Fides Media Living the Faith
. . . I am Healthy and Alive at 80, Because of My Good Wife – Ichie
By Ifeoma Ezenyilimba
While many couples, especially the young ones, flood the marriage tribunal with trending marriage cases and issues of divorce, Ichie Sir Gordian Umeojillinnaka (KSJI) of Uga, Aguata LGA, Anambra State, and his wife, Lolo Lady Cecilia Umeojilinnaka (LAUX), described their 50 Years of marriage as a celebration of God’s faithfulness.
Speaking at their Golden Jubilee Marriage Anniversary which doubled with his 80th Birthday, held at their country home, Awarasi Village, Uga, on January 2, 2020, Ichie Umeojilinnaka, fondly known as Ichie Gwa Nwanne Gi Eziokwu, gave gratitude to God for sustaining their union for the 50 years. According to Ichie and his wife, the union had been sustained by the faithfulness of God.
Ichie Umeojinnaka, who has been described by many as humble and honest to a fault, hence his chieftaincy name, ‘Ichie Gwa Nwanne Gi Eziokwu’, praised his wife, Lady Umeojilinnaka, for being a very good wife and mother.
‘I am still alive and healthy at 80 years because of my good wife, Lady Cecilia Umeojilinnaka. I would have since died if not that I am marrying a very good wife. I am also grateful to my of Adazi-Ani, for the good woman I married from their family. Those who wish to live happily and enjoy their marriages, should live together as my wife and I,’ Umeojilinnaka, a financial expert, political legend and community leader said.
Those who wish to live happily and enjoy their marriages, should live together as my wife and I,’ Umeojilinnaka, a financial expert, political legend and community leader said.
The golden couple’s five lovely children, Nze Obinna Umeh, Mr Onyebuchi Umeh, Nze Ugochukwu Umeh, Lady Nkemdilim Umenwa and M/S Chinyere Umeh, said their parents’ marriage had stood the test of time for 50 years, with the love they shared still intact.
The Concelebrated Golden Jubilee and Birthday Thanksgiving Mass that was held at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Uga, was led by the parish priest of Ss Peter & Paul Parish, Umuchu, Rev Fr Polycarp Chuks Obikwelu.
In his homily, the parish priest of St Anthony’s Parish, Nanka, Rev Fr Christian Umeojilinnaka, said the marriage anniversary and birthday celebration were in thanksgiving to God for his sustenance on the couple and for the blessed age of 80 years He blessed Ichie with.
According to Rev Fr Umeojilnnaka, the double celebration was to celebrate the couple whom he said had complemented each other for 50 years, and Ichie Umeojilinnaka, who he described as a man of integrity, truth and justice, and an epitome of brotherly love.
He congratulated the couple for being role models for ideal married life, and encouraged them to sustain such a legacy.
Fr Umeojilinnaka, who is Ichie’s cousin, recalled what he described as a good mentorship which he got from Ichie while as a seminarian, and acknowledged that that mentoring helped in his formation, while he thanked the children for taking good care of their parents. This was even as he urged them to maximize their efforts at taking care of their parents at a time they needed their care, support and attention the most. He said this would help them to live longer.
For his part, the parish priest of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Uga, Rev Fr Anthony Anike, described Ichie Umeojilinnaka as a great disciplinarian and a man of truth whose life represented the name he bears.
An impressive number of dignitaries from all walks of life graced the double celebration which had Chief Col. Martins Ukachukwu as the chairman of occasion.