By Daniel Kanu
Assistant Politics Editor
Married couples should guide against loneliness, an endemic cankerworm that drains the sweet wine of marriage.
The counsel was given by Marvelous Kalu, minister-in-charge of Presbyterian Church, Ikotun Parish, Lagos, who said his research showed that more than 50 per cent of the world population passes through the unpleasant experience.
But, he stressed, marriage as designed by God in its fullness and essence does not have provision for loneliness.
Marvelous made the observation at the presentation of his latest book Overcoming Loneliness in Marriage: A practical guide against anti-social behaviour at his parish.
He defines loneliness in marriage as a wall of separation and isolation by which couples living together in a union are inwardly separated.
The book deals with the grey areas of marriage which seem to have escaped the attention of many authors and marriage counsellors.
“The book is more of a product of my counselling experience of many years. I have come to find out that many couples who are expected to be enjoying their marriage are merely enduring it,” Marvelous told TheNiche.
“The book is a synopsis of thoughtful marital skills necessary for the application of couples in order to avoid the risky behaviour of anti-social actions, a practical guide to couples who may be tempted to thread on the murky path of loneliness.”
Those who attended the book launch included Chinedu Okoroafor (minister-in-charge, Presbyterian Church, Yaba Parish, Lagos); Davies Faleye (national secretary, Preachwater Foundation, Nigeria and minister-in-charge, Iba Model Parish, Lagos); and S.B. Igbinosa (minister-in-charge, Christ the Light Ministry, New York, United States).
They also included Roselyn Emetu, Ejeje E. Ejeje, and Ukiwe Ndukwe.
Reviewer of the book, K. Udeochu, said it is a must-read for married and intending couples given its rich content.
Chief launcher and presenter, Chijioke Isiolu, described the book as timely because of the high rate of couples who experience loneliness in marriage.
He recommended the book to Christians and all married couples.
Launch Chairman, Udeagha Alichi, applauded Marvelous for putting his thoughts into a book, which he said is not an easy task.
Church members bought copies and also made donations.
