96-year-old man weds 73-year-old lover in Abuja

The agrarian village of Kiyi in Abuja was agog on Thursday, October 17, when 96-year-old Pa AbdRahman Munse-Bwaye married his lover, 73-year-old Rukaya Yamwa-Piri.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the solemnisation of the marriage was held in Piri, a village in Kwali Area Council.

The Amaria (new wife), who moved into her husband’s residence from the wedding venue, told NAN that she was “delighted to marry a gentleman like AbdRahman.’’



Rukaya told NAN that the wedding was held in her native village of Piri, in Kwali Area Council.

Pa Munse, suspected to be the oldest man in Kiyi village in Kuje Area Council, told NAN that many people discouraged him from the Nikkah (marriage in Arabic), saying that he was too old for marriage.

He said that some even queried him, asking him if his sons wives were not taking good care of him, to which he answered, “They are taking good care of me, but my own wife will certainly take care of me better.’’

Pa Munse’s first wife, Hajia Zainab Godobe, died in 2008.

“Though, I married a widow, Salamatu, after my wife’s death, her children took her away some years ago, leaving me without a wife; hence, I asked Rukayah to marry me and Allah made her to accept. I am very happy.’’

When NAN visited the elderly lovers on Friday, the wife was seen preparing tuwondawa, a guinea corn meal, for her husband.

Pa Munse’s son, Musa, told NAN that all the children, grandchildren and the great grandchildren were all happy for their father’s marriage.

“I personally encouraged him when he told me of his plans for marriage. In fact, I visited the relatives of his bride in different villages, including Dukpa in Gwagwalada Area Council, Chibiri, in Kuje Area Council and Piri village where her father lives,” Musa told NAN.

“The visit was to get their consent in accordance with Islamic injunction and we were happy that they all gave their consent and the Nikkah was held in Mama Rukaya’s father’s compound in Piri,” Musa added.

He disclosed that he represented his father at the wedding Fathia in Piri because of the distance between Kiyi and Piri.

A neighbour of Pa Munse, Malam Khamilu Awwal, who also spoke with NAN, said they were all happy to see “Baba happily married once again.”

“Baba is a very good father to all of us and deserves the happiness that God is giving him through this marriage.

“May God give Baba long life to enjoy his wife,” Awwal prayed.”

(NAN)