It was celebration galore at Late Chief Abraham Nsirim’s compound in Ohaka, Ogbodo Isiokpo, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State over the weekend, when Mr/Mrs Eze Emmanuel Nsirim gave out their beautiful daughter, Miss Stella Wegwu Nsirim in marriage through a unique traditional marriage arrangement peculiar to only Isiokpo people.
When the bride eventually located her husband to be and taken to her father for the usual blessings, it was then announced that unless and until a binded marriage agreement which is peculiar to Isiokpo people is signed by all concerned, the marriage is not yet consummated inspite of the pride price payment and other merriments.
And so, the writer of the agreement, Elder Goodlife S. Okparanta took over, read the content and called out the persons concerned for the assignment. He explained to the bewildered audience that the practice is as old as the community, adding that the agreement is binding on the two families, the communities of the couple and those who witnessed the marriage. He also stated that copies of the agreement is equally given to them for their records. Elder Okparanta also explained that it is also a symbol to remind the couple and their relation that the joining is forever and no room for divorce.
Those who signed the special traditional marriage agreement include; the couple, Mr. Godstime Itohan Abumere and Miss Stella Wegwu Nsirim; the parents of the bride;
Mr. Eze Emmanuel Nsirim and Mrs. Mercy Nsirim; the parents of the groom: Mr. Arthur Abumere and Mrs. Rita Abumere; Chairman of the occasion: Chief Sir, Solomon A.N. Amadi, Family Chief: Chief Mark Nsirim and Community Chief: Chief Samuel Owhonda.
It was after the signing that they jointly handed over the bride to the groom’s father and their guests as the custom demands for safe keeping and protection. Thereafter, Mr. Nsirim gave out his blessings and prayed for fruitfulness, peace and progress of the marriage.
Speaking with newsmen on the sideline of the occasion, the elated father of the bride, Mr. Eze Nsirim said the suitor came all the way from Ujoelen Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State to seek for his daughter’s hand in marriage, adding he wouldn’t know how they met themselves.
On what he thinks about inter-tribal and inter-state marriage, he said it does not matter as long as the couple are happy with each other.
Mr. Nsirim further said that with such development, it would help straighten the peace and unity which the country is earnestly looking for through the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.
