| By Josephine Akaure.
The impact of trauma and dysfunctional relationships on young people’s decisions to settle for convenience rather than commitment were top burner as Family Life Coaches, Pastor Israel and Yetunde Olaore led the consecration service of the NOVA graduating Class. The message delivered at the University Amphitheatre, Babcock University, where the Olaores once served before relocating to the United States, urged graduates to embrace healing, forgiveness, and grace as they step into new chapters of life
“Sometimes parents downgrade emotions and encourage their children to suppress their feelings,” they noted as they spoke about how unresolved pain in marriages often spills over into families, leaving children disconnected and emotionally wounded.
Quoting Isaiah 43:18, they reminded the audience: “Do not remember the former things or the things of old.” Healing, they emphasized, requires letting go of past hurts, grief, and brokenness. In a moving gesture, they stood in the gap for parents everywhere, declaring: “On behalf of our generation, we say we are sorry and ask for forgiveness, without which there can be no new beginning.”
The couple introduced the principle of G.R.A.C.E. in relationships, where G stands for gifts, explaining that every bond thrives when partners see themselves as gifts. “I’m grateful for the gift I am to myself, and the gift my wife is to me,” Pastor Israel shared.
They stressed that apology and allowance are vital—“Relationships will not heal without forgiveness”—and encouraged couples to build cheerfulness and closeness by “praying and playing together.” Above all, they urged closeness, compassion and empathy: “Beware of somebody who cannot show kindness and value your emotions.”
Reflecting on their own journey of 43 years of friendship and 39 years of marriage, the Olaores reminded the audience that “Marriage is sweet, beautiful. We are not saying there will be no ups and downs.” They concluded with a heartfelt prayer of consecration for the graduating class, blessing them with wisdom, resilience, and grace in their future relationships.