Asaba Hosts Nigeria’s Political, Royal Elite As Oborevwori’s Son, Innocent, Marries Tobore
By PAULINA NZERUBE
ASABA, the Delta State capital, became a major gathering point for Nigeria’s political, traditional, business and religious elite on Saturday as Innocent Oborevwori, son of Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, married his bride, Tobore Arigbodi.
The ceremony brought together governors from several states, senior government officials, traditional rulers, business executives, politicians, clerics and other prominent Nigerians.
Beyond the celebration of the couple, the gathering offered a striking display of the relationships linking Nigeria’s political leadership, traditional institutions and business community.
Governors & Political Leaders Converge
Among the 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 and Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa.
Others included Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi, Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo, Uba Sani of Kaduna, Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto and Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger State.
Their presence underscored the national political reach of the occasion and the significance attached to the Oborevwori family by political actors beyond Delta State.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, also attended, alongside the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Chief Festus Keyamo.
Former Delta governors James Ibori and Ifeanyi Okowa were present as well, while members of the National Assembly and senior state and federal officials joined the celebration.
The gathering also included Delta State Deputy Governor Sir Monday Onyeme, Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State Patricia Obila and the Deputy Governor of Kano State.
Traditional Institutions Add Royal Colour
Traditional rulers provided another important dimension to the ceremony.
Among those present were the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, HRM Major General Felix Mujakperuo (retd.); the Olu of Warri, HRM Atuwatse III; and the Dein of Agbor, HRM Keagborekuzi II.
The Asagba of Asaba, HRM Prof. Epiphany Chigbogu Azinge, SAN, OON, FNIALS, FICMC, LLD(HC), KSJI, KSG, also attended the ceremony.
His Majesty was accompanied by a delegation of Palace Chiefs, signalling the importance the Asaba traditional institution attached to the wedding and its broader social significance.
The monarch used the occasion to emphasise marriage as more than a private relationship between two individuals.
He described it as a divine institution built on companionship, love and responsibility, while stressing its wider importance to society.
“Marriage is the foundation of society,” the Asagba said, praying that the couple’s union would be rooted in love, sustained by understanding and strengthened by honesty.
He also urged Innocent and Tobore to maintain mutual respect, fidelity and commitment throughout their marital journey.
Business Community Joins Celebration
The ceremony equally attracted leading figures from Nigeria’s financial and corporate sectors.
Among them were Chairman of Access Bank Plc, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede; Zenith Bank Managing Director, Dr Adaora Umeoji; UBA Managing Director, Oliver Alawuba; and PremiumTrust Bank Managing Director, Emmanuel Efe Emefienem.
Their presence further broadened the profile of the gathering, which cut across government, commerce, traditional authority and religious institutions.
Several First Ladies also attended, including those from Kwara, Kogi, Gombe, Taraba, Nasarawa, Cross River, Ekiti, Sokoto, Kaduna, Borno, Bauchi, Abia, Osun, Edo and Imo states.
Faith & Family at the Centre
The solemnisation took place at Living Faith Church, Winners’ Chapel, along Ibusa Road, Asaba.
The State Pastor, Pastor Shiyanbade Adekunle, used his sermon to focus attention on the responsibilities that accompany marriage.
He described wisdom as the “working capital of marriage” and encouraged the couple to depend on God and His Word as they navigate the different stages of married life.
The religious message complemented the cultural and political dimensions of the occasion by placing the couple’s future at the centre of the celebration.
Reception Celebrates Two Families
The reception later held at the Dome Event Centre in Asaba.
Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani chaired the occasion and congratulated the couple and their families.
He described the wedding as more than a celebration of romantic love, saying it represented the coming together of two families, histories and destinies.
Sani urged the newlyweds to build a home characterised by peace, laughter and prayer.
His message reflected the broader theme running through the ceremony: that the wedding marked not only the beginning of a marriage but also the joining of two families and their social networks.
A Gathering Beyond the Wedding
The presence of political leaders from different parts of the country, senior government officials, traditional rulers, corporate executives and religious figures transformed the wedding into a major society event.
Yet, at its centre remained the union between Innocent Oborevwori and Tobore Arigbodi.
For the Oborevwori family, the ceremony provided an opportunity to celebrate a significant family milestone surrounded by friends, associates and institutions representing different sections of Nigerian society.
For Asaba, meanwhile, the event reinforced the city’s role as a meeting point for political, cultural and social activities.
The wedding ultimately combined family celebration with a broad display of goodwill, bringing together Nigeria’s political class, traditional authorities, business community and religious leadership to witness the beginning of Innocent and Tobore’s marital journey.
