HOW IBINABO MADE HISTORY AS NOLLYWOOD STARS LIT UP OKRIKA AS IBINABO WED UCHE!

 

The 18^th and 19^th of December, 2014, may have come and gone but it will never be forgotten by the good people of the riverside ancient town, Okrika in Rivers State, Nigeria. One fact that will remain indelible in the annals of the history of Nollywood is the marriage of Ibinabo while being a sitting president. That is not minding the fact that she is historically the first female president of the AGN. Nollywood stars flooded the traditional and white wedding ceremonies of the flamboyant and charismatic President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN ), Ibinabo Fiberisima, to her childhood beau, Uchenna Egbuka.

Ibinabo and Uche tied the knot at the St. Peters Anglican Church, ATC Road, Okrika, around 11:40am. The signing of the wedding register at the vestry of the church was witnessed by the bride’s father, Venerable Enoch Atuboyedia and Reverend Bennete Ibiene who were among the priests that officiated at the service.

The wedding ceremonies started in grand style on the first day, with the brief visit of the Special Assistant to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Kingsley Kuku. The main event began at 2pm a few hours behind the initial scheduled time. The Bride and groom came together to the venue by boat as is the custom of Ibinabo’s people at 4. 29 pm, it was the king like arrival of High Chief Ateke Tom that stole the show. The former Niger Delta militant who is fondly referred to by his subjects and admirers as the ‘Godfather’ came in at 4.45 pm.

Ateke who came in a black chauffeured GMC SUV amidst tight security by his personal guards was welcomed by his followers from the road to the venue. It was a carnival like train only the President of Nigeria may have boosted of. This was followed by songs of praises from different Rivers cultural groups for about 30 minutes. Ateke who is also the Chairman and Father of the Day of the August occasion did a few songs for the couples during the cutting of the cake. The sonorous voice of Ateke singing, took most that were only opportune to hear him sing for the first time by surprise.

Unlike the traditional marriage ceremony that only Francis Duru anchored, he was supported at the reception by Funny Bone and Segun Arinze. The August wedding was titled Fearless Love.

However, among the State Chapters of AGN that were in attendance are Gombe, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Abuja, Katsina, Yobe, Benue, Anambra, Lagos, Bayelsa, Delta, Ebonyi, Enugu, Cross River, Kwara, Kogi, Imo, Abia and the host state, Rivers.

Movie stars at the event include Patience Osokwor, Monalisa Chinda, ,Lilian Bach, Nken Owho, John Ibu, Victor Osuagwu, Charles Owurum, Jibola Dabo, Mercy Aigbe Adeniyi and Fathia Balogun. Others are Doris Simeon, African China, Funny Bone, Segun Arinze, Ifeanyi Dike, Zeb and Chici Ejiro, Kingsley Ogoro, Fidelix Duker, Empress Njamah, Francis Duru, Rita Daniels, Kepi Ekpeyong, Emeka Anyiocha, Andy Boyo, Tony Akposere, Martin Njubigbo, Sunny Macdon, Emma Oguagu, Abubakar Yakubu, Florence Onuma, amongst others.