For Mrs. Oluranti Aina Oviebo, celebrating her husband, Engr. Akintunde Oviebo, at 70 is not merely about counting the years. It is about celebrating a man whose life, marriage, family and walk with God have become living testimonies of grace.

In this deeply personal tribute, contained in an interview with Christian Benefits to mark the recent 70th birthday of her loving and amiable husband, Engr. Akintunde Oviebo, she opens her heart about the man she calls her husband, best friend, brother, confidant and “one and only Bobo.”

She recalls how they met about 30 years ago in Kano, the early days of their relationship, the role her grandmother played in approving their union, their courtship, marriage, family life and the difficult seasons they have faced together.

With candour, humour and affection, she speaks about his transformation from a nominal Christian into a committed believer, his faithfulness, discipline, generosity and devotion to his family. She also reflects on their wilderness season, when circumstances changed dramatically and they had to depend on their love for one another and their faith in God.

Her testimony is particularly striking because she does not present marriage as a perfect journey without challenges. Rather, she describes a relationship sustained by prayer, forgiveness, accountability, mutual respect, companionship and a shared commitment to Christ.

For Mrs. Oviebo, the 15-year age difference between them has never been a barrier. Instead, she sees it as a blessing that has brought maturity, stability and strength to their relationship. More remarkably, she says they have deliberately preserved the warmth and playfulness of their courtship, still relating to each other as “boyfriend and girlfriend” even after 28 years of marriage.

As Engr. Oviebo celebrates his 70th birthday, his wife’s tribute offers a rare glimpse into the man behind the amiable personality—the husband, father, friend, provider, companion and believer whose life she says has been a blessing to her and the family generally. Excerpts below,

Share with us your feelings about your darling husband’s 70th birthday anniversary.

I am excited seeing an elderly man, 70 years old, filled with the Holy Spirit, in the presence of God, with good health and peace all around him. There are so many people who have clocked 70 years but do not have peace in their homes. I celebrate God in him

How would you describe him as a husband, father and Christian?

My husband is my best and only friend I have had ever since we got married. He is a very loving, caring, sincere and honest husband.

He is not just my husband; he is my best friend, my brother and my confidant. My husband can die for me—which a 70-year-old man can no longer literally do. My husband loves me so much. If he can die for me, why wouldn’t I give my all to make him happy?

As a father, my husband is an amazing, caring, considerate, pampering and soft father to our two children and other children.

As a Christian, my husband is a devoted believer in Jesus Christ and His Gospel of salvation to lost souls. My husband is completely sold out to soul-winning. He is a selfless promoter of the Kingdom of God, with his commitment to supporting God’s work with his resources.

How did your paths cross?

We met each other 30 years ago in Kano. My neighbours introduced him to me, and I knew he was the one within three months. He was then a nominal Christian, which made us different in some ways. He was not born again at the time, whereas I was already a born-again Christian

How did you know almost instantly that he was God’s will for you as your husband, despite the fact that he was not born again then, unlike you?

When I was 10 years old, my grandmother used to pray for me: “You will not marry the wrong man.” It was funny to me at that age. I would wonder, “Why are you praying such a prayer?”

Before I met him, as a born-again Christian, I found it very difficult to open up to a man. But when I met him, it was so easy for me. I was not afraid that somebody would judge me.

He was a churchgoer. Like I always pray for my children: “God, give them a partner that has a conscience.” The Bible talks about “a broken spirit and a contrite heart.” He was not a born-again Christian then, but he was a man with a conscience.

For me, that mattered. When you commit a sin and acknowledge it, confess it and turn away from it, that is part of restoration.

Aside from you, did your parents approve your intention to marry him despite the fact that he was not born again then?

I largely grew up with my grandmother. My grandmother approved our union. My grandmother loved him from the very first day. She said, “This is the man I have been waiting for.” Any man I took home to her, she would tell me, “This is not your husband.”

She was an elderly woman. She would wake up in the morning and not talk to anybody until she had said her prayers. She prayed for two to three hours for us, covered us with the blood of Jesus and prophesied into our lives. My husband has a place in my family as Olori Ebi—the head of the family.

Beyond the spiritual aspect, specifically, what were the attractions when you met him?

The attraction came with compassion. He was a caring man and a good giver. He spoilt me. The first week we met, he wanted to buy me a car. I said, “Where will I say I got it from? My family will not allow it.”Instead, he said, “Marry me.” He cared for everyone around me.

How long or short was your courtship before you eventually wedded? Also, were there hurdles he had to cross before you gave your heart to him in marriage?

The courtship lasted one year. There was no hurdle. A lot of us are judgmental; that is why we miss it.

Share with us the secrets of your successful marriage of 28 years.

I always pray for him. I have never reported him to anybody till date. I don’t have many friends. Then, as a sister, we would go to the club together. Later, after marriage, I stopped going and told him, “You can drink your beer at home

Your husband shared with Christian Benefits that you were instrumental in helping him stop drinking alcohol. How did you achieve this?

It was after a 31-day fast. He fasted, and going back to beer became like poison to him. He said, “The Lord said, ‘Put a stop to it.’”

Ever since then, up to date, that has been the result of my prayers. Before he stopped drinking, I always appealed him to come home and take his beer instead of drinking in public. I often told him to drink at home and not in public. He listened to me and started drinking at home, until drinking beer tasted like poison to him after the 31-day fast.

Share with us how you both run and manage the affairs of your lovely home and family.

