What Couples have to say
Going through the manuscript of Marital Harmony has left me in awe of God and absolute admiration of you, my darling wife. To say I am blown away is, to put it mildly. Your recollection is amazing and the flow of your rendition is even more impressive. The more I read your ever so eloquent storybook of our 25 years of marriage, the more I reaffirm truly, you are my missing rib which I found 30 years ago.
Indeed, you are the bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh. I am glad I was quick to ask you to be my wife and life partner. I am not surprised about what you have become today and indeed what you will be in future. Your best is yet to come, my darling wife. Watch out! I am glad that the "very young lady" who agreed to marry me so long ago is today at the verge of becoming a "best-selling author", of a book on our marriage for that matter! Wow, simply amazing!
Marital Harmony is truly our story of love which knows no boundaries and a home filled with grace and glory from above. I am delighted my darling wife has rendered our journey of harmony with so much ease and I am honestly falling in love all over again just reading through the pages. My Darling Nkem, congratulations on a masterpiece on what makes a marriage successful. I am incredibly proud of you. I am even more delighted to highly recommend Marital Harmony to all intending and married couples. As you read this book, may God bless your marriages and intending unions with marital harmony as HE has blessed ours.
My Husband - Fred Amobi
“Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” — Genesis 2:24 (New King James Version)
Over 25 years ago I watched you and Fred become one flesh, and today we are filled with gratitude for what God has done in your lives. Beyond the number of years, one thing that truly stands out is the quality of the marriage — yours is a home filled with love, joy, mutual understanding, oneness, and peace.
You and your husband indeed exemplify what it means to have marital harmony. Through the challenges and the storms, you held on together and surmounted them together. That is what marriage is all about. It’s been indeed beautiful watching you both blossom together. Yours is truly a marriage that is worthy of emulation.
To every reader, I’m so glad that you have this book in your hands. My prayer for you is that you will discover through this book that marital harmony is not only possible, but it is God’s plan for your life, and that you will refuse to settle for less.
God bless you.
Book Foreward -
Bishop Peace Okonkwo
Resident Pastor, TREM HQ
Lagos, Nigeria
Marriage is under tremendous fire the world over with too many ending in divorce. In this book, Funke Amobi beautifully outlines practical principles under 25 keywords. These words have shaped, defined, and sustained her admirable marriage to Fred which has stood the test of time, culture, and life’s challenges for 25 years.
Marital Harmony is based on sound doctrine of Christian faith, hope and love. It contains nuggets on various aspects of the marriage relationship and direction on how to attain a happy and harmonious marriage. The narrative under each keyword is presented in an easily digestible format with practical real-life examples, wise words and a succinct round-up of the key points, expressed as ‘Harmony Drivers’.
The principles outlined in Marital Harmony will appeal to the unmarried, newly married, and seasoned couples alike and will also find resonance with Christians and non-Christians alike. Marital Harmony is an invaluable source of guidance and encouragement for anyone who yearns to build a happy marriage and we highly commend it to all.
Bode & Laide Esan – Abu Dhabi, UAE
Having been married ourselves for a quarter-century and going another and beyond by God’s grace, we have read the book, Marital Harmony, and can confirm that we have encountered most of the nuggets, especially the 25 words comprising the shades of marital harmony on our own journey. Personally, we have found communication to be the most powerful, arguably, of the practices that make for a successful and sustainable marriage.
As the author noted, marriage in some sense is “being the right person and being with the right person”. Abiding by the shades painted by the book presents a recipe for a lasting and successful marriage. It will help couples create a legacy for their children’s children. We recommend and commend the book to people intending to marry, young couples as well as mature couples. All categories will find it an indispensable guide. Congratulations and well done for this great achievement!
Yinka & Foluke Sanni – Lagos, Nigeria
Funke is very brave in being willing to reveal the ups and downs of her own family and married life experiences. However, this gives essential texture and colour to the "Harmony Drivers" at the end of each 'word chapter'. These offer much wisdom and should provoke valuable discussion and communication to help couples who aspire to do the best they can in and through their lives together. I can particularly relate to health challenges (Faith) and the need to respect and enjoy differences (Agree).
