A friend of one of the invitees at the traditional marriage of John Olushola Ojo and Olabisi Shobola held on Tuesday, 12th September, 2018 at the wife’s family compound in Fadipe street, off Singer bus-stop, Sango-Ota, Ogun State, could not hold his disbelief when shown the groom at whom he should focus the lens of his phone-camera.
It was an 84years old groom paying dowry of his 70years old wife having spent 46 years together as statutory husband and wife.
The memorable occasion which guests described as the traditional marriage of the millennium was discreetly performed in obeisance to the scriptural injunction which is in line with the cultural values.
Pastor Ojo whose response calmed nerves of some who were curious about the timing of the dowry, said, “it was not because of disrespect of any form to my in-laws or Yoruba traditions, neither because of my financial background but due to the position of my wife’s uncle who was the bread-winner of the family”.
Pastor John Olushola Ojo who is the founder of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Odi-Ajaye Zone, Nigeria and Overseas, furthered, “I am paying my wife’s dowry today after forty-six years in marriage because over the years, my in-laws would not allow me to do it.
“My wife’s uncle preferred to enter into inlawship with his colleague who also was a senior railway driver in Yaba, Lagos”.
Going into the details, Pastor Ojo, the only surviving child of his mother narrated that having fell in love with the funny character of young Olabisi, he did not waste time to propose to her, fortunately ‘Bisi agreed.
But her uncle would not agree. Pastor Ojo said, “on many occasions, her uncle will beat her to coma so that she could denounced me. Because of Bisi’s determination to marry me, she would not change her mind even when her uncle took her to Kafanchan, Northern part of Nigeria, with the belief that distance will remove my love form her heart.
“One day, after serial persecutions, Bisi returned to me and assured me that even if I had married five wives, she is ready to become the sixth.
“When all persuasions to make my inlaws accept their daughters bride price from me failed, the General Superintendent of the Christ Apostolic Church, Nigeria, advised us to go by statutory marriage through which we were certified as husband and wife in 1972”.
“Few years into our marriage, my inlaws had change of heart; since then we had maintained a good rappour.
“For example, when her father was critically ill, we took proper care of him as he was brought to our house until he was fit to return home.
“In fact, the relationship with all my inlaws had been so cordial such that nobody is asking for bride price anymore but because of my belief as a Christian, bride price is a must in God’s view, so I must pay it at least if it is to show how much I value my dear wife - Olabisi.
“Today I give all glory to God for spearing my life to see today. I have to tell you that my mother gave birth to four children before me. Three died within a short period.
“As my mother decided to have one more, I was about six months old in her womb when the fourth child died.
“I was born at a Revival Ground organized by the Late Apostle Ayo Babalola and Evangelist Babajide at Oke-Oye Ilesha.
“In fact, according to the secrets revealed to me, part of the plan was to have me killed before I was born in the twelveth month at a weeklong revival program by Apostile Babajide. I will forever be grateful to my mother’s elder brother. Chief Judge Abioye Olufayo, the Aro of Ilare-Ijesha.
He fought vigorously to an extent that the people of Ilare till this date would believe he is my biological father as much as he did to save my mother from that untimely and painful death. But inspite of all his efforts, my mother could not survive it with her sixth child inside her”, he lamented.
Fielding questions from journalists, the bride, Olabisi Shobola, said, she determined to marry John Olushola because of his poor background.
“I can take care of him, I concluded as my parents were financially buoyant - my mother was a produce buyer while my father was a commercial farmer. But to my people, he was poor beyond redemption, they called him one-man-one-jacket; it took much pacification before I was allowed to marry him”.
Reflecting on their marital life, Iya Ojo as fondly called gave all glory to God for sustaining them.
“I thank God for his mercy on both us, our children inclusive for whom we have become today. I have to thank specially for his special kindness to me. Up till this moment, I have never had any course to regret that I married him.
“Most especially, I am grateful that I am also among those women who were married traditionally; appreciating me before my people by given them my dowry, I am indeed happy that it happened to me” she concluded.
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