A cleric, Apostle King Umossoh has charged couples to involve God in their dealings with each other for their marriages to thrive, asserting that as the maker of the marriage institution, God holds the blueprint for success therein.

Apostle Umossoh, who is the Superintendent of The Apostolic Church, Aganya Assembly, Bonny Area, Maritime Territory, said this on Sunday, April 6, 2025 during the Solemnization of Holy Matrimony between former Miss Vera Mkpaoro and Mr. Nicholas Labaka at the church premises at Aganya Community in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State.  

“Marriage is instituted by God and if you want to operate a system, you have to inquire from the manufacturer of that system, the modelling of the system.”

“So, I think if you want to succeed in marriage, meet the manufacturer of marriage, the creator of marriage; the one who instituted marriage. He has a manual for it which is the word of God, which is the wisdom of God and if you apply them you will succeed.”  

He praised the couple’s commitment to the worship of God and service in the church, wishing them marital bliss, procreation, economic prosperity, spiritual growth, and longevity.

“Brother Labaka and Sister Vera happens to be members of our church. They are very committed, very humble fellows, and seeing the crowd, you will know that they are people who are sociable and all that. They are very good people.”  

“My wish for them is that God will help them to grow from level to level. They’ve just started and I’m wishing them a blissful marital experience. I’m also wishing them prosperity, wishing them long life, wishing them to have children around them and also God should also raise them so that they can also encourage others.”  

In an interview with Kristina Reports, the father of the bride, Dr Israel Mkpaoro, who is also the Coordinator of the International Friendship League (IFL) in Rivers State, extolled her sterling virtues, describing her as “one of the pearls of the family”, expressing confidence in the groom to provide the right leadership and emotional environment for the marriage to thrive.  

“My daughter, who I gave out today, is actually one of the pearls in the family. We’re very happy as a family that we are having this experience today. We never expected it so every member of the family is happy that she brought this honour to the family.

“As for the young man that is coming; from the very first day we saw him we fell in love with him. We are sure that he’ll be able to take care of our daughter and we have adopted him just like our own son in the family. So, we are very grateful and happy with this occasion.”  

Dr Mkpaoro, an oil and gas professional who also sits on the board of many successful companies, advised couples to love and respect one another for their marriages to succeed, encouraging the anxious unmarried to trust in God for their life partners, assuring that there is hope in trusting God.

“I’ll advise them to love one another and then respect one another and then also imbibe the principles, the keys that the minister of the gospel gave to them in the church during the exhortation.”

“…and for those who are looking up to an occasion like this, this is a clear and classical example of the fact that you don’t need to lose heart. Like I said earlier on, we never expected our daughter to bring us this honour. So, if you are in such situation as a parent, don’t give up on your children.”  

“Definitely, they will make you proud one of these days and for those who are looking up to such, all hope is not lost. God is still on the throne.”  

Also speaking, the Chief-elect of Ataije Family in Okoloile Town in Andoni LGA of Rivers State, Chief Dr Julius Mkpaoro, who is also an uncle to the bride, poured encomiums on her, describing her as “a worthy daughter of the family”.

The Ataije Family Chief stressed that the delectable bride was well beloved of her grandmother during the latter’s lifetime, expressing his delight that she has brought honour to the family.

“Incidentally, the bride happened to live with me. Her mother happens to be my immediate younger sister. To be very sincere and candid, when they were marching into the hall, tears flowed from my eyes; I remembered my mother. I had to change my glasses to this sun shade so that people will not see the tears in my eyes.”

“My mother would have been so happy if she were to be around but I know that to God be the glory wherever she is I know that she blessed her very well because I’m made to understand that the final person that was with her before she gave up the ghost to be with the Lord was this girl.”

“I hold her in high esteem. Yes, she’s a worthy daughter of the family and that is why I decided to stand with her. Today, I’m very happy. I feel fulfilled that we have successfully given a worthy daughter of our family out to a worthy son-in-law. Henceforth, it will be celebration and this is the beginning of celebration in our family. So, I’m happy.”

On his part, an obviously elated Chief Executive Officer of Kristina Reports, Godswill Jumbo congratulated the couple, commending their decision to spend their lives with each other, urging them to abide by the injunctions given by the cleric during the wedding ceremony.

“I’m happy to be in this wedding. It’s such a wonderful occasion, a beautiful couple and we are very excited about what has just happened. We expect that they will adhere to the tenets, the advice, the counsel that has been given by the man of God that they need to involve God in their marriage.”  

“They need to love one another and they need to respect each other and create fun within their marriage. We expect they are going to heed to that advice and that will help solidify, deepen and beautify their marriage.”  

Joined in marriage before a mammoth crowd comprising the clergy, church members, family, friends and well-wishers, the newlyweds pledged their love to each other and shared the joys of the auspicious occasion with everyone.

Highlight of the occasion was the wedding reception, photo sessions with the couple, musical presentations by The Apostolic Church Choir, sumptuous food and drinks and merry making.