After 43 years we still don't think we are any sort of experts, or that we have a winning formula. How do two people find each other, decide to get married and stay together? It may sound too simple but we believe God brought us together. Otherwise, if it were just for procreation or survival of the species, there would be a simpler way. We fit like two different pieces of a jigsaw, but part of the same picture. We are aware of God's guidance through ability to provide just enough, to open opportunities to help us grow, and to bar possible temptations that would throw us off track.
Richard and Mercia Braybrooke – Bristol, United Kingdom
Having been a reverend, marriage counsellor and mediator for more than 37 years, I enjoyed reading Funke Amobi’s book “Marital Harmony”. Funke has not only covered almost all the principles and truths, related to marriage but presented it in an easy to read and practical, understandable format. Her distinction between the different elements as shades is excellent.
The spiritual shade, the soul shade (your mind/heart), the physical shade (The flesh), and the resources shade (Material and Human).
In her application of the shades, she arranged the 25 core principles and truths (words), all of them well-grounded in the Holy Scripture*
These 25 words were practised and applied in her marriage with great success. Any couple who embraces these truths and practices it in their marriage, will experience fulfilment in their relationship.
Funke, we wish you and your family well.
Pieter and Daleen Oosthuizen – Pretoria, South Africa
The book ‘Marital Harmony’ is complete, accurate and holds many spiritual truths. It expatiates the principles of God for marriage in a language that is easy to understand. Furthermore, it guides and guards anyone who wants to succeed in his or her marriage. The Author has penned the pathway to a successful married life of which if the first twenty-five years is victorious (learning phase) then the next twenty-five years and more should be joyful, happy, and fulfilling.
We encourage you to use the valuable nuggets shared by the Author knowing that God is allowing you to go through a process which is bound to yield positive fruits that will last to His glory. We congratulate Funke on an insightful self-search book and wish everyone a
fruitful reading.
Omodele & Bukola Smith Lagos , Nigeria
It is such a delight to see our dear sister, Funke has done justice to the marriage institution by distilling their enviable marital journey into timeless gems that inspire. The book Marital Harmony is a roadmap to marital success, capsuled from 25 years of true marital harmony. The Amobi’s have created a prototype of an ideal intertribal marriage that has continued to bless us as a young couple. Their shining example has always been a positive reference point for us – we have watched them practise all that is written in this book.
They have constantly shown us what a godly marriage looks like. Their commitment to God and each other despite the trials of life are a testament to our generation that it is possible to be happily married and fulfil purpose.
Thank you for blessing the world with this book – what a gift you are!
Emeka & Dokun Nochirionye – Ontario, Canada
This is a truly inspirational read, after almost 30 years in a happy marriage, it still got me to think and question myself. Marriage is about compromise as we all know, but this book goes into detail with so many examples that I can personally relate to. Each word means so much more when explained in a way that only Funke knows how to.
I will keep this book with me at all times as a testament to my marriage and refer to it in years to come knowing it will make be a better person and husband to my wife Rashmita. God bless you Funke, my dear sister, a remarkable woman who continues to amaze me.
Jamie & Rashmita Vegad – Lancaster, United Kingdom
A beautiful marriage indeed births a harmonious home. Achieved when the principals(husband and wife) leverage each partner's strengths; consciously collaborating to improve and consolidate their weaknesses.
Thank you, Mrs Amobi, for pouring out your heart and experiences in this masterpiece "Marital Harmony". The tenets and roadmap presented in this book are indeed life lessons that will consolidate couples' love life experiencing harmony in their marriages. Give moral guidance for harmonious marriage to couples presently struggling to keep all together. And provide needed direction to young ones dating or in courtship with valuable tenets needed to build marital harmony.
Dami & Olumide Ajayi – Lagos Nigeria
We consider it a great honour to be availed Mrs Funke Amobi's spirit-of-God-filled manuscript of her Manual on marriage. What phenomenalists our walk with God is the liberty He has reserved for us to make our choices in life.
This manual capsulizes the journey in marriage as defined by the choice we make. No prescription or third party experience adequately defines or delineates individual encounters in marriage. Mrs Amobi's marriage Manual showcases a 25- year experience in marriage; experience predicated on bible-based values, integrity and credibility which symphonize, inevitable mix in a legal union between man and woman. For those already in the school of marriage; for those aspiring to enlist in that school, Marital Harmony is an epiphanous encyclopaedia. We humbly recommend it as an all-time recourse, especially for people of God, to deflect the siege against godly homes.