Managing our family is not a problem for both of us. We live as one truly bonded family. We run the family affairs seamlessly together with our children.

How do you prevent each other from infidelity, particularly in view of his past as a womaniser and yourself as a very beautiful woman?

We watch the backs of each other from falling into infidelity. Since Christ is the centre point of our marriage and family, the issue of infidelity has no place in our 28-year marriage.

We both fear God and sincerely serve Him. In addition, we are genuine lovers. We still relate as boyfriend and girlfriend. We don’t allow the usual restrictions and idiosyncrasies of marriage to operate in our marriage.

Despite the 15-year difference between us, I still address my husband as “O” instead of “E,” and he has no issues with it because it enables us to flow lovingly as we did when we were just boyfriend and girlfriend.

Till date, we still do some hide-and-seek stuff—most times chasing, grabbing and cuddling around the home as young lovebirds. Even at 70, my husband still relates with me as a boy at heart. That’s one reason our home is loving and peaceful.

Before we got married, he once strayed. But ever since we got married, he has never looked back into adultery. Shortly after we got married, he told me, “I am born again. I am not keeping myself for you, but for God.” Initially, I was hurt. But later, I understood it.

If he keeps himself for me, he can go back. But if he keeps himself for God, then he has someone greater than me to answer to. It is only God who can keep him. If I misbehave, he will turn back. He is that disciplined and faithful.

Our family is made in heaven. We don’t have separate purses. We do things together. I am accountable to him, and he is accountable to me. Finance is the least of our problems.

How did you both manage difficult moments during these 28 years of marriage?

When you have the best of everything and suddenly things go backwards, it is terrible. But our love for each other and our love for God sustained us.

In those days, we ate dry pomo and dry fish with ground pepper “concoction.” When we first met, they transferred him to Lagos while I was in Kano. I gave him a Bible and always sent him Bible revelations. While he was in Lagos, the Lord told me: “The glory of the latter shall be greater than the former, and I will give you divine peace.” Those words kept encouraging me.

The Bible enjoins, “Wives, submit to your own husbands.” Share with us how you express submission to your husband these past 28 years of marriage.

Submission is not a big deal. Some women talk about women’s liberation, and I ask, “Are you in bondage that you need freedom?”

I am not in bondage. The man is the head; you are the neck. The woman has a strong hold on the man if you realise what God has given you.

I have never had a problem submitting to my darling boyfriend and husband, my one and only Bobo, Engr. Akintunde Oviebo. (Smiles.)

When he is coming back from work, my children make fun of me because I always run to call him all the good names, and then I run into the kitchen because he doesn’t eat outside. I cook all kinds of food and put them in the freezer. He will just warm it and eat.

How do you prevent third-party interference in your family affairs, particularly when you both have disagreements?

We don’t condone or encourage a third party in our home and marriage. No third party in our home and marriage.

If I don’t come to you to discuss my husband or my family with you, I will not have problems.

A friend’s husband once asked his wife, “Have you ever opened your mouth to talk about your husband?”

I don’t discuss my husband. And I love my husband very much.

You can forgive your husband 100 per cent, and it is easy. But that person you told about your husband may hate him forever, and the impression may last for a long time.

We are both a reflection of each other, so that people can honour him. We resolve differences between us with love. When I am mad, he is calm, and vice versa.

He sees me as his younger sister. Thank God I married an older person. If not, he would have beaten the hell out of me. (Laughter.)

I can vouch for this: ever since we got married, he has never insulted me or raised his voice at me. I always thank God. I read a story about the lion and the tortoise. The lion roars, and its lifespan is said to be about 16 years. The tortoise, with its calm nature, is said to live for up to 200 years.

We have mutual respect and appreciation for each other. I don’t call him “Daddy.” I relate with him as my mate despite the 15-year age difference. He has really helped us, and we respect each other so much. Respect comes both ways.

Talking to him as my age mate makes him feel younger. He is a loving husband. When I am tired, he is there for me, even in the office. The connection is deep. He is not a good cook, and I don’t see it as a weakness. He is simply not interested in domestic activities.

Share with us some attributes of your lovely and peaceful home and marriage.

Some of the attributes are as follows: We complement each other.

When I do things, I ask myself, “Does this man do the same thing for me?”

Care and concern—if I tell him something now, he will do everything.

He will even make sure I sleep.

Even when I am hungry, he will provide the food for me.

What else can I ask for?

He is a wonderful father to his children.

He does not know how to cook or wash. My husband pampers the children.

My rule is the opposite: when I give birth, I will sleep while he rocks the baby and makes sure they go to sleep.

My love language is gifts.

His love language is presence.

Where I am, he is there.

Vice versa.

The 15-year age difference between us is a plus because he is a mature man.

He understands me and my needs very well. He loves fashion.

What are your best wishes and prayers for him at 70?

I wish him many more years in God’s vineyard and good health. My husband genuinely loves God. So, I pray that God will uphold him and grant him all the desires of his heart. May he not lose relevance. May he continue to fulfil God’s purpose for his life.

And may he gain heaven at last. Happy 70th birthday, my husband. May the God who has brought you this far preserve you, strengthen you and keep you in His vineyard for many more fruitful years, in Jesus’ name. Amen. I love you!

Finally, briefly share with us your background and upbringing, including your salvation encounter.

I was born into a Christian home. By God’s grace, I met Christ at a very early age. Memorising verses was a way of life from the age of three or four. I was raised by my grandmother. Both my parents were working-class as bankers but my grandmother was there for me.