Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, Dr. Bulus Yohanna, has said that marriage is meant for prepared adults. He stated this when he conducted a mass wedding for 30 couples at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Agwara Local Council of Niger State. 
 
During his homily at the wedding, the bishop added: “Some people refer to their marriages as dead while still alive, due to lingering issues that are not tackled on time; thereby causing couples not to talk to each other, even while living in the same apartment.”
 
According to him, marriage is a life-time commitment, which should be built on love and companionship.  While joining the couples in holy matrimony, Yohanna disclosed that, until a couple is joined in marriage legally – traditionally and in the church, it is wrong for them to cohabit. 

He said: “The people of Agwara rely more on traditional marriage, which encourages them to cohabit with more than one wife without paying their bride price. We have to encourage them to do what is right, especially as Catholics. With this blessing of marriage, these 30 couples are now legally and officially married.”
 
The Parish Priest, Fr Emmanuel Okoro while disclosing that the 30 couples completed their traditional marriage rites, especially bride price payment, said they were subjected to three months counselling on marriage, which qualified them to be joined in the church.