Don’t allow economic pressure to destroy your home, Abejide tells Nigerians

Leke Abejide, the member representing Yagba East, Yagba West, and Mopa Moro Federal Constituency of Kogi State, and Chairman of the House Committee on Customs and Excise, urged Nigerians not to let prevailing economic conditions undermine family stability.

He advised citizens to build their homes on love, mutual understanding, and faith in God, rather than allowing financial pressures to dictate family outcomes.

Abejide spoke during a thanksgiving service held to mark his 20th wedding anniversary and the 50th birthday of his wife, Deaconess Esther Modupe Abejide, at Christ Wisdom Gospel Church, Kubwa.

He said lasting marriages are sustained by core values anchored on love and respect, citing Ephesians 5 as a guiding principle for marital harmony.

“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 said.

He cautioned against allowing economic hardship to weaken family structures, urging couples to remain committed and resilient. He also noted that despite economic concerns, many Nigerians continue to make significant personal and business investments.

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He said, "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.

“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".

On her part, Deaconess Esther Abejide attributed the success of their 20-year union to love, understanding, and patience, and emphasised the importance of faith, prayer, and sacrifice in building a lasting relationship.

“The secret is love and understanding. Couples must understand each other and know what their partner likes and dislikes. With that, the marriage will last. With God in the marriage, through prayer and even fasting, it will stand,” she added.

On managing her role as the wife of a politician alongside her religious commitments, she said, “It is easy for me because I love people and I am always happy to be around them, so it has not been difficult to cope,” she said.

Also speaking at the event, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Services and Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Sunday Karimi, expressed optimism about Nigeria’s economic direction under President Bola Tinubu, urging Nigerians to remain patient.

The lawmaker said, "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. When the country starts printing money, it's a fake country. That was what was happening.

"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. Don't mind the borrowing, they are talking about. Check the US and its debt. It's in trillions of dollars, but the economy is running well.

"Look at Lagos. Lagos is a shining example of a state that we ought to look up to in Nigeria. That is what Tinubu is doing for us.

We need to be patient. Nigeria is getting better. By God's grace, he is coming back to continue the work he is doing.

Karimi dismissed opposition coalition efforts, describing the actors as “the same old politicians” with nothing new to offer the country.

The event, which was attended by political associates, family members, and well-wishers who gathered to celebrate the couple’s milestone, also witnessed the donation of an 18-seater 'Hummer' bus to the Church.