Love And Tradition: Why Nigerian Parents Still Choose Spouses For Their Children

Love and Tradition: Why Nigerian Parents Still Choose Spouses for Their Children

This is a story of  love, tradition, and the wahala wey dey come with parents choosing spouse for their children. This tori go teach us about the balance between respecting our culture and finding our own path.

Once upon a time, for one small village wey dey for Nigeria, dey live one young lady wey dem dey call Ada. Ada na fine girl wey get good heart. She dey hardworking and her parents dey proud of her. But Ada get one issue wey dey disturb her mind – her parents don decide say na dem go choose husband for her.

Ada parents, Mama Nkechi and Papa Chinedu, believe say dem sabi wetin good for their pikin. For their own time, na parents dey choose spouse for their children and e dey work well. Dem want the same thing for Ada. But Ada get different idea. She believe say love suppose be something wey she go choose by herself.

One evening, Mama Nkechi and Papa Chinedu call Ada come sit down for parlor. Mama Nkechi clear her throat, “Ada, my pikin, we don see one fine young man wey go make good husband for you. Him name na Emeka, him family dey respectable, and him get good job.”

Ada heart skip beat. She don hear about Emeka before. He be good man, but Ada no get any feeling for am. She gather courage, “Mama, Papa, I appreciate wetin una dey do. But I no feel anything for Emeka. I believe say I suppose marry person wey I love.”

Papa Chinedu shake him head, “Ada, love no be everything. Marriage na about stability, respect, and family background. We dey do this for your own good.”

Ada feel tears for her eyes, but she no want disrespect her parents. She respect their wisdom, but she believe say she get right to choose who she go spend the rest of her life with. She remember say for Jeremiah 29:11, the Bible talk say, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” She pray for guidance.

Days turn into weeks, and the pressure from her parents no reduce. Ada decide to talk to her best friend, Kemi. Kemi dey always get good advice. “Kemi, my parents want make I marry Emeka. I no get feeling for am, but dem dey insist say na the right choice.”

Kemi listen well well, “Ada, this na serious matter. But you need to follow your heart. Marriage na lifetime commitment. If you no love the person, e go hard to find happiness. Proverbs 3:5-6 talk say, ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.’ Pray and ask God for direction.”

Ada take Kemi advice, she pray for wisdom and courage. One day, she gather enough courage to talk to her parents again. “Mama, Papa, I respect una decision, but I beg make una allow me choose my own path. I want marry person wey I love and respect.”

Mama Nkechi and Papa Chinedu see the determination for Ada eyes. Mama Nkechi sigh, “Ada, we dey do this because we love you. We want the best for you. But we go respect your decision. Just remember say we dey here to support you.”

Ada feel relief wash over her. She thank her parents for their understanding. Few months later, Ada meet one young man, Chidi, wey she fall in love with. Chidi na kind-hearted and hardworking man. Ada introduce Chidi to her parents, and dem see say the love between them na genuine.

Mama Nkechi and Papa Chinedu bless their union, and Ada and Chidi marry for big celebration. Ada learn say sometimes, e good to stand up for wetin you believe in, but also respect the wisdom of your parents. She realize say love and respect go hand in hand.

This tori na reminder say balance dey important for life. We fit respect our traditions and still find our own path. Parents dey choose spouse for their children because dem want the best for them, but at the end, na the heart wey go live the love story.

My people, make we remember say love na powerful thing. E dey important to marry person wey we love and respect. But make we also respect our parents and their wisdom. E get as e go be, balance and understanding go lead us to happiness.

For Matthew 19:6, the Bible talk say, “So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” Make we trust God to guide us in our choices and bless our unions.

Thank you for reading.  Until next time, make we dey stay strong in faith, love, and respect. God bless you all.