Zongo criticised the non-payment of his parents’ retirement benefits and said Nigerians should assess candidates by their capacity to improve citizens’ lives.
By Faith Chondol
Human rights activist Lawrence Zongo has celebrated the 50th wedding anniversary of his parents, describing their marriage as a story of faith, sacrifice, resilience and commitment through decades of personal and economic challenges.
The golden jubilee celebration of Chief Coach Samuel Zongo and his wife was held on Sunday at the Evangelical Church Winning All, ECWA, Kasuwan Ali, Gindiri, in the Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Zongo said remaining together for five decades was an achievement worthy of celebration, particularly at a time when many marriages face serious social and economic pressures.
“It is very difficult to reach this number of years in our generation. We have to celebrate them because they have gone through many things and faced different challenges in life together,” he said.
He said the family was grateful to God for preserving the couple through periods of difficulty, uncertainty and progress.
According to him, the thanksgiving sermon delivered during the service reflected the purpose of the gathering and the family’s appreciation for the couple’s lives.
Zongo described his father as a disciplined teacher and coach who devoted years to public service. He described his mother as a resilient woman who remained committed to her family despite growing up in a rural community and experiencing several hardships.
He thanked relatives, in-laws, friends, church members and other well-wishers who attended the event, saying their presence made the anniversary more memorable for the family.
However, the activist used the occasion to raise concerns about the treatment of retired public servants in Nigeria.
Zongo alleged that his parents had not received their gratuities several years after retiring from public service.
He criticised the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu and the Plateau State Government led by Governor Caleb Mutfwang over the continued delay in paying retirement benefits owed to pensioners.
According to him, a government should give citizens tangible reasons to express gratitude through the payment of pensions and gratuities, improved security, employment opportunities and the provision of basic Services. “My parents have no reason to say thank you to the APC government,” Zongo said
“We are celebrating our parents and thanking God for preserving their lives, but when we look at the government, there is nothing for pensioners like them to say thank you for,” Zongo said.
“Their gratuities have not been paid after they served the country. Nigerians should vote for a president in 2027 whose performance will make them say, ‘Thank you.’”
Zongo expressed his personal support for human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, whom he described as a better alternative to the country’s current political leadership.
He said he believed a Sowore-led administration would prioritise the payment of pensions and gratuities while addressing corruption, insecurity and other governance problems.
“Nigerians must carefully examine the candidates in 2027 and choose someone who will respect workers, pensioners and ordinary citizens,” he said.
“My preferred choice is Omoyele Sowore because I believe he will pay gratuities and pensions and give Nigerians reasons to thank their government.”
Zongo also commended the International Committee on Nigeria, ICON, and Equipping the Persecuted for what he described as their efforts to document and draw international attention to killings, displacement, religious persecution and other alleged human rights violations in Nigeria.
He called on civil society organisations, journalists and international partners to continue documenting abuses and demanding accountability from public officials.
Earlier, the pastor in charge of ECWA Church, Kasuwan Ali, Gindiri, Reverend Nanpan Chibi Dafur, delivered a sermon from 1 Thessalonians 5:16–20.
The cleric urged Christians to rejoice, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances.
He encouraged the congregation to remain committed to their faith during periods of hardship and uncertainty.
Also speaking during the celebration, the couple’s son-in-law, Emmanuel Samuel, who is married to their daughter, Linda Samuel Zongo, described the anniversary as evidence of enduring love and family unity.
“Today is a great day for everyone. I am happy to be here, and my entire family is also here,” Samuel said.
“This celebration shows that love exists in the family. They have left a good legacy for us to follow, and I pray that my wife and I will also celebrate 50 years together.”
Children, grandchildren, relatives, church members, friends and other well-wishers attended the thanksgiving service.
They prayed for the couple’s continued good health and more years together as they marked five decades of marriage.
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