10 Nigerian Celebrities Couple in Ever-green Marriage
Through the fire to the limit, they have risked it all to stay true to their marital union. At a time when marriages are short-lived, some celebrity couples have proved true to their marital vows. Vanessa Obioha writes about them
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oday marks the 13th anniversary of the Ighodalos and in the usual tradition of Ibidunni, the beauty and brain behind Elizabeth R Events, she will shower praises to the man who walked her down the aisle 13 years ago. It is not uncommon to see posts eulogising her husband on her Instagram page. She never misses an opportunity to share mementos of them together or inspire her over 70,000 followers with their journey of love. But she doesn’t do this in an ostentatious way. It is her own way of telling the world that she got a man who got her back.
The story of the Ighodalos is an inspiring one for newlyweds or couples going through challenges.
Their love story is one plotted around rejection. Ighodalo was formerly married to Lucy AnnSummer during his sojourn in the United States of America. Then, he had not assumed the role of a clergyman. As a carefree man who cared little about salvation, he was the ladies man (and still is). Armed with the right looks, he made many damsels hearts’ flutter. So it was not a surprise that he would capture the heart of Summer.
Their union had all the trappings of true love but when a rough wind blew, their ship couldn’t survive the storm. Ighodalo’s decision to return to Nigeria automatically ended the marriage as both couldn’t sustain their relationships over the long distance.
Notwithstanding, Ighodalo found love again when he met the former lux beauty queen Ibidunni. His union with her however cost him a family. After being remarried for two-and-a-half years, Ighodalo was asked to leave the Christ Church Parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God that he was famed to have nurtured. The news of his sack made headlines.
But all of that is in the past as he and his heartthrob are tending their own flock of worshippers at Trinity House.
The beauty of their union is how they have stayed glued and true to each other despite the challenges they have faced, particularly struggle with fertility. The Ighodalos have in no way worn their problems on their sleeves, instead, they lift each other up (and also others) through words of encouragement and love. Their home is one full of laughter and joy of their children which is visible in the lovely posts Ibidunni shares on her Instagram page. In her words, she and her beau are two hearts beating as one, two heads but one thought, two bodies but one soul!
Richard and Jumobi Mofe-Damijo: Still Loving
If you ask the prince of the silver screen Richard Mofe-Damijo about his marital life, his prompt response will likely be “19 years no be beans.” Indeed, not all couples in Nollywood can boast of such lasting relationships. Formerly married to May Ellen Ezekiel, who unfortunately passed on in 1996, Mofe-Damijo found love again in the arms of the former presenter on Raypower 101.5FM and AIT, Jumobi Adegbesan. Those who worked closely with the latter would easily recall her dreams to be a Mrs. Mofe-Damijo one day. With love, anything is possible. It was only a matter of time before Cupid brought their hearts together and the rest, they say is history. The lovebirds are happily married and are still growing strong every day. Though Jumobi chooses to work from behind the screen, her husband seizes every opportunity to celebrate her on Instagram. If he is not sharing their cute pout photos, he is probably telling his Instagram family how blessed he is to such a ray of sunshine in his life.
Olu Jacobs and Joke Silva: Always Evergreen
Their love story has been told over and over again but we are never tired of hearing it. We love good old love stories like veteran actors Olu Jacobs and Joke Silva to remind us that neither career nor age differences can quench the flames of true love. They command such respect that whenever there is a list of successful marriages in Nollywood, their names will inevitably be on top of that list.
The love story goes that Jacobs met Silva at an Independence Day celebration and he fell in love with her immediately. The story is as simple as that. Yet, the couple are seen as exemplary figures to emulate when it comes to celebrity marriage. On Instagram, Silva calls her husband Sir J and never fails to comment on his good looks. Although Jacobs’ Instagram feed boasts few posts, you can bet that half of the posts celebrate his wife and her career. Perhaps, the magic of their love is how they treat each other professionally both online and offline.