Rivers State First Lady, Justice Suzette Nyesom-Wike shared her love story with her husband Governor Nyesom
Wike on Facebook. In celebration of their 17th wedding anniversary
yesterday, the beautiful First Lady, who is not shy of PDA with her hubby, recounted how she met her husband while in
the University and their journey so far.
"It's funny how life sometimes takes us where we never plan or expect to
go. For three years, we sat in the same lecture rooms and halls but never
passed a word between each other. It was only after I chanced upon his law note
books in the possession of a mutual classmate that everything changed.
At that time, the law books in our library were expired and in most cases not
available and we had to find other means to report our Nigerian case law. Most
of us resorted to copying from others who had lawyer friends they visited in
chambers and while there, used their law reports/books.
Thankfully, the situation is different today as not only has our Governor
completed the long, abandoned building of the Faculty of Law, Rivers State
University of Science and Technology, but he has also furnished it and equipped
the law library with modern books, law reports and even e-resources. The
current students there are lucky to benefit from this upgrade as theirs is now
a standard Faculty of Law.
It surprised me then, to realize that he was indeed a serious minded student
and not as I had earlier perceived. His notes were up to date as he took time
to report more cases than were cited by our lecturers, which necessarily meant
better grades if you can put them all down in your answer sheets during tests
and examinations.
I immediately coveted that notebook and pleaded with my classmate to loan me
the book after she had finished, promising to return it in two days. She
refused. Another request with the promise to return it in one day as I was
prepared to sit up all night copying those cases, was declined . My last plea
to photocopy the notebook and return it immediately fell on deaf ears. She told
me to seek the permission of the owner, with the belief that I wouldn't dare.
And of course, she was right to think that as she knew that we had never once
spoken to each other. At that point, I inquired from her, his name. She replied
simply: "Wike". I wondered how odd that name sounded as I'd never
heard it before. I also wondered how to approach him as I believed that he
disliked me as much as I did him.
But the desire to have that fully loaded note book was too strong. I could not
give up without at least, making an attempt. As he passed by us, I called his
name as I had just learnt: "excuse me, Wike". He froze and I noticed his
shock and disbelief. I started putting my words together, expecting him to
scowl at me, thinking in his head - "Oh! So you have decided to talk to me
now that you need my notebook eh?'
He didn't let me complete my request. He caught the drifrt so fast and he spoke
to our mutual classmate, telling her to give me his note book after she had
finished with it and he walked off. It was now my turn to be in shock! After I
recovered, I started putting the heat on our classmate to give me the book
asap.
One borrowed book led to another and yet another borrowed book and soon after,
we became friends. I got to see the hardworking, focused, studios and serious
minded person he was and still is. Before Iong, there was a marriage proposal.
I declined as I didn't see myself as the marrying kind but he wouldn't give up.
He said to me that the moment he first set his eyes on me when he joined us in
our second year out of the more than five years I was in that institution, he
knew already that I was going to be his wife. That got me even more confused.
Having noted all the qualities I had noticed in him, I knew that he was a man
with very great prospects or potentials for success, as I'd told him then.
I therefore decided to accept his proposal and took a chance, believing that he
would make me a happy woman. Today, the 19th of December, marks the 17th year
we have been together as a married couple. He is a man that has exhibited
excellent taste .... no wonder he chose and continues to choose me .
He promised to give me the world at that time but he has given me much more
than I could have ever asked for. Our three adorable children are a testimony
to that fact and I can't tell you enough, how fulfilled I feel.
Please permit me to use this medium to share some of the life lessons I have
learnt in these past 17 years of marriage, especially in reaching out to
encourage our youths who have skewed perceptions about marriage.
You have to make the right decision about your marriage. I made a decision to
become a happy wife 17 years ago, by contributing to build a happy marriage. I
learnt that marriage in itself doesn't make you happy. You have to make your
marriage a happy one. Marriage is not what you get. Marriage is what you bring,
what you give and what you do.
There is no perfect marriage or perfect couples. Rather, when two imperfect
friends honour and celebrate each other, they are empowered to build up a great
blossoming marriage with flourishing children.
Marriage, it has been said, is likened to an empty box that couples should
labour to fill up with all the good things they want in their marriage -
friendship, understanding, respect, love, etc. Love does not come packaged with
any marriage. Love is in people and people put love in marriage. People infuse
romance in marriage. Same thing with all the other values.
A couple must practice the art and form the habit of giving, loving, serving,
forgiving, rewarding, praising, and just keeping the marriage box full always.
If you take more out and put less in, the box empties out.
Let us challenge ourselves to work harder at achieving happier marriages. It
will lead to more harmonious homes and communities and eventually a more
prosperous and peaceful Rivers State. That is how powerful and endowed married
couples are.
I recall, after we became engaged, attending a conference at Christ Church in
December, 1996 where Selwyn Hughes, the initiator of the daily devotional
called "every day with Jesus" featured and spoke to the young ones
(at that time) about marriage. I bought his book then titled: Marriage as God
intended.
Rev. Mossy Madugba authographed the book on his behalf and on my request as it
wasn't possible for me to meet the author after the occasion. He wrote these
words on the first page - "Blossom where you are planted". Indeed, I
can say without any fear of any contradiction, that by the grace of God, I have
blossomed and will keep blossoming where the Lord, God has planted me.
Today, on this occasion of our 17th marriage anniversary, I celebrate my
hardworking classmate, friend, lover and husband .... Nyesom Ezenbunwo Wike
CON. We have been through thick, thin and thinner but just like old wine, it
keeps getting better with time.
Happy 17th Marriage Anniversary to you, my love. May we forever stay young in
each others eyes."
Happy wedding anniversary
to His Excellency and the amiable First Lady. Here are some of the pictures
