Rep Leke Abejide Urges Nigerians: Protect Your Homes from Economic Hardship
House of Representatives member Rt. Hon. Leke Abejide has issued a heartfelt appeal to Nigerians, urging them not to allow the prevailing economic hardship to destroy their homes. He emphasized that strong families are the bedrock of a stable society, speaking during a thanksgiving service in Abuja on Sunday.
Celebrating Milestones Amid Challenges
The event marked the 50th birthday of his wife, Deaconess Esther Modupe Abejide, and their 20th wedding anniversary at Christ Wisdom Gospel Church in Kubwa. Abejide, who represents Yagba Federal Constituency of Kogi State and chairs the House Committee on Customs and Excise, highlighted that the durability of any marriage relies on love, mutual respect, and adherence to godly principles.
"You sustain marriage with love as it is written in the book of Ephesians Chapter 5 — husbands should love their wives and wives should submit to their husbands. This principle has been working for us," he stated, cautioning couples against letting financial pressures weaken their homes.
Addressing Economic Realities
Abejide observed that despite widespread complaints about economic challenges, many Nigerians continue to make significant investments, such as building houses, buying vehicles, and traveling abroad. "My message to Nigerians is: don’t allow hunger and hardship to take away your marriage. Let God be your foundation. When you have God, things will fall into place," he advised.
He further noted, "You see people building houses, they say there is no money. You see estates springing up, people buying vehicles and travelling abroad. So we must not allow temporary hardship to destroy our homes."
Wife's Insights on Marriage Success
In her remarks, Deaconess Esther Abejide attributed the success of their 20-year union to love, understanding, and patience. She stressed the importance of faith, prayer, and sacrifice in building a lasting relationship. "The secret is love and understanding. Couples must understand each other, know what their partner likes and dislikes. With that, the marriage will last," she said.
She added, "With God in the marriage, through prayer and even fasting, it will stand." On balancing her role as a politician's wife with religious commitments, she described the experience as seamless, citing her love for people and happiness in social interactions.
Political Optimism and Criticism
Also speaking at the event, Senator Sunday Karimi, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Services and representative of Kogi West Senatorial District, expressed optimism about Nigeria's economic direction under President Bola Tinubu. He urged Nigerians to remain patient, stating, "There is hope. There is a renewed hope. Let me tell you what is happening, we are graduating from an economy that has no direction."
Karimi defended the administration's policies, comparing Nigeria's borrowing to that of the United States and highlighting Lagos as a model state. "But Tinubu came and said no. Let’s run a perfect economy. It’s not been easy. But I can promise you, we are moving to the promised land. Our economy is getting better," he asserted.
He dismissed opposition coalition efforts, labeling the actors as "the same old politicians" with nothing new to offer the country.
Event Highlights and Donation
The celebration was attended by political associates, family members, and well-wishers, who gathered to honor the couple's milestone. A notable highlight was the donation of an 18-seater 'hummer' bus to the church, symbolizing support for community and religious activities.
This event underscores the intersection of personal faith, family values, and political discourse in Nigeria, as leaders advocate for resilience amid economic challenges.
