My name is Vivian Aniakor. I am from Delta State. My husband is from here (Aguobu Iwollo village). I met my husband in Abuja, then we came back to live here. I have five children. We were living here in the village till my friend Oluchi told me that they needed someone here (in Iwollo Conference Centre), if I would like to take up the position. I was delighted; now we work together. Aunty Bola and her staff welcomed us and we started working.

Oluchi kept telling me about getting married in the Church and I said that I would so. I told her not to worry; that I will wed in the Church. Then Aunty Bola herself chimed in – wedding, wedding. Ah, I realised that this matter was getting serious! How will I do this? I asked. She said, speak with the priest. I met up with the priest and we started discussing this. He agreed to the wedding. My husband did not have a baptismal card. So he had to go through the process, and get the card. Then we went to the priest, who asked us to come and fill a form. We did, and things began to move!

Aunty Bola said she would support us and asked how she could do so. I said I was glad to accept her support. She did help, and all went well.

I am on top of the world! Wherever I go, people hail me, saying that I have won! I tell them that my heart is as sweet as sugar, that I can now receive the Body of Christ, and I am so happy that way.

What can you say to your fellow women in your situation?

O, I am so happy. I tell them that they should all come so that we can all be one in receiving the Body of Christ. They should make an effort! I tell those in my (women’s) Club who have not wedded to do so. Last week during Club, I told them to meet the priest, that it is quite simple, and that it does not take much to regularise their situation, and they all said they would. That’s it.

And your husband, how does he feel?

Haa, he is as pleased as Pollyanna! He keeps telling me he is glad that we have finally done our wedding in the Church, since it had been disturbing him. He is happy! This morning he looked at the ring, and says ‘Mama’s ring! We’ve really done our wedding!’’

And your kids? How do they feel?

Haa! My son that stays in Delta with my mum, he is very happy. Even the second one. My third boy, that is a mass server, says to me every morning ‘Mum, let’s go for Mass, you know that you have now wedded.’ So we all go! The kids are very happy! They like it!

Is there any other thing that you would like to tell us?

I would like to say thank you to all you priests that came! People say to me, three priests officiated at your wedding! That day was grand! And I say, that is how God wanted it, that the wedding that I did not do since, now happened with three priests. I thank God for how everything went so well! Father, thank you all so much for being there for me on that day.