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By Our Correspondent
The First daughter of Bayelsa State Governor, Dr. Stephanie Ebidenere Diri, and her husband, Ballad Tamaradoubra Agbeyei, were on Sunday joined in holy matrimony at the state headquarters of the Royal House of Grace International Church in Yenagoa.
The glamorous ceremony drew high-profile dignitaries including former First Lady of Nigeria, Dame Patience Jonathan, Governors Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers, Alex Otti of Abia, and Ahmed Ododo of Kogi.
Also in attendance were the First Ladies of Kwara, Ogun, Delta, Nasarawa and Taraba states, as well as the wife of former Edo State Governor, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki.
Presiding Overseer of the Royal House of Grace Church, Apostle David Zilly-Aggrey, who officiated the wedding after a sermon titled “Submitting Unto One Another in Love”, charged the couple to build their home on love, mutual submission and the fear of God.
“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,” he said.
“Never forget that God is always involved in your union. The fear of God will ensure that everything you do goes right.”
Apostle Zilly-Aggrey acknowledged that no marriage was perfect and advised that couples should seek God’s direction whenever there were misunderstandings or communication gaps.
He commended Governor Douye Diri for holding the 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, while ministers of God also offered prayers for them.
Guests were later entertained at a reception chaired by Governor Alex Otti of Abia State.
In his counsel, Otti said challenges were inevitable in marriage but urged the couple to devise internal mechanisms to resolve differences without third-party interference.
“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,” Otti said.
“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. You will disagree but what is important is that there must be a mechanism to resolve your differences.”
Other dignitaries present included the wife of the governor, Justice Patience Ama-Diri, Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Akpe and his wife, Dr. Favour Akpe, Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, former Military Administrator of Bayelsa, Colonel Edor Obi (rtd), and former deputy governor, Hon. Peremobowei Ebebi.
Also present were the Angolan Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. José Bamóquina Zau, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, Head of Service of the Federation, Dame Didi Walson-Jack and her husband.
Lawmakers in attendance included Senators Konbowei Benson, Benson Agadaga, Sunday Katung and his wife, as well as House of Representatives members Dr. Fred Agbedi, Rodney Ambaiowei, Oforji Oboku, Dr. Mitema Obordor and Marie Ebikake.
The Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, Chief Judge, Justice Matilda Ayemieye, and President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Daniel Ayah, were also present.
Captains of industry and traditional rulers including High Chief Victor Wayles Egukawhore, Chief Ephraim Faloughi, PANDEF National Chairman, Dr. Boladei Igali, Senator James Manager, Prince Uche Secondus, Col. Milland Dikio (rtd), King Bubaraye Dakolo and King Joshua Igbugburu were among other prominent figures at the event.
