12 Successful Celebrity Marriages In Nigeria

It is obviously no longer news neither is there any drama to hear celebrities, especially in the Nigerian movie industry, end up with failed marriages and broken homes. But in spite of the high rate of separation and divorce in the entertainment world, it is cheering to know that fame and affluence is not all divorce and doom with its attendant dramas.

In Nigeria today, there are 12 famous couples from the Nollywood industry who have happy marriages, which many upcoming stars and youths can emulate. Yes, they have also experienced celebrity gossips yet they are still together.

Indeed marriage is a big decision to spend your life with just one person forever. It is certainly not just another script for a movie or some stage drama. It involves sacrifice, compromise and deep commitment in spite of all odds to stick together after saying the words, “I do”!

Here are the happy 12: 

1.         Olu Jacobs and Joke Silva:

Unarguably Nollywood’s oldest power couple. The duo who are proud grandparents have spent over 30 years of their lives together as a couple. Despite going through some rough times together, losing a child and more, they both remain strong and according to them, the fuel keeping their home is God, communication and trust. 

 2.         Sunday Omobolanle and Peju Ogunmola

Sunday Omobolanle aka Papi Luwe, a renowned comic actor, playwright, film director and producer and his wife, Peju Ogunmola, also an actress have been together for over 3 decades and still counting. Though, not many people are aware that Aluwe was a polygamist as actress Peju Ogunmola is the only known face among them. Aluwe’s first wife is the mother of Sunkanmi and she died a long time ago, precisely in the year 2006.

3.         Iretiola and Patrick Doyle

Nollywood actress Ireti Doyle has been married for over 20 years to ace broadcaster, veteran actor and media personality, Patrick Doyle. Despite several rumours about a breakup, the couple chose to stay committed to each other.

4.         Omotola and Captain Ekeinde

Nollywood sweetheart, Omotola has been married to her pilot hubby, Matthew Ekeinde for 20 blissful years and counting. The couple’s marriage is an enviable one and they have over the years managed to be scandal-free. They are blessed with four beautiful children. 

5. Richard and Jumobi Mofe Damijo

Married for 19 years, Ace actor, Richard Mofe Damijo and former Africa Independent Television (AIT) presenter, Jumobi Adegbesan are still waxing strong and remain dedicated to their marriage despite rumours of infidelity. RMD married Jumobi in 2000, after the death of his first wife. They are proud parents of five children.

6.         Tunde and Wunmi Obe

Tunde and Wunmi Obe, aka TWO, have been happily married for over 18 years. They met and began their music career as undergraduates in the 90s. The couple also featured in drama skits for ‘The Charley Boy Show’ aired in the 90s. The veteran musician and dad of 3 revealed he married a woman who supports his plans and also helps to make good decisions for the future.

7.         Omoni and Nnamdi Oboli:

Married for over fifteen years and blessed with three handsome young men, the Obolis undoubtedly have an enviable relationship. They have successfully been able to balance their individual careers, work and family and are just an epitome of a perfect match. The couple who could pass for siblings are very much into each other that they do literally everything together.

8.         Norbert and Gloria Young:

One of Nollywood’s celebrity couples, the Youngs, have been married for over 15 years. They are proud parents of three beautiful kids. Despite several rumours, the couple has stood the test of time and is still going strong.

9.         Ruth and Odunlade Adekola

Ruth & Odunlade Adekola

Nollywood star actor, Odunlade Adekola is happily married to his sweetheart, Ruth. She is a committed Christ Apostolic Church member and the prayer warrior of the family. They have been married now over 15 years and are blessed with four boys.

10.      Mide Martins and Afeez Abiodun

Nollywood diva and daughter of late Funmi Martins, Mide Martins, has been married to her beau, Afeez Abiodun Owo who is also an actor for over 13 years, and their union is blessed with two girls

Razak Olayiwola and Moji Afolayan

11.      Razak Olayiwola and Moji Afolayan

Razak Olayiwola widely referred to as Ojopagogo by fans of Yoruba movies is married to Moji Afolayan, one of the daughters of late Ade Afolayan, Ade Love. The couple met on the job over a decade ago and has since been married.

12.      Emelia and Ramsey Nouah:

Award-winning actor, Ramsey Nouah has been married to Emelia Philips-Nouah for over a decade and they are blessed with three kids.

Culled From PM News

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5 Investments Every Married Couple Should Make

 

If you want to grow your finances, the best way is investment and deliberately making plans and taking steps to change your lot. But do we really do the same for our marriages and family?

Do you want to grow your marriage? Here are a few bite-sized things to consider doing as a way to invest in your marriage:

1.         Connect Spiritually 

One of the most beautiful aspects of marriage comes with the opportunity to emotionally and spiritually connect with another human being. Add to that, the gift of Christian marriage that gives us an opportunity to connect, not only with one another, but with a holy and almighty God.

