Connect with us

Lifestyle

Marriage not my prayer point—Ini Edo

Published

on

 

‘‘I’m not hoping, and it’s not any of my prayer points.”

Iniobong Edo, popular Nollywood actress, has revealed that marriage is no longer a priority, as it’s not part of her current prayers or hopes.

The 42-year-old married Nigerian-American businessman Philip Ehiagwina on 29 November 2008 in the United States, but their marriage ended in divorce in 2014.

Raising hopes in September, Ini sparked excitement and rumours online when she shared what looked like a wedding announcement. Wearing a traditional Efik bridal outfit in the post, many thought she was engaged and getting ready for her wedding. Her caption, which talked about love and encouraged her followers not to lose hope in finding happiness, added to the speculation.

However, what seemed like a personal life event was a clever promotion for her upcoming four-part series, ‘My Fairytale Wedding,’ which tells the story of a young lady who, with the help of magic (Kayanmata), bags the most eligible bachelor in Lagos. Despite the initial stir, fans soon realised the post was about the show, not her real life.

See also  Marriage not my priority - Ini Edo

 

However, in a frank conversation with PREMIUM TIMES, Ini Edo said, “I’m not crazy about marriage; I’m crazy about having a solid relationship. I’m not hoping, and it’s not any of my prayer points.”

She also reflected on the changing landscape of Nollywood, where women have increasingly taken centre stage. She acknowledged the contributions of female filmmakers like Bolanle Austen-Peters, Funke Akindele, and Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, emphasising that women are now dominating the industry.

Ini began her film career in 2000 and stated, “Females own the industry right now. Women have taken their rightful place, and we have equal rights, so the playing field is open to men and women. Women are driven; they will if they want to achieve something.”

My Regrets
Recall that in a June 2023 interview with Chude Jidenowo, Ini reflected on her past marriage and expressed regret, acknowledging that family pressure heavily influenced her decision to marry Ehiagwina.

See also  Heart Rending: Grieving father holds 15-year-old daughter's hand after she died in the quake: Death toll now more than 8,000

Despite the short-lived marriage, she remains open to marrying again if she finds the right person. The actress also discussed her choice to become a mother via surrogacy, a decision she made after experiencing multiple miscarriages.

In 2021, she welcomed her daughter through surrogacy, using her eggs. For Ini, this was the best path to fulfil her desire for motherhood, and she expressed immense gratitude for the opportunity to raise her child.


The actress, who has been a mainstay in Nollywood since her breakout role in ‘World Apart’ in 2004, continues to shine on screen and as a mother.

The Akwa Ibom-born has over 200 films to her name. She has earned multiple awards and launched a fashion and cosmetics brand, Secrets of April, in 2021. She also co-produced the Netflix series Shanty Town in 2023.

Beyond acting, Ini runs GEMS Africa, an NGO empowering young women, and has served as a special assistant on culture and tourism since 2016.

See also  Aubameyang 'absolutely fine' after heart scare

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Lifestyle

Charly Boy celebrates daughter’s engagement to female partner

Published

on

By

Former president of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Charles Oputa, better known as Charly Boy, has celebrated the engagement of his daughter, Adaeze, to her female partner.

The popular musician, also famously known as Area Fada, shared a video from the engagement ceremony on his Instagram page, describing Adaeze and her partner as his “beautiful Princess and her Husband.”

“Folks, wish dem well for me,” he wrote.

Adaeze also announced the engagement in a separate Instagram post, sharing a photograph of herself with her partner.

“WE’RE ENGAGED!” she wrote, using the hashtag #mrsandmrs.

She described the engagement as the beginning of a lifetime together, expressing excitement about their future.

“Here’s to a lifetime of love, laughter, growth, and making beautiful memories together. I can’t wait for everything God has in store for us. Forever sounds even sweeter with you,” she added.

The announcement has attracted mixed reactions from social media users.

See also  Four killed as another building collapses in Lagos

Continue Reading

Lifestyle

Nigerian-British social media influencer dies after $9,000 penis enlargement procedure in Thailand

Published

on

By


Igho Ubiribo, a Nigerian-British businessman and social media influencer, has reportedly died after undergoing a penis enlargement procedure during a luxury trip to Thailand.

According to findings from an inquest in the United Kingdom, 43-year-old Ubiribo died after the cosmetic treatment triggered a fatal pulmonary embolism.

The businessman, who was also known as “Tiny”, “Denisi” and “Ego”, was on holiday in Bangkok with his wife, Danielle Simba Allen, when he decided to undergo the procedure.

Reports from the inquest revealed that doctors injected about 40 millilitres of hyaluronic acid and lidocaine into his penis at an unnamed clinic in Thailand in March.

After the procedure, Ubiribo and his wife reportedly returned to their Marriott hotel, where they went for a massage.

It was during the massage that he complained of chest pain before collapsing and losing consciousness.

