Betty-Anyanwu, wife of Rotimi Akeredolu, Ondo State governor in Nigeria celebrated her husband on the occasion of their 40th wedding anniversary.
The first lady who also spoke of her ideals about marriage, affirmed that it is not a bed of roses.
She said she and her husband were able to come this far by making use of the communication tool and by understanding each other better.
Betty-Anyanwu, who is an indigene of Emeabiam in Owerri, Imo State, cited that despite the fact that she and the governor are from different tribes, she enjoyed total support from her spouse.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better husband. In fact, my crossing the Niger was worth it,” she said.
She said for people of different backgrounds to survive marriage, there is a need for them to identify each other’s likes and dislikes.
The governor’s wife also advised young couples to give space to each other for growth in the union.
Betty-Anyanwu, however, frowned at situations where a woman is subjugated due to her husband’s lack of support in her career advancement.
She also praised her late father and the governor for giving her the liberty to explore her potential.
“There is nothing more depressing than for an educated woman to feel suffocated in marriage due to husband’s lack of support in her career advancement or in some extreme cases, outright stoppage of a wife pursuing a career for fear of a woman having a voice in her home or being in control of her wealth,” the governor’s wife said.
“This state of mind leads to frustration and an unhappy home. Its ramification is better imagined. My case is different. My husband and I believed in building our home together and from the scratch.
“With love and understanding, we feel fulfilled, today, 40 years. While my father gave me the wings to fly, my husband oiled the wings for me to soar. I have a supportive husband in all my endeavours.
“There will be quarrels and fights but once you understand yourselves, each other’s likes and dislikes and give room for compromise, your marriage will last”.
According to the mother of four who also has grandchildren, her marriage to the Ondo State governor came as love at first sight which could have been a physical attraction but it endured the test of time.
“Ours is, indeed, a true love. As love leads into marriage, you do not rest on your oars. You have to work on it to keep the flame aglow. It requires understanding each other and the handy tool is communication,” she added.
“Once you can communicate with each other, it becomes easy to iron out your differences. Make no mistake, marriage is not a bed of roses. Roses, after all, have thorns.”
The couple tied the knot in 1981.