Oftentimes, believing couples tend to take their spiritual connection for granted, forgetting that some of the most intimate moments in marriage are when we’re sharing our hearts, communicating what’s in our spirit, and interacting about our relationship with God.

If you’re looking for a really powerful way of investing in your marriage, consider setting some time aside weekly or even daily to pray together and share about what God is doing in each of your lives.

2.         Communicate Regularly 

Believe it or not, the average married couple spends just minutes a day in active and meaningful communication. It’s also a known fact that communication gets less and less with each year of marriage.

This is saddening, because there is so much joy in being able to communicate with your spouse. 

Each level of conversation is important, and has to be deliberately worked into conversation. If you want to do something small that will have a big impact on your marriage, set aside 10-20 minutes a day sitting face to face with your spouse, for the sole purpose of communicating.

Don’t let this be the time to discuss conflict or problems, but just a time to catch up and keep up with one another. 

What was the best part of your day today? or What’s something I can do to help you out this week? The goal of this time is to enjoy each other and encourage one another. 

3.         Touch Often

Before having children, many couples many couples tag along fine. But what happens afterwards?

Many couples hardly ever have any physical contact with each other. No hand-holding. No snuggling on the couch. No arms around the shoulder.

But fast forward a few years and a few kids later, and I totally understand the struggle of trying to connect physically with your spouse, all while being pulled in a million different directions.

But even during seasons of life when it’s hard to come by, physical touch is such an important part of investing in your marriage. Take inventory of your marriage, and find times (or even schedule times if you have to!) where you can be deliberate about holding hands, kissing often, making love, or even doing something as simple as touching your spouse’s back as you pass them in the kitchen.

Physical touch conveys to your spouse that: I notice you, I desire you, and I want to be near you. Talk about a great investment!

4.         Confess and Forgive Frequently

As much as we talk about confession and forgiveness, I believe we often fail to apply it in the context of our marriages, because let’s be honest, it’s a hard task!

The idea of being vulnerable and sharing your weaknesses and shortcomings with another person can be a really hard pill to swallow…which is precisely why God calls us to do it. The practice of letting down our pride in the act of confession opens the door for the opportunity to forgive, which is the sacred glue that holds marriages together.

The couples who are highly satisfied in marriage, are not the ones who have the least amount of disagreement, but the ones who have the most forgiveness. God has forgiven each one of us of so much, and those who live in that freedom are freed to forgive others.

Invest in your marriage by taking the time to search your heart frequently, being honest with your spouse about the things you are longing to change and the areas you need to ask for forgiveness.

5.         "Get Away" Weekly

They say that couples who “pray together stay together”. But I think it can also be said that couples who play together, have the most fun! Life can get busy, and the stress of it all can make us lose sight of the fact that God wants us to enjoy one another and the life he’s given us.

Invest in your marriage by taking one time a week and setting aside the time to go out (or stay in if you can’t afford a weekly sitter) and do something fun!

Play a board game on the living room floor, go out for a fun dinner, take a hike, pack a picnic lunch, or even go on a scenic drive. 

Rekindle your love for one another, by rekindling your friendship.

Investing in your marriage often means doing small things deliberately that will ultimately have a huge impact. Whether you’ve been married for 5 days, or 50 years, it’s never too early or too late to start making a difference in your marriage.

5 Things You Must Know When Your Spouse Struggles with Depression

1.                  Depression is a whole-body problem. It affects our thoughts, actions, feelings, relationships and even our faith-walk. It can literally take over and distort every aspect of our life.

2.                  People don't ask to get this problem and they can't simply will it away. While treatment of depression is very effective, it often requires individual counseling, couples counseling as well as medications. Most people experience relief when they are willing to aggressively tackle the problem.

3.                  Depression impacts marriages. It steals joy and life. It robs not only the person suffering from it, but their mate, their children, their friends and family. This compounds the problem, creating even more distance, and more abandonment and isolation.

4.                  Depression is treatable. If you are willing to seek treatment through individual, couples and medication intervention, most recover. Communication in marriage improves, helping the individual rise out of their depression.      

5.                  Finally, seeking God's help is critical. He is the ultimate source of our joy and promises to give to us life in abundance. Faith in God often leads to seeking wise counsel in these other areas of our lives. Developing a comprehensive treatment plan includes looking at the way we think, dealing effectively with the concrete problems in our lives, obtaining the support of our family as well as enriching our faith-life.

Finding joy is possible, though this may have been missing in your life for some time. Consider whether or not depression has been a secret part of your relationship struggles and if so, seek help.

Adapted from Dr. David Hawkins