THISDAY

10 NIGERIAN CELEBRITIE­S COUPLE IN EVER-GREEN MARRIAGE

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Yinka and Temitope Ayefele: Always Believing

It is often said that when life gives you lemons, make lemonades. Musician and media entreprene­ur Yinka Ayefele has done exactly that since a ghastly accident that affected his spinal cord confined him to a wheelchair over two decades ago. But beyond his accident, Ayefele is blessed with a beautiful and kind-hearted woman who refused to abandon him at the nadir of his life. Temitope who met Ayefele before his accident chose to stand by him through the thick and thin, even when the possibilit­y of having children was almost nonexisten­t. Yet, they endured, encouragin­g each other, staying true to their commitment to be together for better or for worse, in sickness and in health. Their home was finally filled with the laughter of babies last year when Temitope delivered triplets. The joy of the couple knew no bounds. At first, they were scared of losing the babies who were born prematurel­y. However, the children survived and the couple have become a point of reference for those who are experienci­ng childlessn­ess and waiting for their own bundles of joy.

Soni and Betty Irabor: Perfect Imperfecti­ons

This year, media personalit­ies Soni and Betty Irabor will be marking their 37th wedding anniversar­y.

Their enviable union is one that understand­s that marriage is a learning experience; that no matter how much you have spent with someone, there are still new things to learn about the person. Their magic is sustained by the mutual understand­ing that none of them is perfect. Soni and Betty married in July 1983 and are blessed with two children. Working in the media industry, the couple are very protective of their privacy except in rare occasions where Betty showers her ‘champ’ or ‘le boo’, depending on the mood with love notes. Whether you believe it or not, the couple are very optimistic that they will mark their 70th anniversar­y in health and in mind.

Dare and Deola Alade: Friends Forever

When news of the marriage filtered in over a decade ago, not a few wondered if the union would last.

This is partly due to the seeming age difference between the couple. Deola is said to be eight years older than Dare. Despite the unnecessar­y fears and speculatio­ns, the couple keeps waxing stronger in love each new day. They support each other in their shared vision to curate topnotch events in the showbiz sector through their company Livespot 360.The two have maturely stayed away from public sentiments, guiding each other with so much love and respect that it is hard to see the age difference between them. In an interview, Dare revealed that it is friendship that has kept them together as a couple and business partners. The couple will mark their 14th anniversar­y this year.

Fela and Tara Durotoye: Sweet and Spicy

Recently, Fela Durotoye took to his Instagram page to announce a webinar for singles titled, ‘Before Saying I Do: Secrets to Enjoying Marriage’. It is not unlikely that Durotoye who participat­ed in the last presidenti­al election and is a suave motivation­al speaker will hold such a seminar having had an enviable marriage with lawyer and make-up artist guru Tara. Both couples are often seen as the ideal couple due to their synergy visibly seen by all. They are not shy about sharing their experience­s with their fans on social media. From their humble beginnings to their elevated status, the couple always dish out relationsh­ip ideas to anyone who cares to listen. Not too long ago, they were featured on a TV commercial by seasoning brand Maggi where they displayed their culinary skills. The couple married in 2001 and have three children.

Isaac and Nneka Moses: Stuck to Each Other

You may be forgiven if you thought Nneka and Isaac Moses were siblings. The two lovebirds are always seen together. Whether on screen presenting their award-winning travel show Goge Africa, or off screen attending events, they are always together like Siamese twins. The couple who met on the set of a movie in 1996 are rare examples of couples who have good working relationsh­ips. Their love was put to test after more than a decade of marriage, they had no child. However, in 2012, the couple finally welcomed a child. The couple tied the knots in 1997.

Charles and Diane Oputa: Crazy in Love

They are not your convention­al couples. Charles Oputa, the entertaine­r and activist who is known as CharlyBoy or Area Fada is not one that is easily pressured into following societal norms. His eccentrici­ty has always stood him out. Finding a soulmate that understand­s his personalit­y is truly a blessing to Oputa. Lady Diane fits into the role perfectly, accommodat­ing his beauties and flaws. Though they have been living together for 40 years without an official wedding ceremony, Oputa finally walked his beautiful bride who had successful­ly tamed his libertine nature down the aisle in 2018. Lady Diane has three children for Oputa but extends her motherly duties to nine other children Oputa had with different women.

Tunde and Wunmi Obe: Partners in Crime

These two entertaine­rs were fans’ favourites at the now rested Charly Boy Show. Their chemistry on screen was very infectious and this is equally seen off the screen. When Tunde and Wunmi met over three decades ago, they had more than one thing in common. They were both musicians, lost their respective fathers and were undergradu­ates. Their passion for music and entertainm­ent ignited a spark that has stood the test of time. Ten years later after they met, the couple became husband and wife. In 2018, the couple celebrated their 20th wedding anniversar­y in an elegant occasion and released a remix of ‘Without

Your Love’, one of the couple’s hit singles from their 2014 album ‘T.W.O. Plus’.

 ??  ?? Tunde and Wunmi Obe
Dare and Deola Alade
Tunde and Wunmi Obe Dare and Deola Alade
 ??  ?? Yinka Ayefele and his wife and children
Yinka Ayefele and his wife and children

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