First daughter of the Governor of Bayelsa State, Dr. Stephanie Ebidenere Diri and her spouse, Ballad Tamaradoubra Agbeyei, were yesterday joined in matrimony at the state headquarters of the Royal House of Grace International Church in Yenagoa.
The glamorous event had in attendance former First Lady of Nigeria, Dame Patience Jonathan, Governors Alex Otti (Abia), Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers), and their Kogi State counterpart, Ahmed Ododo, reports The Nation.
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 to have the wedding in the church, describing it as a great honour.
The father of the bride, Governor 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 you 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.
