God selected her for me,’ Nigerian couple share love story after 60 years of marriage

A video of a Nigerian couple, Chief Innocent Uwakwe and his wife, Lolo Mercy Uwakwe, reflecting on their 60-year marriage has gone viral on social media, stirring admiration and reactions from viewers online.

The short video, posted by TikTok user #happily.together on Friday, features the couple seated side by side as they share their love story.

Chief Uwakwe, now 90, recounted how he left for England, leaving Mercy in Port Harcourt, noting that despite doubts and teasing from friends, she remained faithful.

“There are wives who are wise, and there are wives who are not wise. I’ve been very lucky, I have a wife who helps, who keeps the home. This girl, God just selected her for me,” he said.

He recalled giving her assurances before travelling abroad saying, “When I left for England, leaving her at Port Harcourt, her friends were taunting her, ‘so that man is gone.’ But I gave her assurance.

“She was allowed to do her school cert. When she dropped the pen after the exam, we had arranged for her to come to England. And that’s what happened.

“And as she was going to England, those who were taunting her swallowed their words. She gave me her word, and it was her word. We didn’t lie to each other. We called a spade a spade.”

Smiling, 85-year-old Mercy said, “I’m Lolo, Mercy Uwakwe, the wife of this man sitting near me. We’ve been married, this April 19th of 2025, 60 years.”

“He booked me first class. I was eating at the captain’s table,” she added, recounting her trip to England.

The couple were reported to have celebrated 60 years of marriage, along with Chief Uwakwe’s 90th and Lolo’s 85th birthdays, at a colourful event held at Fox Hotel in Jos, Plateau State earlier in May.

According to 4wardwego, the event tagged “Trinity Celebration,” brought together dignitaries, friends, and family from within Nigeria and abroad.

The report added that their union, which began in 1965, has weathered many storms, including the loss of three of their six children, yet, they remained united, strong, and deeply committed to their Christian faith and to each other.

News reported in 2022 how Chief Michael and Mrs. Florence Adeboyejo, then aged 87 and 86 respectively, shared the secrets behind their six-decade-long marriage and the lessons young couples can learn from their enduring love story.