Dr. Jude & Nmuta-david Mbamalu – Lagos Nigeria
For a start marriage is the ordained pathway for mankind to fulfil God’s purposes of reflecting His image, reigning and reproducing on earth. God’s first purpose is for mankind to reflect His image: “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him male and female, He created them”-Genesis 1:27.
This is the primary purpose of this book; “Marital Harmony”. After 25 years of being married to my wife, “Marital Harmony” has come in handy as a refresher course on marriage and finding happiness in marriage. It is a well-resourced handbook for intending couples, a manual of operations for Christian and non-Christian couples.
CNC & Ngozi Nwachukwu – Lagos, Nigeria
There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside of you” – Maya Angelou
This story on marital bliss had to be told and I’m happy the writer has finally decided to tell it. It’s her truth, her journey and yet an inspiration to many. She has lived an inspired marital life that all close to her can see. By writing this book she can reach many more who are not so proximate, with the truth and message about marital bliss.
Pay attention to the words, each carefully selected. My favourite word is 10, decision. My husband’s favourite is word 17, commitment, and then we both jointly love word 19, celebrate. Celebrating milestones in your marital journey is so critical. I urge you to read and find your pick.
Being a person of structure, I am not surprised the author has grouped her 25 words of marital bliss into four major shades: the spiritual, soul, physical and resources. The significance of the spiritual shade is a clear pointer.
Thank you Olufunke Amobi for the gift of this book to the world. And to the audience out there waiting to get this book, I’m positive it will bless your marriage or that of someone you know.
Mena and Winifred Ajakpovi – Lagos, Nigeria
Marriage is a gift from God, sometimes wrapped with uncertainties, but when grounded in faith and love, it can bring joy and fulfilment to a man and his wife. Marital Harmony is an inspirational book with real-life stories and practical tips for couples and couples to be.
In this book, the author, Funke Amobi, whose authentic marriage shines through her life and career, shared her experiences using 25 powerful words. If you want to experience marital harmony every day in your home, get this book. Read it together with your partner.
Meditate on the words and implement the actions. May every reader be blessed.
Joshua and Mofoluwaso Ilevbare – Sydney, Australia
This book by Funke Amobi must be divinely inspired, as a book on people management is what one would expect her to write, not one on marriage.
Relationships are difficult and complex on their own. Building a life with someone else is even more complicated, and when you think you’ve found the right person, life happens; the future doesn’t always play out the way you’ve envisioned.
Marriages, while holding a few things in common, differ greatly. Reading through Marital Harmony, the author is sharing from her life’s story. This, plus her penchant for details, expertly woven in a language that is easy to digest, and in a flow that is highly compelling, makes the book an invaluable contribution to building a good marriage.
Soji & Bisi Oyawoye – Lagos, Nigeria
It is said that when you are enjoying a journey, the distance becomes unnoticed. This is more so when you have a like-minded friend as a companion; you even tend to forget how much time has passed.
Our beloved F^2 (F-squared), as Chichi and I fondly call Sister Funke, has in this beautiful work presented 25 years of marriage union as if it is still ‘honeymoon’. As one who could say I have been part of every bit of this uncommon friendship and love-life journey these nearly 30 years (including the privilege of standing behind them as ‘best man’ when they both declared ‘I do’), here is one friendship I could boldly say is well-positioned to teach about marital harmony based on real-life experiences.
Who could best write about marital harmony — what it means, what it takes and what a beauty it is to have it — than our own dear Sister Funke, and such from a union that has been blessed with palpable ‘downs’ (challenges) yet enviable ‘ups’ (life and career heights). Entering their home from day one till now, you will readily feel the beauty of marital harmony; a true testimony that while houses are built with hands, homes are indeed built with hearts made one in harmony.
As Chichi would put it, “... not very sure how the spark started, I just know that they were walking together when we went for outreach in one village outside Kaduna town. It is so amazing that 30 years later they are still walking and working together. A good indicator of Marital Harmony.”
