The Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Akwa Ibom State, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, on Saturday, October 31, 2026, joined other well-wishers to celebrate her personal photographer, Mr Udeme Effiong, at the solemnisation of holy matrimony between him and his bride, Ukeme John.
The wedding, which took place at Glory World International Gospel Centre, Uyo, brought together family members from Udung Uko and Ikono, as well as friends and associates, to celebrate the couple as they embark on a new journey of marital life.
Speaking at the occasion, Lady Helen urged Ukeme and Udeme to intentionally work towards sustaining their love, praying for peace, love and harmony, in the union.
“This wedding ceremony has been sweet, for lack of a better word. And so, Udeme and Ukeme, your marriage must be sweet. You have no other choice. In the name of Jesus Christ, we speak sweetness to your marriage.
“Like I said, this wedding has been such a sweet experience. Just two young people in love and the joy that is so palpable in this room. I pray that it will speak into your marriage. You will have kids as many as you want. You will experience sweetness. That’s my prayer for you.”
She encouraged the couple to understand that marriage comes with challenging moments, urging them to remain committed to one another and regardless of the circumstances they may encounter.
“I don’t know why people say marriage is not a bed of roses. As a matter of fact, I beg to differ. Marriage is a bed of roses.
Why do I say that? Roses, as beautiful and as fragrant as they are, also have thorns. So it is a bed of roses. You just have to learn to trim your thorns and the marriage will be exactly what you want it to be,” she said.
She particularly advised the groom to make time for his wife, cautioning him against allowing work responsibilities to become an excuse for being frequently absent from the home.
Earlier in his sermon, the Senior Pastor of Glory World International Gospel Centre and officiating minister at the ceremony, Apostle Samuel Effiong, described love as the foundation of marriage, noting that any union in which love is compromised is bound to suffer. He added that love reflects the nature of God, stressing that being loving is an expression of godliness.
He noted that spouses should not expect their partners to come into marriage as finished products, but should be willing to help one another grow and become better. He also emphasised the importance of effective communication, urging couples to cultivate the willingness to listen to each other rather than always seeking to be heard.
The cleric further highlighted the importance of giving, care and kindness in marriage, observing that while it is possible to give without loving, it is impossible to love without giving. He encouraged them to support each other’s life purpose and build their relationship on mutual trust rather than control.
Apostle Effiong also urged the couple to cultivate a forgiving spirit, stressing the need to resolve disagreements and make up quickly rather than allow misunderstandings to linger.
The ceremony featured the exchange of vows and wedding rings by Ukeme and Udeme who also signed the marriage Register and cut the wedding cake.
The Coordinator of the office of the First Lady, Lady Helen Eno Obareki was accompanied to the ceremony by the Member representing Oron/Udung Uko State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Chief Kenim Onofiok; the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Inibehe Silas Etukudo; the Former Dean of the State Executive Council Dr Glory Edet; the Chairman of Ibeno Local Government Council – Glory Ekah and the SSA to the Governor on Health, Safety and Environment, Mrs Jayne Ufot.
Other dignitaries present were the Commissioner for Education, Professor Ubong Umoh and his wife Grace; the Chairman of Mkpat Enin Local Government Council, Engr Emmanuel Inyang and the President of WALGON, Mrs Akaninyene Udo.
