The Premier Mayor of Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area and current member of the Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU) Governing Council, Dr. Elelenta Nwambuisi Elele, and his wife, Dr. Mrs. Melody Elele, on Saturday, August 15, 2026, celebrated 40 years of marriage in a colourful ceremony that brought together prominent political leaders, academics, traditional stakeholders, family members, friends and associates from across Abia State and beyond.
The Ruby Wedding Anniversary ceremony, held at the NOBIK International Event Centre in Aba, Abia State, was marked by emotional testimonies, prayers, reflections on marriage, tributes to the couple and renewed vows, as guests celebrated four decades of companionship and family life.
Among the distinguished personalities at the event were Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR and Wife, Mrs. Priscilla Chidinma Otti; members of the National and State Assemblies; commissioners; local government chairmen and councillors; Labour Party leaders; members of the ABSU Governing Council; academics, friends and associates of the Elele family.
Delivering the anniversary sermon, guest minister Rev. Prof. Nzorta based his message on 1 Corinthians 2:9, while congratulating Dr. Elelenta and Dr. Melody Elele for successfully completing 40 years of marriage.
The cleric, who disclosed that he has been married for 32 years, described marriage as an institution created by God and drew references from Genesis 2:18 and 2:24, as well as Ephesians 5:25-33.
He emphasised companionship, commitment and mutual love as essential ingredients for a lasting marriage, urging the couple to remain steadfast in their love and faith as they enter another chapter of their marital journey.
Giving his testimony and renewing his marital vows, Dr. Elelenta Nwambuisi Elele took guests through the remarkable story of how his relationship with his wife began, tracing their acquaintance to their childhood years and recounting how their friendship eventually blossomed into marriage.
He recalled that he left home at the age of 23, while Melody was 13, noting that he had known her since she was about five years old because she was from a neighbouring village.
According to him, his journey took a significant turn after he received a scholarship in 1976 to study engineering in the United States.
“I left home at 23 and she was 13. I had known this lady when she was 5 right after the war as she was from the next village. But believe me, when I got a scholarship in 1976 to study engineering in USA. I was surprised when a 13 years old from the next village approached me… I’m a lucky man.
He further recalled an encounter with Melody when she became a college student, saying he asked whether she had a farm and requested that she bring him vegetables from it.
“3 hours later, there was Ugu, Okro, and I looked at her, she was honest.
“So I approached this young lady… I called her mother and sat her down and told her (mother) I like this young lady but she’s too little and there’s nothing I can do. Then the (her) mother said my husband married me when I was 12… Then until 1985…“
Reflecting on four decades of marriage, Dr. Elelenta ended his testimony with a deeply emotional declaration to his wife.
“I love you babe, and I will love you until the day I die“
Dr. Melody Elele also gave an emotional testimony, showering praise on her husband and recounting how she believes their meeting and eventual marriage transformed her life.
Describing her husband affectionately, she said:
“he’s the most handsome man“
She also recalled a recurring childhood dream involving beautiful birds and likened her husband to the bird that eventually came into her life.
“When I was young and I go to bed, I will always have this dream where I would be flying away with beautiful blue and yellow birds every time. Then in 1985 you finally found me and you became that beautiful blue and yellow bird. You swept me off my feet and everything about my life changed. Thank you my love for uplifting me and thank you for taking me to the highest height I can ever imagine and thank you for being a good husband. Thank you for being an amazing father to our 5 children and an amazing brother, an amazing son-in-law and today I promise to continue to love you, I promise to be behind you, I promise to be your backbone, I promise to take care of you in good and bad, but hopefully all good,“ she stated.
Speaking at the anniversary ceremony, Governor Alex Otti used the occasion to reflect not only on marriage and family but also on political conviction, public service and the dangers of divisive narratives.
The Governor said people sometimes embrace narratives without carefully examining the interests behind them, stressing that some narratives presented as collective interests are actually driven by personal ambitions.
“I just want to make one point, and that is our politics in Nigeria, politics in Abia State and politics in Ngwaland. Sometimes, when people craft narratives, a lot of people follow sheepishly, not knowing that the narratives they are crafting are selfish narratives, dressed up as group interests
“All of a sudden, your brother who has been with you, eating with you, becomes your enemy because he has shown up to contest elections. Somebody said, if you don’t want to know who dated your great-grandmother, don’t join politics,” Governor Otti said.
Governor Otti questioned the usefulness of such divisive politics, particularly when it fails to address the everyday challenges confronting citizens, including the cost of goods and the general welfare of the people.
The Governor disclosed that Dr. Elelenta was among the early supporters who believed in his capacity to transform Abia State after listening to him when he entered politics.
He recalled that Dr. Elelenta supported his political aspirations while serving as President of the Association of Ngwa People in the United States, a position that, according to the Governor, exposed him to considerable opposition and persecution from people who disagreed with his decision.
