Ezeibe–Lassina Wedding Draws Top African Dignitaries To Marrakech, Morocco

By Boniface Ihiasota, Washington DC, USA

Marrakech, the historic and picturesque city in the Kingdom of Morocco, was transformed into a theatre of elegance and high society as African political elites, business magnates, diplomats and prominent families converged for the wedding of Munachi “Muna” Ezeibe and Cherina Zerbo Lassina.

The ceremony, which held between May 8 and 9 and covered by Diaspora Watch Newspaper, brought together influential guests from Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Europe, Canada and the United States, in what can be described as one of the most sophisticated African destination weddings in recent times.

The union joined two respected families, that of Nigerian businessman Chief Ezeibe and the distinguished household of former Burkina Faso Prime Minister Dr. Zerbo Lassina.

Former Nigerian Vice President, Atiku Abubakar chaired the event as Father of the Day, adding political gravitas to an already glittering occasion.

In brief remarks that drew warm applause, he recalled his decades-long relationship with the groom’s father, noting that their friendship dated back to the 1980s, long before either man attained national prominence.

Atiku described Chief Ezeibe as “a great trustworthy man,” praising his consistency, loyalty and integrity over the years.

Turning to the couple, he offered a simple but powerful charge: “Love one another, trust each other, and always be there for one another — because at the end of the day, it’s just the two of you.”

He departed for Abuja shortly after, following goodwill messages to the newlyweds.

The emotional tone of the ceremony deepened when the groom’s mother, Mrs. Ezeibe, took the floor to speak about her son.

She described Muna as caring, dependable and exceptionally kind-hearted, recalling a touching childhood moment when he wrote her a letter at the age of eight, promising lifelong love, protection and support.

She disclosed that the letter remains preserved and laminated to this day.

Mrs. Ezeibe also spoke glowingly of Cherina, stating that after meeting her, she became convinced her son had found his true life partner.

She publicly welcomed the bride into the family as her second daughter and urged Muna to continue to cherish and love his wife.

The bride’s mother, Evelyne Zerbo Lassina, delivered a similarly emotional speech, noting the values of faith, unity, generosity and family bonding.

She praised Cherina’s compassionate nature and described Muna as a man of sincerity whose devotion had earned the confidence of her family.

Her remarks were met with repeated standing ovations from guests.

The ceremony attracted a high-profile guest list, including Margaret Obi, wife of Peter Obi; Chief and Lolo Emma Bishop Okonkwo; Chief Walter Chinedu Obi; Dr. Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi and his wife, alongside several other dignitaries from political, diplomatic, traditional and business circles.

In her remarks, Mrs Margaret Obi congratulated the newlyweds and urged them to build their union on mutual respect, trust and understanding.

She described marriage as a sacred institution that thrives on patience, sacrifice and unwavering commitment, while praying for enduring peace, love and prosperity in their home.

“Marriage is not just about the glamour of the wedding day, but about friendship, tolerance and standing by one another through every season of life,” she said. “I pray that your home will continually flourish in love, happiness and God’s abundant blessings.”

She also commended both families for fostering unity and cultural harmony through the union, describing the event as a celebration of African excellence and shared values.

The wedding reflected a rich fusion of Nigerian tradition, Burkinabé heritage, Christian values and international sophistication, with Marrakech briefly serving as a meeting point of African culture, influence and elite social networks.

Trump Rejects Iran’s Peace Response, Says Proposal ‘Totally Unacceptable’

United States President, Donald Trump, has dismissed Iran’s response to Washington’s proposals for ending the ongoing war as “totally unacceptable,” raising fresh fears over the collapse of fragile ceasefire talks in the Middle East.

Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that Tehran’s response, transmitted through Pakistan which has been acting as mediator, demanded an immediate end to hostilities on all fronts, a halt to the US naval blockade and firm guarantees against further attacks on Iranian territory.

