In a solemn address, Albert Omotayo, former Nigerian Ambassador to Mozambique, has sounded an alarm over the impending extinction of the institution of marriage. Omotayo, who served as a Private Secretary to former President Olusegun Obasanjo in the 1970s, articulated his concerns during the unveiling of his book titled “Fifty Reasons Why I Love You,” a literary effort aimed at reinforcing family bonds in Nigeria and fostering nation-building.
The former envoy, noting the alarming surge in separation and divorce rates within the country, emphasized the urgent need for genuine love and a robust marital institution to counteract this disconcerting trend. Speaking at the book presentation event held in Abuja on Tuesday, Omotayo lamented the relentless and subtle assault on the foundations of marriage and family life.
During the event, Omotayo also inaugurated the Qoodrat Adebola Abeni Omotayo Literary Award (QAAOLA) in honor of his wife, aiming to recognize and celebrate her unwavering commitment to the institution of marriage. He expressed concern over the growing influence of socio-intellectual movements portraying marriage as a restrictive bond that should be broken, warning of the consequential societal impact.
“The rate of separation and divorce is soaring everywhere, the socio-intellectual movements which articulate marriage to be bondage that must be broken are gaining more ground, and their disciples are fast growing,” Omotayo stated, highlighting the global challenge faced by the sanctity of marriage.
In a reflection on the current societal landscape, the retired diplomat deplored the inversion of values across various spheres of life, attributing it to a counter-cultural protest against “old culture and tradition.” He underscored the need to address this cultural shift and its impact on relationships.
Ambassador Omotayo clarified that the motivation behind the book and the literary award was not merely to advocate for legal measures but to initiate a profound reorientation of the human mind. He emphasized the role of literature, in various genres, as a potent tool to challenge and transform prevailing mindsets.
Former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Zubairu Dada, commended Omotayo for addressing the critical theme of love at the family level. He encouraged Nigerians to engage with the book, recognizing its potential to fortify family ties and contribute to the development of a healthier society.
Omotayo’s wife, Abeni, a former Chairperson of the Ekiti State Chapter of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), expressed her commitment to continuing her impact on lives through the promotion of literary arts. She acknowledged her husband as a pillar of support in her endeavors.
The commendations extended beyond the immediate family, as former National President of the Association of Nigerian Authors, Denja Abdullahi, Chairman of the occasion Professor Vicky Sylvester, and book reviewer Miss Salamatu Sule, all praised Ambassador Omotayo for his insightful contribution to the discourse on love and family values. They collectively recognized his wife as a virtuous woman and applauded the literary initiative as a commendable step towards societal transformation.