With thanks to beloved Sister Funke (our own F^2) for taking out from her scarce-to-find time, enjoy this beautiful work and pick one or twenty-five tips that would make your own marriage bliss — whether you are preparing, just started, or already done several years. God bless this work, in Jesus’ Name.
Engr. James & Mrs Chichi Okereke – Lagos, Nigeria
In a world where a surge in divorce rates seems the ‘new normal’, the book, Marital Harmony couldn’t have come at a better time! Highlighting critical issues often glossed over but very vital for a successful union, Funke presented 25 years of marriage here with her usual candour and grit.
The book brims with practical ideas and suggestions for the mature minds and is a must-read for those who intend to build a lasting home to the glory of our God and His Christ.
Jisola & Funke Adeloye — Bromley, UK
The book, MARITAL HARMONY, by Mrs. Funke Amobi, is divinely inspired.
As grandparents who were also present at their wedding 25 years ago, we can testify that her revelations are true.
The 25 words for marital harmony present a reliable roadmap for a successful marriage. We also call them ingredients for a “palatable” home. Deficiency in some of these ingredients can create a storm which troubles many families today.
This book offers a good remedy and most of the 25 Words are inter-connected. For instance, in the words of the writer, “true love requires a level of sacrifice “. When we claim to love, it is important that we identify the sacrifices that we are making to justify our claims. Quite often, emotional feelings can just be infatuation.
Funke and Fred, congratulations.
Simbo & Kole Oluwajana - Lagos, Nigeria
.... “the choice of who to be with comes more from a deep sense of purpose. Nothing beats having the same principles, goals, and spiritual standing with another person. This is how synergy is born..... “
These powerful words from your book ‘Marital Harmony’ alone if reflected on and imbibed will transform many lives and marriages. Congratulations, dear Funke on such a power-packed scriptural and practical book.
Udo & Onyema Okonjo - Lagos, Nigeria
This book is an easy-to-read, practical guide for whoever desires to see her/his marital relationship attain its highest potential.
The book, Marital Harmony, is born out of Funke Amobi’s 25-year marital journey and her years of mentoring both married couples and singles intending to marry.
Written in simple, yet profound words, the book, in a conversational manner, lays out approaches to achieve deep levels of intimacy with your partner. It also presents simple ways to avoid conflict in the home, and have a lifetime of enjoyment with your spouse.
At a time when researchers state that 41% of first marriages end in divorce, and 60% of second marriages end in divorce, this book is a definitive guide that could help us arrest the scourge of divorce, helping couples enjoy their marriage.
Marian & Emecheta Ofondu - Lagos, Nigeria
In sharing her and her husband’s amazing marriage journey Funke has distilled 25 practical touchstones which will inspire and assist couples everywhere. She captures, and in fact echoes many of our own learnings and ‘secret ingredients’ (one in particular being that you need to celebrate your partner and be their greatest fan rather than their greatest critic.)
By weaving together inspirational scriptural guidance and practical life lessons in an easy to access manner, Funke has done married (and pre-married) couples everywhere a great service. Her authenticity and vulnerability shine through as she illustrates her points with stories, examples and anecdotes. Read this and be blessed!
Tracey and Bernard Swanepoel - Johannesburg, South Africa
Marital Harmony as a literary piece leads an honest, down-to-earth, absorbing, non-superficial, and practical conversation on the essentials – sincerity, intentionality, commitment, preparedness, etc., required to experience sustainable and replicable marital bliss. It doesn’t leave out the responsibilities and challenges therein that the parties involved must bear and overcome, because like they say for anything that would be valuable and long-lasting — it must be built. These are especially important, given the times we live in where truth and the original intention for the marriage institution, are consistently sacrificed on the altar of convenience and social media appeal.
We dare say that Dcns. Funke Amobi, having lived through and succeeded for over 25 years, has with this project, bequeathed a treasure to the global marital discourse, and rightly deserves all the accolades.
We’re incredibly proud and blessed to be associated with you, praying that this book will be trans-generationally relevant, serving as a wholesome resource for couples – intending, newlyweds, young, intermediate and aged, regardless of where they are on their peculiar journeys.
Congratulations.