The wife of Rivers state governor, Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike shared love story of how she met her husband, Nyesom Wike in school. They are celebrating 17th marriage anniversary today!
See the story as shared on Facebook by the Rivers state First Lady, below:
"It's
funny how life sometimes takes us where we never plan or expect to go.
For three years, we sat in the same lecture rooms and halls but never
passed a word between each other. It was only after I chanced upon his
law note books in the possession of a mutual classmate that everything
changed.
At that time, the law books in our library were expired and in most cases not available and we had to find
other means to report our Nigerian case law. Most of us resorted to
copying from others who had lawyer friends they visited in chambers and
while there, used their law reports/books.
Thankfully, the
situation is different today as not only has our Governor completed the
long, abandoned building of the Faculty of Law, Rivers State University
of Science and Technology, but he has also furnished it and equipped the
law library with modern books, law reports and even e-resources. The
current students there are lucky to benefit from this upgrade as theirs
is now a standard Faculty of Law.
It surprised me then, to
realize that he was indeed a serious minded student and not as I had
earlier perceived. His notes were up to date as he took time to report
more cases than were cited by our lecturers, which neccesarily meant
better grades if you can put them all down in your answer sheets during
tests and examinations.
I immediately coveted that notebook and
pleaded with my classmate to loan me the book after she had finished,
promising to return it in two days. She refused. Another request with
the promise to return it in one day as I was prepared to sit up all
night copying those cases, was declined . My last plea to photocopy the
notebook and return it immediately fell on deaf ears. She told me to
seek the permission of the owner, with the belief that I wouldnt dare.
And of course, she was right to think that as she knew that we had
never once spoken to each other. At that point, I inquired from her, his
name. She replied simply: "Wike". I wondered how odd that name sounded
as I'd never heard it before. I also wondered how to approach him as I
believed that he disliked me as much as I did him.
But the
desire to have that fully loaded note book was too strong. I could not
give up without at least, making an attempt. As he passed by us, I
called his name as I had just learnt: "excuse me, Wike". He froze and I
noticed his shock and disbelief. I started putting my words together,
expecting him to scowl at me, thinking in his head - "Oh! So you have
decided to talk to me now that you need my notebook eh?'
He
didn't let me complete my request. He caught the drifrt so fast and he
spoke to our mutual classmate, telling her to give me his note book
after she had finished with it and he walked off. It was now my turn to
be in shock! After I recovered, I started putting the heat on our
classmate to give me the book asap.
One borrowed book led to
another and yet another borrwed book and soon after, we became friends. I
got to see the hardworking, focused, studios and serious minded person
he was and still is. Before Iong, there was a marriage proposal. I
declined as I didn't see myself as the marrying kind but he wouldn't
give up.
He said to me that the moment he first set his eyes on
me when he joined us in our second year out of the more than five years
I was in that institution, he knew already that I was going to be his
wife. 
😄
That got me even more confused. Having noted all the qualities I had
noticed in him, I knew that he was a man with very great prospects or
potentials for success, as I'd told him then.
I therefore
decided to accept his proposal and took a chance, believing that he
would make me a happy woman. Today, the 19th of December, marks the 17th
year we have been together as a married couple. He is a man that has
exhibited excellent taste .... no wonder he chose and continues to
choose me . 
😉
He promised to give me the world at that time but he has given me much
more than I could have ever asked for. Our three adorable children are a
testimony to that fact and I can't tell you enough, how fulfilled I
feel.
Please permit me to use this medium to share some of the
life lessons I have learnt in these past 17 years of marriage,
especially in reaching out to encourage our youths who have skewed
perceptions about marriage.
You have to make the right decision
about your marriage. I made a decision to become a happy wife 17 years
ago, by contributing to build a happy marriage. I learnt that marriage
in itself doesn't make you happy. You have to make your marriage a happy
one. Marriage is not what you get. Marriage is what you bring, what you
give and what you do.
There is no perfect marriage or perfect
couples. Rather, when two imperfect friends honour and celebrate each
other, they are empowered to build up a great blossoming marriage with
flourishing children.
Marriage, it has been said, is likened to
an empty box that couples should labour to fill up with all the good
things they want in their marriage - friendship, understanding, respect,
love, etc. Love does not come packaged with any marriage. Love is in
people and people put love in marriage. People infuse romance in
marriage. Same thing with all the other values.
A couple must
practice the art and form the habit of giving, loving, serving,
forgiving, rewarding, praising, and just keeping the marriage box full
always. If you take more out and put less in, the box empties out.
Let us challenge ourselves to work harder at achieving happier
marriages. It will lead to more harmonious homes and communities and
eventually a more prosperous and peaceful Rivers State. That is how
powerful and endowed married couples are.
I recall, after we
became engaged, attending a conference at Christ Church in December,
1996 where Selwyn Hughes, the initiator of the daily devotional called
"every day with Jesus" featured and spoke to the young ones (at that
time 😄) about marriage. I bought his book then titled: Marriage as God intended.
Rev. Mossy Madugba authographed the book on his behalf and on my
request as it wasn't possible for me to meet the author after the
occasion. He wrote these words on the first page - "Blossom where you
are planted". Indeed, I can say without any fear of any contradiction,
that by the grace of God, I have blossomed and will keep blossoming
where the Lord, God has planted me.
Today, on this occasion of
our 17th marriage anniversary, I celebrate my hardworking classmate,
friend, lover and husband .... Nyesom Ezenbunwo Wike CON. We have been
through thick, thin and thinner but just like old wine, it keeps getting
better with time.
Happy 17th Marriage Anniversary to you, my love. May we forever stay young in each others eyes."
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