It was a joyful moment at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia as Jachimike Victor Ikpeazu, son of Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu and his wife, Nkechi was joined in matrimony to his heartrob, former Miss Thelma Chidinma Onwueyi.

Speaking at the event, President Muhammadu  Buhari congratulated the couple on their marriage. The President who spoke through the Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Uche Ogah, said that successful marriages  hinge on strong  family values and character, adding that when family values are properly enshrined, there would be stability in other activities in the society including peaceful coexistence. He encouraged them to pray, and do things together and wished them the best in their union.

Also speaking, the wife of the President, Aisha Buhari, represented by the wife of Ebonyi State Governor, Mrs Rachael Umahi congratulated them on their union and assured them that marriage is blissful and an avenue to express love.

Earlier in his speech, the father of the groom, and Governor of Abia State,  Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu said he was overwhelmed by the presence of dignitaries and thanked them for coming. He reminded the new couple that the presence of numerous witnesses should inspire them to make a success of their marriage.

The Chairman of the occasion and Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Udom Emmanuel, blessed the couple while speaking at the reception ceremony saying that whatever their parents failed to achieve, they will surely achieve it.

In a sermon, the President, Eastern Union Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Pastor Professor Bassey Udoh emphasised on the need for married couples

to stick to one another, stating that they are now friends and a friend in need is a friend indeed.

Pastor Udoh, who took his text from Ruth 1:16-17 shared some practical ways to show love as exemplified  by the biblical Ruth, who showed genuine love to the her matrimonial home. The pastor noted that one of the ways to show love was by adjusting to accommodate others, especially one’s spouse and urged the wife never to compare her husband Jachimike  with any other man while praying God to bless them and grant them fruitfulness and peace.

The wedding ceremony attracted the presence of many dignitaries including Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Udom Emmanuel and his wife, Dr. Mrs Martha Udom, , Enugu State Governor, Rt. Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Ebonyi State Governor, Engr. Dave Umahi and his wife, Rachel Umahi, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Duoye Diri, Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and wife, Betsy Obaseki as well as wife of the Delta State Governor, Dame Edith Okowa.

Others include, Former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim, Immediate past Governor of Abia State and Senator representing Abia Central, Senator  T. A Orji and wife, Mrs Odochi Orji, Former Governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi, National Assembly members, Members of the Abia State Executive Council, Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly, Engr. Chinedum Orji and his wife, and members of the state House of Assembly, The Chief Judge, Honorable Justice Onuoha Ogwe and members of the judiciary, Top Government officials, Captains of industry, , Members of the Peoples Democratic Party,(PDP), Traditional rulers, members of the clergy and people from other walks of life.