It was indeed a shocker when in the early hours of Monday,
July 15, 2013 it was widely reported that actress Funke Akindele and her
husband Kehinde Almaroof Oloyede are no longer together. What started on blogs
and social media soon spread to national newspapers. Akindele remained silent
for days, and many fans hoped this was yet another wicked rumour.
But to the disappointment of her fans, the actress emerged
in the evening of Friday July 19 to confirm she’s actually separated from her
husband of one year Kehinde ‘Almaroof’ Oloyede. Nigeria’s most talked-about
wedding of 2012 is over. Gone, in one year, and on record as one of the
country’s shortest celeb marriages ever.
NET investigations reveal that the estranged couple’s
problems started months ago and got to its peak only a few weeks before the
Facebook announcement by Oloyede. While Funke Akindele was trying to achieve a
quiet separation and eventual divorce with little or no public coverage, hubby
Oloyede took to social media to broadcast the break-up.
He wrote, ‘It’s with heavy heart that am announcing the
separation of me and ma wife Mrs olufunke akindele, we’ve both agreed to go our
separate ways coz of irreconcilable differences. we still best of friends nd we
4ever remain gud friends. Am doing just fine, gettn along without u, don’t need
u anymore in ma life. u d greatest mistake av made in recent time.’
Funke’s decision to marry the real estate businessman in
2012, was severely criticised by her fans and the media who wondered why she
should get involved in polygamy. She rebuffed critics and went on to have one
of the most glamourous weddings of last year on May 26, 2012, leaving days
later for a honeymoon in the UK.
Months after the wedding, Kehinde was reported to have
impregnated a certain lady, Modinat Nike Dada. The couple did all they could to
cover up the mess, but it was out in the open.
Apart from Modinat, there was the eldest wife, Fadekemi, who
felt betrayed by Kehinde’s marriage to Funke. Sources maintained that Fadekemi
and Modinat neither supported Funke’s marriage to Kehinde and even though he
went ahead to marry her, they firmly objected the union. NET gathered that
there were issues from Funke’s family too, especially from her immediate
family. But the lovers went ahead, against all odds. And it seemed to all that
they had both found happiness in one another.
What went wrong?
It is no more speculation that the marriage, which was
contracted on Saturday May 26, 2012, months after Nigerian Entertainment Today
first spotted the couple at Industry Nite, at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos, has
entered seriously troubled waters.
With more angles now coming out, including allegations
‘Almaroof, the man who stole Funke’s heart last year, swept her off her feet
and landed her in the altar, has become a serial baby daddy, keeping a string
of affairs, and even returning to the women he had prior to the celebrity
wedding with Funke Akindele, it was only a matter of time before it was all out
in the air.
Just like Mercy Johnson, who had a big pre-wedding scandal
on her hands after the wife of the man she was to marry stepped out and tried
to stop the wedding, Funke also had disgruntled wives to contend with. There
were many fans, friends and colleagues too, who felt she did not need to settle
with an already married man; with the attendant drama and chaos. But, as it is
in the things of love, just like Mercy, Funke went ahead to tie the knot in
what was unarguably, the most expensive, most glamorous celebrity wedding of
2012.
‘Everyone close to them knows the thing is not working and
Funke is very unhappy. People have been advising her. She has just been busy
shooting and trying to occupy herself. They have not even lived together since,
but they are not divorced, and it is not like it is officially over. Couples
separate and come back together. Even some divorced couples still settle. So
why are people talking as if this is final?’ one friend told NET, over the
weekend, insisting ‘people should mind their business or pray for the couple’
She was happy beyond limits on her wedding day. And the days
to come were full of bliss. So were did it all go wrong? Or was it a facade all
along?
Why the marriage failed
Prior to their high society wedding, it was widely reported
that Kehinde had several children from different women, a fact that was no
mystery to Funke. It was reported that he was married to two of the women, an
allegation that the ‘Jenifa’ star denied in an interview with a publication.
She boasted, ‘I can tell you authoritatively that my husband
is not married to anyone else. Yes, he has beautiful children, who are not mine
and we have a cordial relationship, which dates back to even before we got
married.’
But insiders have told Nigerian Entertainment Today that the
actress would later shockingly find many surprises along the way; even as
husband and wife started to discover there were so many things different about
each of them. ‘You know when you are in a relationship, it is always a
different thing from when you are in a marriage. Funke and Kenny have always
had problems but they have managed to conceal it from the public. I don’t know
if they have truly separated, but the marriage was becoming shakier by the day’,
a confidant who did not want to be named told us..
