It may sound unbelievable, yet it happened in Lagos State recently at the wedding ceremony of Pastor Oghale Ighele, 29, and Dr Clementina Agbate, 28, which took place at Marcillina’s Place, GRA Ikeja.
There were doubts and reactions from guests when the officiating Minister and Presiding Bishop of Holy Spirit Mission, Charles Ighele revealed that both the bride and groom were virgins at their ages till they got married.
But shortly, many were convinced, after hearing directly from the couple. The development was seen as a rare feat, especially at the present day computer age where many are seen to disvirgin between the ages of 15 and 20.
Speaking with Sunday Sun, the bride, who was said to have joined the Holy Spirit Mission (Happy Family Centre), at the age of two, did not mince words on saying that she was a virgin and that it was a vow she made while growing up.
The groom also expressed happiness and fulfillment for getting married according to God’s directives. “God is my strength, and one thing that made it possible is the christian upbringing I had and I thank God and my parents for that.”
He disclosed that there were temptations from many areas, but said that counseling helped him to win the battle and brought him so far. “While I was growing up, my parents kept hammering on the need for me to keep myself and never mess up and I heeded their advice. I tried to make friends who would not deceive me into having sex before marriage. I was also fully involved in church activities and I thank God for guiding me.”
The bride, fulfilling the vow was one of the best things that would happen to her. “I am happy and fulfilled marrying as a virgin, though it was not an easy thing to do. I took the decision of remaining a virgin till I get married when I was a teenager. Meanwhile, I grew up in a Christian home. So, I had to keep myself.”
She said marrying as a virgin at 28 was challenging, as temptations and trials became enormous through out the period. “It was not easy for me. I was severally tempted by my lecturers while in the university. Friends also tried to lure me into fornication and men asked me out. In fact, I went through so many challenges. But what guided me was God and my principle.”
Agbate advised those that are yet to marry to have faith in God because, at the end, there will surely be successful and happily married.
Also, commenting on the couple, one of the officiating ministers who joined the couple together , Bishop Charles Ighele commended them for keeping themselves till they got married, despite temptations.
The bishop noted that what the new couple did is exemplary and not common in the present day computer age.
He explained that it only takes strong faith in God, commitment and self discipline for one to remain a virgin for up to 28 and 29 years of age.
Bishop Ighele who is the father of the groom said the young man was not the only one among the his children that married as a virgin.
