While many believe Nigerian celebrity marriages are doomed to fail, some of such marriages have actually proved such notions wrong. These couples who are constantly in the spotlight have stood by each other through thick and thin, inspiring others with their amazing love stories. One of such marriages is that of Isaac and Nneka Moses, presenters of Goge Africa, their commitment to each and their ability to stand by each other through 12 years of childlessness is quite inspiring. Doyin Adeoye of the Tribune gives us a peek into the world of some of these celebrity couples. Read more below:

Isaac and Nneka Moses
Talk Goge Africa and the first name that comes to mind are Isaac and Nneka Moses’. They are one couple whose marriage tells a story of faith, love and excitement. The couple met in 1996 and by October of the next year, they were married. Seventeen years on and they are still bubbling with the love they started with. Although they faced a challenge that would have destroyed many homes, the couple, despite not having a child in the first 12 years of their marriage, held on to each other.

“The period before we had our first baby, was challenging. We had one in the first year of our marriage, but it was a stillbirth. That was the most challenging period of my marriage,” Isaac said, yet their faith never withered and Nneka delivered a baby boy in 2012. On what keeps them going, Nneka said, “It is easy because whatever decision we make is in the best interest of our vision and passion. There is no superiority contest between us. Above all, we both have the fear of God inside of us.”




Tunde and Wunmi Obe
They are unarguably one of the most exciting couples in the Nigerian entertainment industry. They are energetic, funny and fascinating to watch. The couple that go by the name TWO have been together since their days at the university. They had been together for 10 years, before they finally tied the knot in 1998 and recently, the couple celebrated their 16th wedding anniversary. “I love him so very much, he is my greatest companion,” Wunmi said in an interview, while Tunde said, “I love my wife with every fibre of my body.”

Even through their music videos, one could see a sparkling connection between the two and they have also managed to stay scandal-free over the years. On how they manage to achieve this, the couple believe that God is behind their marriage and that without divine intervention, they couldn't have lasted this long. “Also, we don’t allow a third party because there was no third party when we decided to get married. A lot of couples involve third party because they don’t know how to deal with each other. When you are determined that this marriage would work, you will take steps without inviting a third party,” Wunmi said.

Soni and Betty Irabor
Veteran broadcaster, Soni Irabor and wife, Betty have been married for more than three decades and yet, they still look lovely together. The couple celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary last year and it was proof that love still radiates between them as they grow. Despite both being professionals in their fields, Soni, the CEO, Inspiration FM and Betty, the Publisher and Editor-in-chief, Genevieve magazine, both have found a balance to make their home a standard others could emulate.

“The truth about marriage is that there isn’t one that is perfect. We are talking about strangers meeting, courting each other and deciding to spend the rest of their lives together. “Also let your marriage be your marriage. As much as possible, lock out people who don’t need to be part of the marriage. But I thank God that we never locked Him out of our marriage. He’s been the wind beneath our sail,” Betty said in an interview in her own magazine.

Patrick and Ireti Doyle
Also a couple that have been together for quite a while, Patrick and Ireti Doyle are celebrity couple whose marriage radiates love and passion. Having been together for more than a decade, Patrick and Doyle are a couple with style, elegance and attitudes others would love to pattern themselves after.
“I think we are just lucky to have found each other. We have no strategies or secrets in making the marriage work, but God has just been merciful to us and we just determined to make it work,” Patrick said in an interview.

What keeps them going? how do they manage and survive trying times over the course of their marriage especially with the loss of their second son in 2009? Ireti noted the feeling was indescribable, as Patrick chipped in: “It pays to keep your private life private, so when the storms hit, you handle it privately,” Ireti said.

Olu Jacobs and Joke Silva
Olu Jacobs and Joke Silva got married in 1985 and three decades on, their love life still blossoms. This was more than revealed during Joke Silva’s 50th birthday celebration in 2011, where they both renewed marital vows. Despite the 19-year age difference between them, for Olu, it was love at first sight. Olu recalls:“The first time I saw her, I looked at her and said, ladies and gentlemen, this is the woman I am going to marry.”Words went round over the years that they were calling it quits, as Joke in an interview admitted that they also had their trying times.

“It’s not like we actually separated, but I must confess we were so close to it. It was really a tough time for both of us being couple-in-the-news. However, I thank God for bringing solutions that I never thought were,” she said. They are couples many wonder how they manage to keep it together for years, despite being in the eyes of the world. But Olu Jacobs said “It is always good when God gives you your friend as a spouse, when you meet your friend as your wife, life will be much easier, because when others fail, you will succeed.”

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