The ceasefire brokered to facilitate negotiations after the war launched by the United States and Israel in February has largely held despite occasional exchanges of fire.

Reacting in a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote, “I have just read the response from Iran’s so-called Representatives. I don’t like it — TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE.”

The US leader had earlier declared that the war against Iran would be “over quickly” if Tehran agreed to Washington’s conditions.

The latest diplomatic row came as Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, insisted that Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium must be dismantled before the conflict could truly end.

“There’s still enrichment sites that have to be dismantled,” Netanyahu said in an interview excerpt released ahead of CBS’s “60 Minutes” programme.

Iran, US Exchange Threats Despite Ceasefire Negotiations

The standoff between Iran and the United States deepened on Sunday as Tehran confirmed it had submitted a formal response to Washington’s latest proposals aimed at ending the months-long war that has destabilised the Middle East and rattled global oil markets.

The development came amid fresh threats from both sides, with Iranian leaders warning neighbouring Gulf states against cooperating with American sanctions while US President Donald Trump declared that Tehran would no longer be allowed to “play games”.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, whose country has reportedly been mediating between the warring parties, disclosed that Islamabad had received Iran’s response but declined to reveal details of the document or whether it had already been transmitted to Washington.

The latest diplomatic manoeuvres unfolded against the backdrop of a fragile ceasefire brokered to facilitate negotiations after the war launched jointly by the United States and Israel against Iran in February.

Although the ceasefire has largely held, sporadic exchanges of fire and threats of escalation have continued to fuel fears of a broader regional conflict.

US media outlet Axios reported that Washington’s proposal was contained in a one-page, 14-point memo outlining sweeping conditions for ending hostilities.

According to the report, the proposals include suspension of Iran’s uranium enrichment programme, the lifting of sanctions on Tehran, and restoration of free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic waterway through which nearly one-fifth of global oil and gas supplies pass daily.

The report, citing unnamed American officials and sources familiar with the negotiations, stated that several conditions would only take effect after a comprehensive final agreement was reached.

Iran’s semi-official ISNA news agency, however, said Tehran’s response focused primarily on “ending the war and maritime security” in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.

The comments underscored Iran’s continued determination to leverage its control of the waterway despite mounting international pressure.

Iran has maintained restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz, a move that has triggered spikes in global oil prices and heightened anxiety in international energy markets.

Washington, in turn, has intensified pressure on Tehran through a naval blockade targeting Iranian ports, further inflaming tensions between both countries.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, while avoiding direct mention of the American proposal, insisted that Iran would not capitulate under pressure.

“We will never bow our heads before the enemy, and if talk of dialogue or negotiation arises, it does not mean surrender or retreat,” Pezeshkian declared on Sunday.

Trump, however, maintained a combative posture, insisting the conflict would soon end on American terms.

In a fiery post on his Truth Social platform, the US president accused Iran of decades of hostility against Washington and vowed that Tehran’s actions would no longer go unanswered.

“For 47 years the Iranians have been ‘tapping’ us along, keeping us waiting, killing our people with their roadside bombs, destroying protests… They will be laughing no longer,” Trump wrote.

The American president’s remarks came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanded tougher conditions before any declaration that the war was over.

Netanyahu said Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium must be dismantled completely, insisting that several enrichment facilities remained operational.

“There’s still enrichment sites that have to be dismantled,” the Israeli leader said in an interview excerpt released ahead of a CBS “60 Minutes” broadcast.

The increasingly hardline rhetoric from Washington and Tel Aviv has provoked alarm across the Gulf region.

Iran on Sunday warned neighbouring countries against aligning with US sanctions or military efforts, threatening “severe consequences” for vessels crossing the Strait of Hormuz without Tehran’s cooperation.

Military spokesman Mohammad Akraminia dismissed American naval operations in the region, saying the US would “never be able to turn this vast expanse into a real blockade”.

The threats heightened fears of disruptions to international shipping as Tehran intensified warnings against Western military deployments.