrt so fast and
he spoke to our mutual classmate, telling her to give me his note book
after she had finished with it and he walked off. It was now my turn to
be in shock! After I recovered, I started putting the heat on our
classmate to give me the book asap.
One borrowed book led to another and yet another borrwed book and soon
after, we became friends. I got to see the hardworking, focused, studios
and serious minded person he was and still is. Before Iong, there was a
marriage proposal. I declined as I didn’t see myself as the marrying
kind but he wouldn’t give up.
He said to me that the moment he first set his eyes on me when he joined
us in our second year out of the more than five years I was in that
institution, he knew already that I was going to be his wife. ? That
got me even more confused. Having noted all the qualities I had noticed
in him, I knew that he was a man with very great prospects or potentials
for success, as I’d told him then.
I therefore decided to accept his proposal and took a chance, believing
that he would make me a happy woman. Today, the 19th of December, marks
the 17th year we have been together as a married couple. He is a man
that has exhibited excellent taste …. no wonder he chose and continues
to choose me . ?
You promised to give me the world at that time but you have given me
much more than I could have ever asked for. Our three adorable children
are a testimony to that fact and I can’t tell you enough, how fulfilled I
feel.
Please permit me to use this medium to share some of the life lessons I
have learnt in these past 17 years of marriage, especially in reaching
out to encourage our youths who have skewed perceptions about marriage.
You have to make the right decision about your marriage. I made a
decision to become a happy wife 17 years ago, by contributing to build a
happy marriage. I learnt that marriage in itself doesn’t make you
happy. You have to make your marriage a happy one. Marriage is not what
you get. Marriage is what you bring, what you give and what you do.
There is no perfect marriage or perfect couples. Rather, when two
imperfect friends honour and celebrate each other, they are empowered to
build up a great blossoming marriage with flourishing children.
Marriage, it has been said, is likened to an empty box that couples
should labour to fill up with all the good things they want in their
marriage – friendship, understanding, respect, love, etc. Love does not
come packaged with any marriage. Love is in people and people put love
in marriage. People infuse romance in marriage. Same thing with all the
other values.
A couple must practice the art and form the habit of giving, loving,
serving, forgiving, rewarding, praising, and just keeping the marriage
box full always. If you take more and put less, the box empties out.
Let us challenge ourselves to work harder at achieving happier
marriages. It will lead to more harmonious homes and communities and
eventually a more prosperous and peaceful Rivers State. That is how
powerful and endowed married couples are.
I recall, after we became engaged, attending a conference at Christ
Church in December, 1996 where Selwyn Hughes, the initiator of the daily
devotional called “every day with Jesus” featured and spoke to the
young ones (at that time ?) about marriage. I bought his book then
titled: Marriage as God intended.
Rev. Mossy Madugba authographed the book on his behalf and on my request
as it wasn’t possible for me to meet the author after the occasion. He
wrote these words on the first page – “Blossom where you are planted”.
Indeed, I can say without any fear of any contradiction, that by the
grace of God, I have blossomed and will keep blossoming where the Lord,
God has planted me.
Today, on this occasion of our 17th marriage anniversary, I celebrate my
hardworking classmate, friend, lover and husband… Nyesom Ezenwo
Nyesom Wike CON. We have been through thick, thin and thinner but just
like old wine, it keeps getting better with time.
Happy 17th Marriage Anniversary to you, my love. May we forever stay young in each others eyes.”