The septuagenarian married a 45-year-old divorcee, Mallama Rahmat Muhammad, in Lokoja, the Kogi state capital, on Sunday, August 28.
Speaking to journalists about why he waited this long before he settled down, Awal said lack of financial resources discouraged him from approaching a woman for marriage.
His words,
“I have always been afraid I might fail in my duty of care to a spouse if I married and it is something I fear and don’t want to joke with. I am also afraid of separation from my spouse.
I know if I fail to take care of her, she might either leave me or cheat on me with another man, which I would not like. So, to avoid all of that, I dismissed the idea of marriage altogether. But now, Allah has made this a reality. Many of them looked down on me, mostly because of my financial status. But I thank God it is in the past”.
Speaking on what drew him to his wife and whether he plans to have children with her, he said,
“Apart from the fact that she is beautiful, she is also down-to-earth, understanding, religious and rooted in the marital institution. Only Allah knows if we are going to have children. You never know what the Almighty can do. It is not in our hands, but His hands.”
On her part, the bride, Rahmat said that it was destined that they would end up as a couple.
“Allah has a reason for bringing us together and my prayers is for him to bless us and give us peace and understanding in our home.” She said.
See photos below,
