Oshiomhole, Anenih, others grace Olu of Warri’s son’s wedding

IT was a gathering of who is who in Nigeria,
weekend, when the daughter of Benin-born billionaire, Ivie
Uhunoma Okunbor, and son of the Olu of Warri,
Utieyinoritsetsola Ayonmigbesimi Emiko, concluded their
traditional wedding ceremony in the ancient city of Benin,
Edo State.
Over ten private jets conveying dignitaries from different
parts of the country for the colourful ceremony landed at
Benin Airport between Friday and Saturday.
Apart from solidifying the relationship between both
families, the occasion brought warring leaders of All
Progressives Congress, APC, and Peoples Democratic Party,
PDP, in the state together.
The leaders of both parties buried their political differences
to honour the father of the bride, Captain Hosa Okunbor,
who is well known for his philanthropic gestures in the
state.
Remarkably also, the marriage further solidified the
historical relationship between the Bini and the Itsekiri.
As it seems, Prince Emiko only came home to take one of
his kindred as wife.
Recall that Prince Iginuwa, heir apparent to the Bini throne
in the 14th century, left Benin and founded the Warri
Kingdom.
Today, the Olu of Warri, a descendant of Prince Iginuwa,
now sits on the throne.
It was not surprising that the ceremony was like a home
coming for the Itsekiri palace chiefs and political leaders
who stormed Benin City, dressed in their traditional attire,
as their Bini counterparts.
Dignitaries at the occasion included Governor Adams
Oshiomhole of Edo State; National Chairman of APC, Chief
John Odigie-Oyegun; Chairman Board of Trustees of PDP,
Chief Tony Anenih; Minister of Works, Architect Mike
Onolemenmen; Special Adviser to President Goodluck
Jonathan on Inter-party Affairs, Senator Ben Obi; Publisher
of Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Sam Amuka; former Chief
Whip of the Senate, Senator Rowland Owie and wife;
President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Austin
Alegbe and Chairman of Sky Bank, Dr. Tunde Ayeni.
Others were President of the Christian Association of
Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejiafor; Speaker of Edo State
House of Assembly, Uyi Igbe; Chairman of APC in Edo State,
Anslem Ojezua; Chairman of PDP in Edo State, Chief Dan
Orbih; Chief Tom Ikimi; Mr. Chibudom Nwuche, former
Deputy Speaker House of Representatives; Chief Ifeanyi
Uba; Julie Coker, Solomon Edebiri, Senator Daisy Danjuma
and former Deputy governor of Edo State, Mr. Lucky
Imasuen.
Also at the wedding were Minority Whip of the House of
Representatives, Mr. Samson Osagie; Pastor Osagie Ize-
Iyamu; former Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly,
Mr. Victor Ochei; Chief Ayiri Emani, Chief Tunde Smooth,
Gen.Charles Airiavbere,(rtd); former First Lady of Edo State,
Mrs. Eki Igbinedion; Endurance Odubu wife of Edo State
Deputy Governor; Mr. West Ehigie Idahosa, members of
Benin Traditional Council and many others.