By Ozioruva Aliu

BENIN CITY – IT was celebrations galore for the family of Elder Sunday Kpere –Daibo and his wife, Reverend Josephine Kpere-Daibo as their children, other family members, friends and well -wishers rolled out the red carpet for the celebration of their 60th wedding anniversary, 90th birthday of their father and the 80th of their mother in Benin City.

Kpere-Daibo who is a retired banker was described as a man of integrity and a visionary leader who started his banking career with Barclays Bank in Sapele in the then Midwest region before the bank later turned to Union bank.

The celebration which took place at the Uyi Grand International Event Centre attracted personalities including the Archbishop of the Church of God Mission International, Bishop Margaret Benson Idahosa, her son Bishop FEB Idahosa, community leaders like Elder Peter Ogbeide, leader of the Itsekiri Nation in Benin City, Chief Yahya Tesigiweno Pessu .

Bishop Margarete Idahosa who showered encomium on the lives of the celebrants said their marriage has been an example to marriages and believers just as she thanked God for preserving their lives.

Idahosa said, “The lives of the Daibo’s speak for them. I have always told them that their lives have been an example to the believers, marriages and an example to society. I want to thank God for their lives, what you say is what you do and above all since Christ found you, you have never looked back and I want to thank God for that.

“I just pray that God will keep you and extend your lives for all that you mean to the believers, don’t be ready to go yet because there is still more work to be done, your prayers, thoughts alone will mean a lot to them, thank God for 90 years. We are today celebrating you; to celebrate life, there are a lot of children when their parents are alive, they cannot give them turkey or goat to celebrate but when they are gone you begin to see cows but today, we are celebrating lives in abundance”.

On their parts, the celebrants admonished young couples to imbibed the virtues of tolerance, patience and abide by God’s principles to survive the turbulence of challenges.

Elder Kpere-Daibo said, “Today people are in so much of a hurry. They want everything to happen in a rush but during our era there was no time to rush. Imagine me having to wait for my wife for seven years and you know that was a long time searching because I don’t want to go through the back doors. Young couples must learn to be patient.”

One of the daughters of the couple, Mrs. Jolomi Abirhir described the celebration as awesome and that their parents have built a legacy worthy of emulation.

She said, “Today, my mother turned 80 and my daddy is 90. They are 60 years in marriage and it called for an awesome celebration. We are happy that they are alive, well and strong. They have left a wonderful legacy, my mother runs an NGO, and she has impacted many lives all over Nigeria and beyond. For us children, it is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate them while they are still alive, so we are very happy and grateful to God for this opportunity”.

Also, the son in-law, Eta Abirhir said it was an honour to be married to one of the Daibo’s, adding that it is better to celebrate people when they are alive.

“ I am very grateful to be part of this family. I joined this family through marriage in 2005, I knew I made the right decision, they accepted me and it has been bliss all the way. My father-in-law is energetic and I am grateful to God for giving him the strength and same to mummy.

“There is no place in the world where mummy will go and visit that people will not know about her. She has impacted people’s lives far and beyond and I am really grateful that God has kept them and they are celebrating 60 years in marriage and that is mind blowing. I believe in celebrating people while they are alive and thank God this is happening”.