By Tayo Onimisi Omodaiye, Lokoja
Real love is like the Sun. When it shines, there is no denial of its existence.
It is interesting that most religions, especially Islam, does not invalidate the concept of love nor does it forbid it. Love is not merely described as an action but also as one of the divine names of God, Al Wadud, which means "The Most Loving".
This goes a long way to tell us that love plays a very significant part, not just in the lives of human beings, but also in the whole of creation.
My trip to Minna, the State Capital of Niger State to witness the marriage ceremony of Engr. Iliyasu Sadiq Omodaiye and Aisha Dauda was fascinating.
It was indeed, moments we saw destiny being fulfilled for Engr. Iliyasu Sadiq Omodaiye and Aisha Dauda.
Engr. Iliyasu has not only gone to Minna to study in the University for a degree, he was also smart enough to spot Aisha, the Love of his Life in Barikin Sale area of Niger State.
He succeeded in achieving two things in a single action. One would be correct to say that he's a sharpshooter and a good marksman. The man who pulled the trigger once to hit two targets.
"A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.” — Mignon McLaughlin.
No doubt, marriage is one of the most beautiful experiences of human life. Even though it varies between tribes and ethnicity due to the diversity of culture and religion, there's always a centrepoint bringing everything together.
In Minna, I saw rare combinations of traditions, fused into one. Yes, I agree with you that It's a common practice in Nigeria to combine practices of major religions with local religious traditions, but in this case, it was the combinations of cultures/traditions ( Hausa, Ebira, Nupe and Ogori/Magongo) and also ensuring all were performed within the tenets of the religion of Islam.
For Engr. Iliyasu, he has gotten a fresh name for Aisha.
"Henceforth, I will call her, "Meka-awoni".
Meka-awoni literally means, 'She's Mine". It's a word in Osayin, the Language of the people of Magongo, a town in Ogori/Magongo LGA of Kogi State.
Relating with Engr. Iliyasu, he said getting married is a sunnah of the holy prophet of Islam, Muhammad (SAW).
His words took me to the verses of the Hadiths were the prophet advised muslims to marry. The Prophet of Islam said he forbade the practice of celibacy.
In another narration, the holy prophet said "Marriage is my precept and my practice. Those who do not follow my practice are not of me."
There's another verse of the Hadiths were the prophet said, "When a man has married, he has completed one half of his religion."
For Aisha, she said Iliyasu is her "Onimisi', (My beloved) as she constantly gives him a beautiful smile.
The contagious smiles could be one of the many reasons she was so endeared to her hubby. Indeed, a smile is the best thing a woman can wear.
To Mr and Mrs Iliyasu Sadiq Omodaiye, I join your well wishers to congratulate you and wish you well. I pray the blessings of Allah comes upon your home now and always.
Congratulations my brother and friend.
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