Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, on Saturday hosted former First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan, governors, 10 first ladies and other dignitaries at the traditional marriage of his first daughter, Dr Stephanie Ebidenere, to Ballad Tamaradoubra Agbeyei.
According to a statement by Daniel Alabrah, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State, the colourful ceremony took place at the governor’s Sampou country home in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of the state.
Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, chaired the ceremony and attended with his wife, Prof Olufunke AbdulRazaq.
Also present were Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, and his wife, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori, as well as former First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan.
The ceremony also attracted first ladies from Jigawa, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi and Taraba states, while the first ladies of Edo and Benue were represented by coordinators of their respective offices.
Governor Diri, who was accompanied by his wife and mother of the bride, Dr Gloria Diri, prayed for God’s blessings upon the newlyweds.
He urged the couple to build their marriage on love, commitment and faith, noting that no marriage is without its challenges.
“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,” Diri said.
Governor AbdulRazaq congratulated the couple and advised them to always seek God’s guidance in dealing with challenges that may arise in their marriage.
He urged the newlyweds to make God the foundation of their union and resolve their differences amicably.
“Today we join your family in praying for you. We celebrate your successful marriage. Every day that we wake up, you should hand your life’s issues to God and resolve them amicably as you go ahead in your marriage,” he said.
Other dignitaries at the ceremony included the Ambassador of Angola to Nigeria, Dr José Bamóquina Zau; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Dr Heineken Lokpobiri; and former Rivers State Governor, Sir Celestine Omehia.
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Former Bayelsa deputy governors, Hon Peremobowei Ebebi and Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah, were also present, alongside Mrs Margaret Alamieyeseigha, wife of the state’s first civilian governor.
Members of the National Assembly from Bayelsa State who attended included Senators Benson Agadaga (Bayelsa East) and Konbowei Benson (Bayelsa Central), as well as members of the House of Representatives, Chief Fred Agbedi (Sagbama/Ekeremor), Oforji Oboku (Yenagoa/Kolokuma/Opokuma), Engr Rodney Ambaiowei (Southern Ijaw) and Mrs Marie Ebikake (Nembe/Brass).
The Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Abraham Ingobere, other state lawmakers and the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Matilda Ayemieye, also graced the occasion.
The ceremony further attracted the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Dr Samuel Ogbuku; Managing Director of the Niger Delta River Basin Development Authority, Prince Ebitimi Amgbare; former NDDC Managing Director, Chief Ndutimi Alaibe; and former Presidential Adviser on Niger Delta Affairs, Dr Kingsley Kuku.
The Inspector-General of Police was represented by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 16, Abubakar Zubairu.
Other guests included 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; Senator Lee Maeba; and former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Prince Uche Secondus.
The Head of the Civil 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 other senior government officials were also in attendance.
The ceremony brought together political leaders, traditional figures, public officials, business leaders and family friends to celebrate the union of the governor’s daughter and her husband.
