By Perpetua Egesimba

It was a day that would remain memorable for the family of Dr. Jossy Nkwocha, an erudite journalist, and his wife, Joy, as they celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary recently.

Nkwocha is head of corporate communications, Indorama Nigeria. Besides the wedding anniversary, his wife also celebrated her 50th birthday at the Church of Pentecost, Anglican Communion, FESTAC, Lagos.

The event kicked off with a church service, where the officiating priest, Venerable Israel Owoyele, blessed the couple. He said God that brought them together would see them through their marital life. 

He advised the couple to continue to love each other and renew the covenant of God to each other, adding that they should regard their marriage as if they were just starting.

“Value your union and see it as a precious gift from God,” he said.

Many people at the event testified that, apart from being a couple, Nkwocha and his wife were best friends with similar approaches to issues.

Sharing their love story, the husband, who was visibly excited, relived how his sister had recommended Joy for him, describing her as a virtuous woman: “She was recommended to me by my sister. Joy was at the University of Jos and my sister saw her and thought that she would make a wonderful wife.

“At the end of the day, all that my sister talked about her were seen. Therefore, I want to give glory to God and thank my sister for being foresighted.”

The proud father of five also recounted how the marital journey had been very fruitful, adding that one of their kids graduated with a first class in the United States of America.

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“It has been a journey of excellence, a journey to give glory to God, a journey of uncommon grace from God and a journey of true love,” he enthused.

Nkwocha described his wife as a virtuous woman with a gentle spirit and one in a million: “She is just simple. In my absence, she represents me well and manages my finances very well.”

In her speech, Joy said the relationship between she and her husband was not love at first sight. She described Nkwocha, as homely, God-fearing and a good friend.

“I fell in love with him because I discovered that he is homely, God-fearing. He is a father, a good friend, a family man and a good counsellor. Ours wasn’t love at first sight.”

At the early stage of their marital lives, the couple said there were stumbling blocks, but, with patience and tolerance, they were able to overcome the challenges.

Hon. Oscar Nwaogu, who was the bestman when the couple wedded 25 years ago, expressed joy that the relationship was waxing stronger. He said he felt honoured to celebrate with the couple once again.

He said, “I am so honoured to be here again today. I was here 25 years ago as the bestman. You see, Jossy and I have known each other beyond 25 years. We met in 1983 when we went into the school of journalism. After that, we worked together at Newswatch Magazine, where this love was cemented. He told me then, ‘Look Oscar, I want you to be my bestman.’ I was so excited because Joy was a wonderful woman. The wedding came and was very successful and since then they have been so successful.”

He said the couple was loved by all, they were wonderful and exemplary, adding that both Nkwocha and his wife have achieved much together.

“Jossy is very industrious and was the first in our set to have a Ph.D. My message to them is that they should keep holding on. They should keep loving each other because there is no reason to doubt that they are in love. It is obvious that they are and it has really worked for them. Couples who have gathered here today should emulate their style because they are a wonderful couple,” he said.

The event was graced by top media executives, management and staff of Indorama, members of the couple’s town union and others.