The  wife of Nyesom Wike Governor of Rivers state, Justice Suzzette, this morning shared their love story
with her hubWike which started at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology as they  celebrate their 17th wedding anniversary
today Read 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 Facaulty 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 Facaulty 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 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 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 m.



You
promised to give me the world at that time but you have 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, 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 and put less, 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 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 Ezenwo Nyesom
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.”