By Izunna Okafor, Awka
It was a colourful celebration of love, culture, family honour, and matrimonial pride over the weekend as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Anambra State Waste Management Authority (ASWAMA), Engr. Mike Ozoemena, gave out the hand of his daughter, Faustina Oluchi Ozoemena, in marriage, to Mr. Christian Tochi Onuoha.
The joy-filled twin occasion, which began with a holy matrimony and tying of the conjugal knot at the St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Awka, climaxed later at the residence of Engr. Ozoemena at Araba Umuzocha, Awka, where the traditional marriage rites were performed amidst dances, cultural displays, admiration from guests, and an atmosphere of sheer celebration and marital bliss.
Speaking during the white wedding that marked the first phase of the well-attended event, Rev. Fr. Dr. Kenechi Anyanwu of the Catholic Diocese of Aba commended the couple for choosing to build their union on the foundation of Christian values. He urged them to anchor their marriage on love, prayer, forgiveness, and mutual understanding, virtues he described as the pillars of any enduring home.
Dwelling on the sanctity of the marital covenant, Fr. Anyanwu reminded the couple that marriage is both a vocation and a lifelong commitment; even as he admonished them to respect each other, uphold the vows exchanged on the altar, and continue to be ambassadors of Christian marriage in a society increasingly losing its moral balance.
Also speaking, the parents of the groom, Golden Father Bartholomew Okpomechile Onuoha and Golden Mother Elizabeth Onuoha from Obodo Owobinubi in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State, expressed hearty joy over the union. Joyfully welcoming the bride to the family, they thanked God for granting their son a virtuous wife and praised the Ozoemena family for raising a daughter whose character and upbringing reflect strong family values.
Showering their parental blessings on the newlyweds, they prayed for fruitfulness, divine guidance, peaceful home-building, and an everlasting bond rooted in mutual respect and godliness.
In her reactions and remarks shortly after receiving their marriage certificate, the newly-wedded bride, Mrs. Faustina Oluchi Onuoha, could not hide her joy. She described the day as a dream come true and expressed gratitude to God, her family, and all the guests who honoured them.
Recounting how love and destiny brought her and her husband together, she said she chose him because of his humility, kindness, generosity, and unwavering love — qualities she said she had long admired and valued in him. She further prayed for a blissful home, while also advising young ladies to remain patient, prayerful, focused, and responsible instead of succumbing to societal pressure or marital desperation.
On his part, the groom, Mr. Christian Tochi Onuoha, said he singled out Faustina after years of observing her character, comparing her with others he had known in the past, and concluding that she was the best companion for him. He described the day as one of the happiest moments of his life, adding that seeing his relatives, friends, and well-wishers in attendance further deepened his joy.
Mr. Onuoha expressed hope that his wife would remain respectful, faithful, and virtuous, emphasizing that fidelity is central to his values and his vision for their marriage. He further wished prayed for a peaceful home blessed with children and all-round prosperity.
Earlier in an interview, the MD/CEO of ASWAMA, Engr. Mike Ozoemena, described the occasion as a blessing and a privilege every parent prays to witness. He expressed joy that his daughter completed her education, concluded her National Youth Service Programme, and entered marriage with dignity and honour, without ever giving the family any form of trouble.
Describing her as an epitome of humility, discipline, moderation, and parental obedience, the ASWAMA Boss said he was grateful that she is joining a Christian and morally grounded home that will uphold the values she was raised with. He prayed that God would reward her with a peaceful, prosperous, and hitch-free marital journey.
Fielding questions from newsmen, Engr. Ozoemena, who reflected on the peaceful atmosphere in which the large gathering held, lauded Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo for restoring security across Anambra State, recalling that such events were previously taken outside the state due to insecurity. He celebrated the Governor’s efforts in restoring peace, as well as reclaiming the state from hoodlums and making it a liveable and prosperous homeland, which now makes residents confident enough to host major ceremonies without fear.
He further thanked friends, colleagues, government officials, neighbours, and well-wishers who turned out in their numbers to honour the event despite their busy schedules and other social engagements that now symbolize weekends in Anambra.
The glamorous wedding ceremony and traditional rites were graced by high-profile individuals and top government functionaries, including the Deputy Governor of the State, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, who extolled the virtues of the families and congratulated the couple.
Also present at the event were the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu; former Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Uche Okafor; Deputy Chief of Staff and Chief of Protocol to the Governor, Chief Chinedu Nwoye (Glamour); immediate-past National Vice President of Ohaneze Ndị Igbo, Chief Damian Okeke-Ogene; State Commissioner for Power and Water Resources Engr. Julius Chukwuemeka; Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment and Tourism, Hon. Don Onyenji; Commissioner for Environment, Engr. Felix Odimegwu; MD/CEO of the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA), Hon. Ossy Onuko; MD of the Anambra State Civic and Social Reformation Office (ANCISRO), Sir Chuka Nnabuife; among many other dignitaries.
Among other key highlights, special performances, cutting of cake, presentation of gifts, group photographs, and showers of marital blessings on the newest couple in town formed the highpoints of the event.
More photos from the event:
