Gov Diri’s Daughter Weds Ballad Agbeyei In Yenagoa As Jonathan, Otti, Fubara, Ododo, Others Grace Ceremony
The first daughter of Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, Dr. Stephanie Ebidenere Diri, and her spouse, 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 wedding ceremony attracted prominent political leaders, government officials, traditional rulers, business leaders and other dignitaries from across the country.
Among those who attended were former First Lady of Nigeria, Dame Patience Jonathan; Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti; Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara; and Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo.
Also present were the first ladies of Kwara, Ogun, Delta, Nasarawa and Taraba states, as well as the wife of the former Edo State Governor, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki.
The Presiding Overseer of the Royal House of Grace International Church, Apostle David Zilly-Aggrey, who solemnised the marriage after delivering 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.
Apostle Zilly-Aggrey urged the couple to always relate with reverence for God, noting that God must remain at the centre of their marriage.
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 is without challenges, the cleric advised the couple to seek divine direction whenever they encounter misunderstandings or communication gaps.
He also commended Governor Diri for choosing to celebrate the wedding in the church, describing it as a great honour.
The father of the bride, Governor Douye Diri, alongside his wife, Dr. Gloria Diri, prayed for God’s blessings, joy and fulfilment upon the couple. Ministers of God at the ceremony also offered prayers for the newlyweds.
Guests later proceeded to a reception chaired by the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti.
In his remarks, Otti congratulated the couple and urged them to develop a mechanism for resolving disagreements without unnecessarily involving third parties.
He acknowledged that marriage comes with challenges but encouraged Stephanie and Ballad to learn to manage their differences and work together to build a successful home.
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. 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 yourselves well. It is not easy, but it is possible.”
He also prayed that God would bless the union and provide the couple with the resources needed to build and care for their family.
Other dignitaries at the ceremony 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 State, Senator Akon Eyakenyi; former Military Administrator of Bayelsa State, Col. Edor Obi (rtd.); and former Deputy Governor, Hon. Peremobowei Ebebi.
Also in attendance were the Angolan Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. José Bamóquina Zau; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri; National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Ajibola Basiru; Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dame Didi Walson-Jack, and her husband.
Members of the National Assembly who attended included Senators Konbowei Benson (Bayelsa Central), Benson Agadaga (Bayelsa East) and Sunday Katung (Kaduna South), alongside his wife.
Members of the House of Representatives present were 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).
The Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere; Chief Judge of the state, Justice Matilda Ayemieye; and President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Daniel Ayah, were also at the event.
Captains of industry, traditional rulers and other prominent figures who graced the occasion included High Chief Victor Wayles Egukawhore, Chief Ephraim Faloughi, National Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Dr. Boladei Igali; Senator James Manager; Prince Uche Secondus; Col. Milland Dikio (rtd.); King Bubaraye Dakolo; and King Joshua Igbugburu, among other dignitaries and top government officials.
The wedding brought together political leaders, family members, friends and associates of the Diri family to celebrate the union of Stephanie and Ballad and wish the newlyweds a lifetime of love, peace, happiness and fulfilment.
