Clerics Urge Nigerians To Involve God As Victor Weds Heartthrob Augustina In Kaduna

By Frederick Peters, KADUNA

NEWSDAILYNIGERIA — Catholic priests have called on families and Nigerians to rededicate their lives to God to lift the nation out of its current economic and social challenges toward destined greatness.

​The appeal was made during the wedding solemnization mass of Mr. and Mrs. Victor Duniya D. Ibrahim, held on Saturday at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, Kakuri, Kaduna.

​The ceremony was well-attended by dignitaries, including the political class, laity, and a large gathering of priests from the Catholic Archdiocese of Kaduna, as well as the Dioceses of Kafanchan, Zaria, and Kano.
​

Delivering the homily at the concelebrated mass, Reverend Father Alexander Akaat Sheyin—a priest of the Zaria Diocese working in Kano Diocese—drew reflections from Sirach, the letters of St. Paul, and the Gospel of John (Chapter 2, detailing the wedding at Cana).

He urged the couple to keep Christ at the center of their home. “Just like Jesus helped them at the wedding at Cana when they ran short of wine because His mother invited Him to intervene, they overcame that issue,” Father Akaat Sheyin said. “If they allow Jesus in their family, that is how, by the grace of God, they will always overcome all troubles.”

​Turning his focus to contemporary national issues, the cleric lamented that Nigeria has lost touch with its creator, with many attempting to solve systemic problems outside of divine principles.
​”Politics in Nigeria has taken a turn where God is not even considered. People don’t involve God in their lives, and that is why we do things the way we want and fail to love those under us,” he noted.

​He also addressed systemic corruption across various tiers of society, adding: “The problem is not just the leaders. The market woman is corrupt, the businessman is corrupt, teachers are corrupt, civil servants are corrupt—everybody is corrupt. Why? Because we do not involve God in our lives and affairs. Until we learn to do that, we will keep getting ourselves into deeper problems.”

​
​The Chief Celebrant of the mass, Reverend Father Godwin Shabanyan Peter—a priest of the Kafanchan Diocese on mission at St. John of the Cross Parish, Gidan Kurma, Katsina Diocese—shared a personal connection to the groom.

​”Victor is my brother; we are first cousins. Our mothers are from the same parents, and we grew up together, sleeping on the same bed,” Father Peter said, expressing warm wishes for peace and blessings upon their union.

​The Parish Priest of St. Andrew’s, Reverend Father Lucas Auta, offered practical guidance on marital endurance, emphasizing mutual respect and unconditional love.

​”Marriage is the coming together of two imperfect beings; there is no perfection,” Father Auta stated.

“The husband is called to love his wife, and the wife is called to submit to her husband. The submission of a wife is not a slave-master dynamic—another word for that submission is respect. A man is wired to love, and a woman is naturally wired to submit. When there is sacrificial love from the man, he will certainly earn sacrificial submission.”

​Relating these domestic principles to leadership and national development, Father Auta challenged leaders to show genuine compassion for the masses, while reminding citizens of their civic responsibilities ahead of the upcoming political cycle.

​
​Reflecting on his wedding day, the groom, Mr. Victor Duniya, described the experience as deeply refreshing and joyful.

Commenting on what endeared him to his bride, he said, “Grace and destiny. She’s caring, she’s loving, and she’s patient.”

​The bride, Mrs. Godiya Augustina Victor brahim, shared her excitement, stating, “I feel so happy, and it’s a great day. I love him, and we understand each other better. He’s a nice person, kind, and he loves and adores me so dearly.”

​An uncle and friend of the groom, Mr. Dauda Aku, expressed delight at the milestone, noting that friends had long anticipated the union.

He advised the newlyweds to anchor their marriage on patience, tolerance, and unconditional love.