He was rushed to Sukhumvit Hospital, where he was initially able to respond to medical staff.

See also  Gunmen kidnap 10 at Emir’s palace in Kwara

His wife reportedly informed doctors that he had recently undergone penis filler injections, prompting concerns that the procedure may have been linked to his condition.

Medical personnel suspected a pulmonary embolism and recommended further scans, but Ubiribo reportedly lost consciousness before the examination could be completed.

Doctors later transferred him to intensive care, where attempts were made to revive him through prolonged cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

He was pronounced dead in the early hours of March 6.

A postmortem examination conducted in the UK later reportedly found material in Ubiribo’s lungs consistent with the hyaluronic acid used during the penis filler procedure.

Pathologist John du Parcq told the inquest that the substance discovered matched the material injected during the cosmetic treatment.

He said the findings supported the conclusion that Ubiribo suffered a pulmonary embolism caused by the procedure.

The coroner, Jean Harkin, subsequently ruled that the businessman’s death was caused by a pulmonary embolism linked to the cosmetic injection.

See also  Chinese, Nasarawa Gov’s aide, policemen arrested over theft of rail tracks, sleepers

A pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot or other material blocks a blood vessel supplying the lungs, potentially causing sudden breathing difficulties, heart strain and death.

During the inquest, information from Ubiribo’s doctor in London showed that he had previously undergone joint surgeries and had been described as pre-diabetic and suffering from gout.

However, his doctor reportedly said he had no other major medical conditions.

Penis fillers containing hyaluronic acid are marketed as a non-surgical option for increasing girth, but medical experts have warned that injectable cosmetic procedures can carry serious risks if complications occur.

Ubiribo was known for showcasing his luxury lifestyle on social media, where he had about 185,000 Instagram followers.

Reports said he owned a home in Los Angeles valued at about $1.1 million and a London apartment reportedly worth around $600,000.

He married Zimbabwean fashion designer Danielle Simba Allen in a lavish ceremony in 2022.

Following his death, Ubiribo was buried in London in a gold coffin, with reports claiming the funeral arrangement cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

See also  Four killed as another building collapses in Lagos

Afrobeats singer Davido, who was described as a childhood friend of the businessman, attended the funeral and paid tribute to him.

The case has renewed attention on the potential dangers associated with cosmetic procedures involving injectable fillers, after medical evidence linked the treatment to the fatal complication.

Continue Reading

Lifestyle

Help locate my husband! 68-year-old British woman cries out as 31-year-old Nigerian lover disappears after arriving UK

Published

on

By

For 68-year-old British citizen, Dawn Ottewell, it was literally love at first sight after she hooked up with 31-year-old Nigerian, Bright Emokpae on a popular dating App, Tinder.

But what began as a love story conceived in heaven and consummated on earth has ended in heartbreak and a desperate search for answers.

At the beginning,  Dawn, who obviously was consumed by love, quickly made efforts to facilitate Emokpae’s movement to the United Kingdom after their wedding.

But soon after he arrived in the UK on a spousal visa Emokpae disappeared into thin air. At the beginning, Dawn probably believed her new husband had simply stepped out and would be back soon.

But it soon dawned on her that new husband wouldn’t be coming back any time soon.

In a story published in the UK Sun, the love-struck 68-year-old said she met the Edo State born Bright when she was at the lowest ebb in 2021 and he brightened her life with love.

See also  Marriage not my priority - Ini Edo

At the time, Bright Emokpae was reportedly a student in Cyprus and Dawn went on a visit. The couple eventually got married in 2022.

In 2023 Bright was in Nigeria to complete formalities for his visa to the UK courtesy of papers filed by Dawn and he relocated thereafter.

Shortly after his arrival, Dawn claimed that Bright became withdrawn and was always asking for money from her and added nothing to the sustenance of the home.

The pair separated but reunited in October 2023. According to Dawn, Bright reconciled with her because she  received a £63,000 settlement following a botched NHS prolapse operation. But he bolted from their home once again.

Not willing to put up with Emokpae’s flight from home any more, Dawn wants a divorce but her man cannot be located to sign the papers with Dawn speculating that he may have relocated to Scotland.

“He’s done a runner and is refusing to sign the divorce papers because I believe he wants to cling on to his spouse visa,” she said.

See also  Ayu very corrupt: Excerpts from Governor Wike's media chat

But Dawn’s main worry is that if she dies before the divorce papers are signed Bright could inherit her estate. “My biggest fear is that I’ll die before this is sorted out and he’ll run off with the money my three children should inherit,” she said.

She says she feels Bright simply used her to get into the UK and she’s appealing for help to locate him.

“I feel I’m being used,” Ottewell said.

She added, “I would advise people to be very careful who they marry, especially when the person is from abroad, because a lot of them are just doing it for a visa, and then they disappear.”

Continue Reading

Trending News