Gombe State Deputy Governor, Dr Manassah Daniel Jatau, on Saturday called on newly married couple to uphold Christian values and build homes founded on love, trust, faithfulness and mutual respect.
Jatau made the call at the solemnisation of the marriage between Barrister Jirfa Hakila Heman and Blessing Galiyos, son of the former Chief Judge of Gombe State, Justice Hakila Y. Heman.
The ceremony, which attracted prominent personalities from within and outside the state, was held at ECWA Gospel Church, off Ashaka Road, Gombe.
The marriage was solemnised by the Assistant General Secretary of ECWA, Reverend Dr Sunday Congo, amidst prayers, praises and goodwill messages.
In his goodwill message as Special Guest of Honour, the Deputy Governor congratulated the parents of the couple for witnessing the marriage of their children, describing it as a moment of joy, fulfilment and hope for every parent.
He commended the couple for taking the bold step of establishing a family and urged them to make their home a model Christian household where virtues such as love, fidelity, trust, hospitality and compassion are upheld.
Speaking from his background as a sociologist, Dr Jatau emphasised the importance of culture in marriage, noting that the family remains the foundation of every society and attributed many societal challenges, including corruption, insurgency and other forms of social decay, to the weakening of religious, family and cultural values.
The Deputy Governor stressed that the quality of families determines the moral direction of society, urging parents to take their responsibilities seriously by providing proper upbringing and instilling discipline, integrity and respect for others in their children.
He said, “A strong society begins with strong families. When parents uphold good values and bring up their children in the fear of God, we are laying a solid foundation for a peaceful, responsible and progressive society.”
He called on parents to sustain good parenting practices for the overall development of Gombe State and the country at large.
Delivering the sermon, the Senior Clergyman, Reverend Dr Gideon Dan Bauchi, who took his text from from Holy Book of Genesis Chapter two, verses eighteen,twenty four and twenty five, spoke on the topic, “God’s Instructions for Marriage.”
He described instruction, in its general sense, as an order or command that provides direction for achieving a desired purpose, explaining that marriage is a divine institution ordained by God and governed by principles that couples must understand and observe.
The cleric advised the couple to follow God’s instructions for marriage, remain faithful to their vows and resist societal pressures or cultural differences that could undermine their union.
He stressed that a successful marriage requires deliberate commitment from both partners, including forgiveness, effective communication and shared responsibilities, to build a relationship capable of withstanding the challenges of marriage life.
Reverend Dan Bauchi described marriage as a lifelong journey established by God to fulfil His purpose for mankind, adding that couples must understand its foundation and remain committed to their respective responsibilities.
He identified companionship as one of the major purposes of marriage, explaining that God brought couples together to support, encourage and complement one another.
He therefore urged Jirfa and Blessing to see themselves as partners rather than competitors, noting that mutual understanding, patience, love, tolerance and respect are essential ingredients for a peaceful home.
The preacher also highlighted procreation and the responsibility of raising children in a loving and godly environment as important aspects of marriage, stressing the need to preserve family values for future generations.
Speaking on behalf of the traditional institutions, the Kwandi Nunguraya, Sir Dr. Kuruhaye Dishon Dansand II, congratulated the newly married couple and urged them to demonstrate genuine love, protect one another and uphold mutual respect as essential ingredients for a peaceful and enduring marriage.
The traditional ruler further used the occasion to express concern over the approaching 2027 general elections, calling on politicians, their supporters and the general public to conduct their political activities within the confines of the law.
He stressed that political ambition should not be allowed to undermine the prevailing peace and unity of the country, urging all stakeholders to embrace tolerance, peaceful engagement and responsible political participation to ensure credible and violence-free elections.
The ceremony later moved to the International Conference Center Gómbe for the reception where guests were treated to sumptuous dishes.
Among dignitaries at the occasion were Gombe State APC gubernatorial running mate, Engineer Bala Adams; prominent legal practitioners; among worthy of mentioning, the Anthony General and Commissioner for Justice, Muhammad Umar Zubair, the Bala Waja, Alhaji Muhammad Danjuma Muhammad, district and village heads from Waja Chiefdom; members of the business community and other well-wishers.
Jack A.Tasha, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Publicity,
(Deputy Governor’s Office)
