Tari Borogha, Yenagoa
Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has advised newly wedded couples to anchor their marriages on love, forgiveness and tolerance.
The governor gave the advice at the wedding reception of his aide, Binaebi Okpofabiri and Janet October Lokpobiri, held at the Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall, Yenagoa, at the weekend.
Diri, who was represented by his deputy, Dr Peter Akpe, said marriage unites two people from different backgrounds, hence disagreements are inevitable.
He said: “No two saints are married because we are all human with individual differences. Surely there is bound to be some difference but it is your ability to manage these differences that matters. Cultivate the habit of tolerance and make forgiveness your watchword.”
The governor congratulated the couple and thanked family members, friends and well-wishers for celebrating with them, saying people should be celebrated while alive.
He also commended the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, who was father of the day, for his contributions to the state and the country.
In his remarks, Senator Lokpobiri, who is an uncle of the bride, congratulated the couple and prayed God to bless their union with peace and lasting love.
Earlier, Chairman of the occasion, Dr Victor Wayles Egukawhore, who is the Chief Executive Officer of De Wayles Group of Companies, urged the couple to cherish their marriage.
The groom, who is an aide to the governor, is from Ogboloma community in Yenagoa Local Government Area, while the bride is a niece of Senator Lokpobiri.
The ceremony was attended by serving and former lawmakers, including Hon. Rodney Ambaiowei and Hon. Benard Kenebai, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Thompson Amule, the Coordinator, Bayelsa State Community Safety Corps, Gen. Eric Angaye, local government chairmen and other government functionaries.
Meanwhile, Deputy Governor Akpe has urged politicians in the state to avoid politics of division.
Akpe spoke during a visit to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency, Chief Selekebina Saboh, at his residence in Yenagoa to celebrate his 53rd birthday.
He said politicians should remember that they share common ancestry and brotherhood before politics.
Responding, Saboh thanked the deputy governor for the visit and commended his leadership style.
