University Don Weds in style

In the beginning of May, 2021, Dr Obiorah Edogor, a lecturer of Mass Communication Department, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, invited the staff of the department to his wedding ceremony. Dr Edogor with his wife had their traditional marriage ceremony at his home town on April 5, 2021, in what he described as ‘low key.’

He stated that although the representatives of the Faculty of the Social Sciences and representatives of Mass Communication Department UNIZIK and other selected guests were invited to his church wedding, the event would be in ‘low key’ too.

Dr Edogor cited the coronavirus pandemic as his reason for choosing to celebrate both ceremonies without much funfairs. He added that, “as the covid-19 safety measures demand, the number of the guests to the wedding shall be limited.” The coronavirus pandemic “is real and it is still ravaging the world, so people have to be conscious of how they gather in crowds,” he said.

However, the congregation was amazed within the Holy Mass for solemnization of the Holy Matrimony between Dr Edogor and Miss Chinenye Ekweozor (now Mrs Chinenye Edogor), when one of the officiating priests presented to the new couple a document from Rome.

Prior to the presentation of the ‘Papal Blessing’ the priest in charge of the Catholic Chapel of the Good Shepherd, Archbishop Obiefuna Retreat and Conference Centre, Okpuno-Awka, Rev. Fr Maximus Muojeke, explained to the congregation that, that was the third time such a gift from Pope came to a couple during a wedding ceremony held in the chapel since his assumption of office as the Chaplain.

In a homily during the mass for the wedding, the homilist, Rev. Fr Martin Ihezie of the Society of Jesus Congregation, advised the couple to always love each other and have the policy of being open to one another in all their dealings. “Openness to yourselves shall be the key to the survival and longevity of your marriage,” the priest stated.

Earlier, Fr Ihezie told the congregation that Dr Obiorah Edogor was his classmate at Department of Mass Communication, University of Nigeria, Nsukka during their undergraduate programme.

He extolled Dr Edogor as an intelligent, courageous and hard-working student whose penchant for students politics earned him the nickname ‘Ngige,’ during his school days. The priest noted that the classmates drew the name from the then daring governor of Anambra State, Dr Chris Nwabueze Ngige.

The Holy Mass presided over by Very Rev. Fr. Dr Izunna Okonkwo, the CEO/MD St Charles Borromeo Specialist Hospital Onitsha, with four other priests started at about 10:15 am. Another senior Catholic priest of Onitsha Archdiocese who reside in the United States of America, Very Rev. Fr Hyacinth Jemigbola joined the mass very much later.

The event chaired by Engr. (Dr) John Chukwu, former Permanent Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority, represented by Mr. Ifeanyi Uche, was attended by other dignitaries including: Dr Emmanuel Okafor, Permanent Secretary, Anambra State Ministry of Environment, Awka; Prof. Collins Uche Nwogwugwu, Dean, Faculty of the Social Sciences, UNIZIK; Prof Chinyere Okunna, Director UNIZIK FM; Prof. Chinwe Uzochukwu, HOD Mass Communication, UNIZIK, Awka. The wedding ceremony attracted other high ranking academics like Prof. Samuel-Mary Obiorah, of Metallurgical and Material Engineering Department, UNIZIK; Prof. Allen Adum; Associate Prof. Cornelius Ugwueze and numerous other academic staff of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.

Also in attendance were Prof. Kenneth Ofokansi, Dean Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and his wife Dr (Mrs) Martha Ofokansi, the couple doubled as guests and sponsors of the new couple. Other guests include: Sir D.C. Ofordeme, CEO/MD Uru Industries Ltd, Nnewi; Engr Paul Okafor, of Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) Abuja.

In his vote of thanks during the wedding, Dr Obiorah Edogor expressed his gratitude to God for a successful ceremony and commended all those who assisted in organizing the event as well as those who attended it from different parts of the country.