Governor Otti said he had forgiven those who wronged him through divisive political narratives, insisting that such political battles ultimately have little meaning if they do not produce good governance and tangible improvements in the lives of citizens.
He condemned the practice of allowing clannish and divisive politics to override competence, merit and the broader public interest.
Governor Otti urged the people to draw inspiration from the sacrifices of past leaders and forebears who, he said, placed the greater good above personal sentiment and material accumulation.
“Our great-grandparents were great people. Think of all of them. That’s why the other day we decided to honour Aguiyi Ironsi. And we will honour more people.
“I honoured Jaja Nwachukwu the other day, and we will keep honouring our people who made sacrifices.
“They were not sentimental; they were not myopic. Some of them, like M.I. Okpara, I understand, didn’t have a house. He could have accumulated all the money, and today he’s gone.
“I tell you one thing: a lot of the money we are all gathering, left, right and centre, we don’t need them. As a banker or former banker, I can tell you that most of the time, when you close your eyes and don’t wake up, that money goes to your enemy.” the Governor stated.
Governor Otti said Dr. Elelenta’s life should serve as an example of the importance of standing firmly by one’s convictions, even in the face of opposition.
“Have conviction; Believe in something. Even if they prosecute you, let them prosecute you because of your belief in something.
“You are dancing around. Today you are here, next tomorrow you are there; they don’t even know where you stand.
“At the end of the day, when important decisions are being made, they are not going to consider you because you can sell out,” Governor Otti stated.
Governor Otti thanked God for preserving Dr. Elelenta and Dr. Melody Elele and for blessing their marriage with children.
He prayed that God would continue to preserve the couple and grant them many more years together, expressing the hope that they would celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary and continue beyond the golden jubilee.
The Governor also paid tribute to Dr. Melody Elele, describing her as an epitome of a virtuous woman who is deeply committed to her family.
He commended her for being a strong pillar of support to her husband and the entire Elele family.
The couple’s first son, Engr. Nkediche Nwambuisi Elele, also paid tribute to his parents, describing his father as a stubborn but kind-hearted man who is capable of winning arguments.
He equally praised his mother for her devotion, sacrifices and unwavering commitment to the family over the years.
Other distinguished personalities who spoke at the event included the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu; Senator Nkechi Nwogu; Senator Enyinnaya Harcourt Abaribe, representing Abia South Senatorial District; Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Ihuoma Emeruwa; and Dr. Godfrey Achilihu, a school old boy of Dr. Elelenta.
In their separate remarks, the speakers highlighted their longstanding relationships with the Elele family and described Dr. Elelenta Nwambuisi Elele as a custodian of Ngwa culture and heritage.
They also praised his accommodating nature, describing him as a man whose influence extends beyond politics and public office to community, cultural and social development.
Those in attendance included the Member representing Isiala Ngwa North/South Federal Constituency, Rep. Ginger Onwusibe; Member representing Aba Central State Constituency, Hon. Stephen Akachukwu Ucheonye; Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu; Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Prof. Friday Ogbonna; Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Dr. Matthew Ekwuribe; Abia State Labour Party Chairman, Hon. Peter “The Rock” Azubuike; Deputy Chairman of the Labour Party, South-East, Hon. Ishmael Onuoha; Mayor of Isiala Ngwa North, Hon. Timothy Kalu Iheke; Mayor of Isiala Ngwa South, Hon. Nnadozie Nwaogwugwu; Mayor of Obingwa, Hon. Maxwell Nwadike; Premier Deputy Mayor of Isiala Ngwa South, Hon. Eberechukwu Ahuruonye and The first Deputy Chairman of the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, His Royal Majesty, Eze Nelson Achilefu Nmerengwa.
Others included the Labour Party candidate for Obingwa East State Constituency, Hon. Victoria Onwubiko; Labour Party Chairman for Isiala Ngwa South, Hon. Smart Ogbonna; Labour Party Women Leader for Isiala Ngwa South, Chief Hon. Mrs. Veronica Orih; Leader of the Isiala Ngwa South Legislative Council, Rt. Hon. Fortune Chile Eze; Councillor representing Ovungwu Ward 8, Hon. Uchenna Samuel; Councillor representing Ovuokwu Ward 9, Hon. Collins Ugbaja; the Premier Councillors of the Isiala Ngwa South Legislative Council; Mr. Solomon Itiba; members of the Abia State University Governing Council, including its Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Rt. Hon. Dr. Agwu U. Agwu; the Premier Mayor of Abia State; and numerous other dignitaries, friends and associates.
The gathering ultimately became more than a celebration of 40 years of marriage. It was a celebration of family, enduring friendship, faith, service, conviction, culture and the remarkable journey of two people whose union has produced five children and four decades of shared memories.
As Dr. Elelenta and Dr. Melody Elele renewed their vows before family, friends and distinguished guests, the ceremony closed on a powerful message of love and commitment: that after 40 years, their journey together is not at its end, but entering another promising chapter.
