FAMILY LIFE: Chief Jude, 90Yrs Old & Wife, Lolo Philomena Okparaeke, 79Yrs Old Got Married Recently In Abuja.

Chief & Lolo Oparaeke taking their marital vow.

In Nigeria today where the institution of marriage and all the morals it preaches has been wished away, one would wonder if there are people who still holds the union between man and woman in high esteem as it is gradually loosing it’s focus with the younger generation taking marriage for granted.

Chief & Lolo with their marriage certificate.

The question always on people’s lips each time an announcement of a broken marriage is made on the pages of Newspapers, Radio, Television or Social Media is, does respect for marriage still exist in the world of today? So, when a man and a woman celebrates 60yrs as husband and wife, many people would find it difficult to believe especially in our world of today where the sanctity of marriage has been thrown to the dogs.

Consequently, the family of Chief and Lolo Jude & Philomena Oparaeke rolled out the drums to celebrate not only their 60^th marriage anniversary, but rededicated their union before God on the alter for the strength to take their union forward as long as they live here on earth.

 The celebration which was attended by the cream de la crème of the society was held in Abuja, the federal capital of Nigeria, with the rededication of their wedding at 12 Apostles Catholic Church Abuja.

A brief on Chief & Lolo Oparaeke:

The life journey together for this lovely couple started in 1956 when they met in their hometown of Mbieri. After a short period of courtship and prayers, God revealed they had a future together. This was followed immediately by traditional inquiries, rites and wine carrying. Thereafter, on the 7th of September 1957, the young handsome Jude Ofoegbu Oparaeke walked with his soul mate, Philomena Nlemchukwu Osuoha, down the aisle to the altar of God.

Their life together has gone through the thick, the thin and the zigzag. They have weathered the storms, supporting each other in scarcity and in abundance. They have remained committed to each other in love and prayers. They have built a formidable team of 3 sons, 4 daughters and 16 grandchildren.

With the support of his wife, Chief J. O. Oparaeke served his fatherland meritoriously in the Nigerian Prisons Service where he rose through the ranks and retired in 1995, as a Superintendent of Prisons.

Chief and Lolo Oparaeke have dedicated their lives to service and sacrifice. They held executive positions in virtually all the organisations and associations they belonged to. They are not ones to condone injustice or oppression of any kind. They would rather take the arrows than watch an innocent person suffer. They spent their active lives caring for the disadvantaged and were never discouraged even in the face of persecution or ingratitude. They are known as peacemakers in their community, which led to their being honoured with the title of Udokanma 1 of Amaike Mbieri.

On the spiritual front, they have remained committed to their faith. Even in their old age, they are strong as ever, spending hours on their knees and before the Blessed Sacrament. They are devotees to St. Jude Thaddeus and St. Philomena whom they are named after. They brought up their children to be strong and practicing Catholics. They have also received several awards at Parish, Diocesan and Archdiocesan levels, including the following

2000    -           Award of Nneoma for Mrs Philo Oparaeke by the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri

2003    -           Jubilee family award by the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri

2004    -           Award of Ezinna for J.O. Oparaeke by Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri

2010    -           Church builder’s awards, by CKC parish Mbieri

2015    -           Ambassadors of Mary awards by the CWO of the Cathedral of the 12 Apostles, Abuja.

They believe so much in the Nigerian project abandoning the American Green cards issued them in 2001. They uphold the values of Philanthropy, Empathy, Patriotism, Nationalism, Scholasticism, Pragmatism, Positivism, Optimism and Enthusiasm, while careful to avoid any elements of Chauvinism or Jingoism.

As we celebrate these legends of our time on the occasion of their Diamond Jubilee anniversary, may we tap into the anointing for longevity and togetherness which they represent. Like the Icons that they are, may we also be celebrated in this life and that our footprints will remain indelible in the sands of time.

Notable among those who graced the occasion are, Chief and Lolo Damian Obianigwe  Ezediohanma 1 of Ihitte Owerre, Nollywood actor, Kanayo O. Kanayo and had all his children and 17 grandchildren surround them as they celebrate in glory.

We at Precious Eze’s Blog celebrate with you daddy and mummy and wish you both longer life in health and prosperity.

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