Kwara, Delta Govs, Dame Jonathan, 10 First Ladies, Other Dignitaries Grace Diri’s Daughter’s Traditional Marriage
…Govs. Fubara, Otti, Ododo others Grace Wedding
Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, on Saturday, blessed the union of his first dauĝhter, Dr. Stephanie Ebidenere and Ballad Tamaradoubra Agbeyei, at his Sampou country home in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area.
The traditional marriage had in attendance several high profile guests, including Nigeria’s former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum and Governor of Kwara State, Engr. AbdulrRahman AbdulRazaq, who chaired the event, his wife, Prof. Olufunke AbdulRazaq, the Delta State Governor, Elder Sheriff Oborevwori and his wife, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori, and the first ladies of Jigawa, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi and Taraba.
The first ladies of Edo and Benue were represented by the coordinators of their office.
Governor Diri, who was joined by his wife, Dr. Gloria Diri, mother of the bride, prayed that the new couple would not only be a blessing to themselves but also to the state and the country at large.
He said: “It is marvellous in our eyes. May your union be blessed.
“There is no perfect marriage. So strive to love each other and commit your marriage to God at all times.”
Governor AbdulRazaq, in his remarks, congratulated the couple and enjoined them to always seek the face of God in resolving any marital challenges.
He also urged them to make God the cornerstone of their marriage as they begin this new journey together.
“Today we join your family in praying for you. We celebrate your successful marriage. Everyday that we wake up, you should hand your life’s issues to God and resolve them amicably as you go ahead in your marriage.”
Other dignitaries at the colourful ceremony included the Ambassador of the Republic of Angola to Nigeria, Dr. José Bamóquina Zau, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Dr. Heineken Lokpobiri, former governor of Rivers State, Sir Celestine Omehia, former Bayelsa deputy governors, Hon. Peremobowei Ebebi and Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah, and wife of the first civilian governor of the state, Mrs. Margaret Alamieyeseigha.
Also present were National Assembly members from the state, including Senators Benson Agadaga (Bayelsa East) and Konbowei Benson (Bayelsa Central) as well as House of Representatives members, Chief Fred Agbedi (Sagbama/Ekeremor), Oforji Oboku (Yenagoa/Kolokuma/Opokuma), Engr. Rodney Ambaiowei (Southern Ijaw) and Mrs. Marie Ebikake (Nembe/Brass) as well as Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, other state legislators and the Chief Judge, Justice Matilda Ayemieye.
The event was also attended by Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, his Niger Delta River Basin Development Authority counterpart, Prince Ebitimi Amgbare, and former NDDC Managing Director, Chief Ndutimi Alaibe, and former Presidential Adviser on Niger Delta, Dr. Kingsley Kuku.
The Inspector General of Police was represented by the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 16, Abubakar Zubairu, with the Managing Director of Megastar Technical and Construction Company, Arc. Harcourt Adukeh, Managing Director of Tantita Security Services, Chief Keston Pondi, Chairman/CEO of De Wayles Group of Companies, High Chief Victor Egukawhore, other captains of industry as well as Senator Lee Maeba and the former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Prince Uche Secondus also present,
Equally in attendance were the Head of Service of the Federation, Dame Didi Walson-Jack, retired Justice of the Supreme Court and Pere of Tuomo Kingdom, Justice Francis Tabai, service commanders, religious leaders and top government functionaries
among other dignitaries.
In a related development, Dr. Stephanie Ebidenere Diri, and her spouse, Ballad Tamaradoubra Agbeyei, were on Sunday joined in a Glamorous Wedding at the Royal House of Grace International Church,Yenagoa
The glamorous event had in attendance former First Lady of Nigeria, Dame Patience Jonathan, Governors Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers), Alex Otti (Abia), and their Kogi State counterpart, Ahmed Ododo.
Also present were the first ladies of Kwara, Ogun, Delta, Nasarawa and Taraba states and the wife of the former Edo State Governor, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki.
Presiding Overseer of the Royal House of Grace Church, Apostle David Zilly-Aggrey, who joined the couple after delivering a sermon titled: “Submitting Unto One Another in Love,” charged them to build their home on love, mutual submission and the fear of God.
He said: ”Husband and wife must relate with reverence to the Lord. Remember that God occupies the top of the marriage triangle, with both partners at the base.
”Never forget that God is always involved in your union. The fear of God will ensure that everything you do goes right.”
Acknowledging that no marriage was perfect, the renowned minister advised that whenever there was misunderstanding or communication gap, couples should seek God for direction.
He commended Governor Douye Diri for choosing have wedding in the church, describing it as a great honour.
The father of the bride, Senator Douye Diri, joined by his wife, Dr. Gloria Diri, prayed for God’s blessings, joy and celebrations for the couple as well as the ministers of God present who also prayed for them.
Guests were later entertained at a reception chaired by the Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti.
Otti, in his counsel to the couple, said there will be challenges in their marriage but urged them to device a mechanism for resolving their differences without involving a third party.
He prayed God to bless the union and provide the needed resources for them to care for their family.
His words:”I want to thank all of you who made out time to be with this family and I pray that God will remember you for good as you honour our brother. Stephanie and Ballad, I want to congratulate you and wish you well.
“Today both of your are leaving your immediate families to make your own family and our prayer is that this union will be successful. There are a lot of challenges you will face. You will disagree but what is important is that there must be a mechanism to resolve your differences.
“You must ensure that you manage yourself well. It is not easy but it is possible.”
Other dignitaries present were the wife of the governor, Justice Patience Ama-Diri, the Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Akpe, and his wife, Dr. Favour Akpe, Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, a former Military Administrator of Bayelsa, Colonel Edor Obi (rtd) and a former deputy governor, Hon. Peremobowei Ebebi.
Also in attendance were the Angola Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. José Bamóquina Zau, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, the All Progressives Congress National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, Head of Service of the Federation, Dame Didi Walson-Jack and her husband.
At the event were also Senators Konbowei Benson (Bayelsa Central), Benson Agadaga (Bayelsa East), Sunday Katung (Kaduna South) and his wife, as well as House of Representatives members – Dr. Fred Agbedi (Sagbama/Ekeremor federal constituency), Rodney Ambaiowei (Southern Ijaw), Oforji Oboku (Yenagoa/Kolokuma/Opokuma), Dr. Mitema Obordor (Ogbia) and Marie Ebikake (Nembe/Brass).
Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, the state Chief Judge, Justice Matilda Ayemieye and President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Daniel Ayah, were equally present.
Captains of industry in attendance included High Chief Victor Wayles Egukawhore, Chief Ephraim Faloughi as well as the national chairman of Pan Niger Delta Forum, Dr. Boladei Igali, Senator James Manager, Prince Uche Secondus, Col. Milland Dikio (rtd), King Bubaraye Dakolo and King Joshua Igbugburu among other prominent figures and top government officials.###
