Nigeria’s political and business leaders on Saturday converged on Asaba, Delta State, as Innocent Oborevwori, son of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, married his heartthrob, Tobore Arigbodi, daughter of businessman, Chief Brodericks Arigbodi.
The wedding attracted serving and former governors, National Assembly members, traditional rulers, business executives, religious leaders and other prominent Nigerians from across the country.
The ceremony also brought together politicians from different political parties, highlighting the broad network of relationships surrounding the two families.
Among the governors who attended were Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma; Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni; Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo; Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri; Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri; Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo; Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa; Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani; Sokoto State Governor, Ahmad Aliyu; and Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago.
The Deputy Governor of Delta State, Sir Monday Onyeme, also attended, alongside his counterparts from Ebonyi and Kano states.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, and Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, were also at the ceremony.
Former Delta governors, Chief James Ibori and Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, joined other political leaders to celebrate with the families.
Other dignitaries included Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, Senator Ede Dafinone, members of the National Assembly, Minister of State for Health, Dr Tunji Alausa, Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, former speakers of the Assembly and APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka.
The wedding also attracted prominent traditional rulers, including the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, Major General Felix Mujakperuo (retd.); the Olu of Warri, Atuwatse III; and the Dein of Agbor, Keagborekuzi II.
Leading figures from the banking and business sectors were also present.
They included Chairman of Access Bank Plc, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede; Managing Director of Zenith Bank Plc, Dr Adaora Umeoji; UBA Managing Director, Oliver Alawuba; and Managing Director of PremiumTrust Bank, Emmanuel Efe Emefienem.
First Ladies from several states also attended the ceremony.
The solemnisation of the marriage was held at Living Faith Church, Winners’ Chapel, Ibusa Road, Asaba.
Pastor advises couple
In his sermon, the State Pastor, Pastor Shiyanbade Adekunle, advised the couple to build their marriage on wisdom, sacrificial love, mutual respect and commitment.
Adekunle described wisdom as the “working capital of marriage” and encouraged the couple to rely on God and His Word as they begin their life together.
The wedding reception was held at the Event Centre, Asaba, and was chaired by the Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani.
Sani congratulated Innocent and Tobore, as well as their families, saying the wedding represented more than the celebration of love.
According to him, the marriage brought together two families, their histories and their destinies.
“It is with profound joy and a deep sense of privilege that I stand before you today as chairman of this beautiful reception, celebrating a union that has brought together two families, two histories and two destinies in the sacred covenant of matrimony,” Sani said.
He described the marriage as the fulfilment of the hopes of both families and the beginning of a new chapter for the couple.
The Kaduna governor urged the newlyweds to build their home on peace, love, prayer and understanding.
“May your home be a place of peace when the world is at war, a place of laughter when days are hard, and a place of prayer when challenges come,” he said.
Sani wished the couple a long, fruitful and fulfilling marriage.
The wedding effectively turned Asaba into a gathering point for political, traditional, religious and business leaders, who joined Governor Oborevwori and the Arigbodi family to celebrate the couple.
