The Delta State capital, Asaba, was on Saturday transformed into a dazzling gathering of Nigeria’s political, business, traditional and social elite as governors, former governors, federal and state lawmakers, political leaders, council chairmen, captains of industry, traditional rulers and religious leaders converged for the wedding of Innocent Oborevwori, son of Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Oborevwori.
Among the high-profile personalities who graced the colourful ceremony was the former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Godwin Elumelu, OON, who was accompanied by his son, Onyedikachukwu Elumelu.
The presence of Elumelu, a former federal lawmaker and prominent political leader from Delta State, added further political weight to an occasion that attracted leading figures from across Nigeria’s political spectrum and different walks of life.
Also among the Council Chairmen who graced the occasion was the Executive Chairman of Aniocha North Local Government, Hon. Emmanuel Bazim Chinye, who joined other political leaders and dignitaries to celebrate with the Governor and his family.
Innocent Oborevwori was joined in holy matrimony with his heartthrob, Tobore Arigbodi, daughter of Chief Brodericks Arigbodi, at a ceremony marked by glamour, pageantry and an impressive gathering of dignitaries.
The event brought together political leaders across party lines, reflecting the broad relationships and goodwill enjoyed by the families of the bride and groom.
Among the serving governors who attended were AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State; Hope Uzodimma of Imo; Mai Mala Buni of Yobe; Monday Okpebholo of Edo; Douye Diri of Bayelsa; Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa; Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi; Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo; Uba Sani of Kaduna; Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto; and Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger State.
The gathering was equally attended by First Ladies from several states, including Kwara, Kogi, Gombe, Taraba, Nasarawa, Cross River, Ekiti, Sokoto, Kaduna, Borno, Bauchi, Abia, Osun, Edo and Imo.
Also in attendance were the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Sir Monday Onyeme; Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Patricia Obila; Deputy Governor of Kano State; and several other senior government functionaries, political leaders and local government chairmen.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, was also among the distinguished guests.
The list of eminent personalities further included former Delta State governors, Chief James Ibori and Senator Ifeanyi Okowa; Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Chief Festus Keyamo; Minister of State for Health, Dr Tunji Alausa; Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas; Senator Ede Dafinone; Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor; former Speakers of the State House of Assembly; APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka; and members of the National Assembly.
The traditional institution was strongly represented, with the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, HRM Major General Felix Mujakperuo (retd.); Olu of Warri, HRM Atuwatse III; Dein of Agbor, HRM Keagborekuzi II; and other royal fathers in attendance.
From the corporate world came Chairman of Access Bank Plc, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede; Managing Director of Zenith Bank Plc, Dr Adaora Umeoji; Managing Director of United Bank for Africa (UBA), Oliver Alawuba; Managing Director of PremiumTrust Bank, Emmanuel Efe Emefienem; and other leading captains of industry.
The solemnisation of the marriage was held at the Living Faith Church (Winners’ Chapel), Ibusa Road, Asaba, where the State Pastor, Pastor Shiyanbade Adekunle, charged the couple to build their home on wisdom, sacrificial love, mutual respect, faith and commitment.
In his sermon, Pastor Adekunle described wisdom as the “working capital of marriage”, urging the newlyweds to depend on God and His Word as they navigate the different seasons and challenges of married life.
At the reception held at the Event Centre, Asaba, the atmosphere assumed an even more vibrant and celebratory dimension as renowned Nigerian music icon, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, took the stage and added uncommon energy, colour and excitement to the occasion with his music.
Davido’s electrifying performance drew guests into the celebration, with the First Lady of Delta State and mother of the groom, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori, rising to her feet to dance with her son, Innocent, to the admiration and delight of the distinguished guests.
The heartwarming mother-and-son moment became one of the memorable highlights of the reception, as guests enthusiastically celebrated the family and the newlyweds.
The reception was chaired by the Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, who congratulated Innocent and Tobore as well as their respective families.
Sani described the occasion as more than a celebration of love, saying it symbolised the union of two families, histories and destinies in the sacred covenant of marriage.
“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,” he said.
The Kaduna governor said the wedding represented the fulfilment of parental hopes and the beginning of a new chapter in the lives of the couple, who had chosen to journey through life together.
He prayed that their home would remain a haven of peace, laughter and prayer, particularly during challenging moments, while wishing them a long, fruitful and fulfilling marital life.
The high-powered attendance and colourful proceedings, featuring prominent political figures, former and serving governors, lawmakers, council chairmen, traditional rulers, business leaders, religious personalities and one of Nigeria’s biggest music stars, turned the ceremony into one of the major society and political gatherings in Asaba.
Beyond the solemnisation of the marriage, the event provided a rare convergence of Nigeria’s political establishment, traditional institution, business community and social elite, all gathered to celebrate the union of Innocent and Tobore and share in the joy of the Oborevwori and Arigbodi families.
