By Adeniyi Onifade
In a typical African society, it is a usual norm that men can marry at any age they wish to, especially when they feel they are not financially or otherwise ready. However, the same cannot be said of women where the female folks are expected to find suitors and settle down at most after acquiring a tertiary education certificate. This is an advancement from age long practice of marrying off young ladies after primary or post-primary education.
In today’s African society, the narrative is gradually changing. The usual norm of women getting married at a young age is slowly but steadily being eroded as women are beginning to become more daring and ambitious in sharing corporate and business places with men with little regards for settling down.
This trend is usually rife now among female celebrities in the music and movie industry.
Overtime, these celebrities have dedicated years in building their career and taking care of their bodies to still look golden and attractive against all odds.
As such, it is gradually dispelling the age long believe that a woman cannot get a suitor once she is above the age of 35. The trend has become evident in female celebrities today as many are single moms, while others just get married.
The new thinking among the ladies of today, is that marriage is not everything; that is why they have decided to stay single even when their age is fast going down. For instance, Rita Domimic at the age of 46 just got married in April 2022 to her heartthrob, Fidelis Anosike, the publisher of Daily Times Newspapers.
She is a famous Nollywood actress and a television personality, regarded as one of the best industrious actresses in Nollywood and also one of the highest paid actresses in Nigeria.
She was born on 12th July, 1975 in Mbaise, Imo State in the south eastern part of Nigeria. She is the youngest child in a family of four siblings. She is always known for featuring in romantic, sorrowful and action thriller movies. She has been in the industry for over two decades.
Until last year when she unveiled romantic pictures of herself and Mr. Anosike, many of her fans never thought she would get married again, especially at a prime age of 46.
Similarly, Nigerian filmmaker, music video director, movie director, television director and producer, Kemi Adetiba tied the knot with her Ghanaian lover who is a music executive, Oscar Heman-Ackah.
Her works have been aired on MTV Base, BET, Channel O, Soundcity and Netflix. She also got married in April 2022 at the age of 42 as she was born On 8th January, 1980.
It would be recalled that Kemi Adetiba had shared beautiful moments from her surprise marriage proposal, which occurred in Ghana on 28th January, 2022. The King of Boys filmmaker revealed that her lover, Oscar Heman-Ackah popped up the big question, and she wholeheartedly said yes.
Meanwhile, ever glowing actress like Kate Henshaw known for her romantic roles in movies, is still single even at the age of 51. She was born on 19th July, 1971 in Calabar, Cross River State in the south southern part of Nigeria. She is originally from Calabar in Cross River State, Nigeria. She is the oldest child in the family of 4 children. She has starred in movies like The Harlot, Dangerous Silence, The Legend, Canal Desire, When the Sun Sets, Stronger than Pain, and many more.
Also Genevieve Nnaji is a Nollywood actress, producer and a television personality always known for staring in romantic movies. She has been regarded as the highest paid actress in Nigeria and also the richest actress in Nigeria. She was born on 3rd May, 1979 in Mbaise, Imo State in the south eastern part of Nigeria. She is currently 43 years old and still single. Genevieve Nnaji has never been married although she had a child when she was a teenager.
Also such, many Nigerians are forced to say that against all odds, women are damning the assertion of early marriage as they pursue their career rather than settling down.
This is fueled by the numerous agitations and advocacy for equality for women and girls in all spheres of life and equal representation at all levels.
The narrative is also changing with the recent advocacy and enlightenment campaigns by women groups and civil society organizations on why women can attain the highest heights of their career rather than being relegated to being housewives.