For months there had been concerns that Funke’s husband was
rarely seen around her at most events she honoured. Mr Oloyede’s photos are
nowhere to be found on Funke’s Instagram page where she’s very active.
It was also widely speculated by observers that the
marriage, right from the inception, seemed like it was destined to fail because
of all the controversies that surrounded it. From Kehinde’s many wives to many
children, and of course alleged strings of affairs, many opined it was surely
going to hit the rocks sooner or later.
Moreover, for some reason, the couple allegedly chose to
live apart, an action which, sources say, did not help their bonding.
If Funke no longer trusted her husband, then she was not
alone. Many say it is possible Almaroof became suspicious of a very busy woman,
especially withy her endorsement galore and frequent trips. But, unlike
Almaroof, it is not certain if there were confirmed instances of infidelity on
Funke’s part.
‘He can never say he caught her with any man, or that she
cheated’, one Funke friend told us. Many others refused to comment on what is,
understandably, a sensitive issue.
Discrediting LIB
When popular blogger, Linda Ikeji broke the news of the
crash, she also claimed that Funke’s publicist had confirmed the reports to
her. Funke’s publicist, Ayo Ola-Mohammed denied this, insisting she did not
speak with the popular blogger who many celebs love to hate.
‘My attn’s jus bn drawn to LIB claiming 2 ve spoken to Funke
Akindele’s Pubicist confirming her story. 4 records, Linda & I never
spoke!’ Ayo tweeted – clearly ignoring the big question is the story true or
not?.
She did not respond to NET enquiries.
Did Funke lie?
Days after the news of her crashed marriage went viral,
Funke Akindele denied the reports in a widely circulated text message, even
threatening to sue. ’What proof do you have? And I am taking this to court
because my marriage is intact. You guys are rumour mongers’, the text message
read. ’What proof do you have? And I am taking this to court because my
marriage is intact. You guys are rumour mongers’, the text message read.
In a chat with blogger Stella Dimoko Korkus, Funke said,
‘First of all let me clarify that I have not replied any sms or spoken to
anyone on this development before now and neither have I threatened to sue
anyone, I do not know who sent out that sms denying that my marriage is over’.
Whose mistake; Funke’s or Kehinde’s?
In his Facebook message which announce to the world the crack
in their marriage, Kehinde referred to Funke as the greatest mistake he has
made in recent times. ’Am doing just fine, gettn along without u, don’t need u
anymore in ma life. u d greatest mistake av made in recent time’, he wrote.
This assertion leaves one thinking-who made a mistake? Was
it Kehinde or Funke?
Funke had everything going for her, a budding career and a
growing list of endorsement. Many believe her first mistake was getting
involved with a man who was already married, and was rumoured to have an
unquenchable thirst for women.
Her second mistake, according to NET findings, was assuming
that once she and Kehinde were married, that he would only have eyes for her.
If for some reason, she thought she could change the man, then that was her
third mistake.
But it is apparent Almoroof has his many goofs too, and as
one pundit put it ‘they will begin to emerge in no time. All the possible
misdemeanour that could make a man say his wife is the greatest mistake he’s
ever made. He’ll begin to speak soon. Only a matter of time’.
Will Funke marry again?
Many celebs that have been unfortunate to be involved
breakups usually end up remaining single or just starting another relationship
that may not necessarily lead to marriage. There are, however, others, who keep
hopping from one marriage to another.
Funke in her case has a budding career to bother about, even
though at 36, age is no longer on her side.
A bonafide Nollywood millionaire, will she go on to become a
single mom while continuing to build her brand? Or will she give in to love again
and give marriage another try?
Kenny Oloyede appears to be a family man in this undated
picture.
The man Almaroof Oloyede
Before Funke Akindele’s path crossed with Almaroof Oloyede
in 2008, the businessman and politician’s fame was only known in the Oshodi
axis of Lagos State where he is actively involved in party politics.
Popularly known as Kenny Doo, he is the son of Alhaja
Almaroof, who at present is the Iya Oloja of Oshodi market, as well as a woman
leader in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Almaroof is highly into real
estate.
He once contested for the position of Local Government
Chairman and membership of the House of Representatives in two different
elections on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He later became
the Special Assistant to former Minister of Works, Adeseye Ogunlewe. After
serving out his appointment, he returned to Lagos to focus on his property
business.
Funke’s private world
Since the reports filtered into the media, Funke, has been
inundated with calls from family, friends and colleagues, including
politicians, pastors and Imams. And the messages are a mixture of consolation,
counseling, and attempts at reconciliation.
NET gathered the actress shooting in Enugu when the news
broke. She has since returned to her Ikeja, Lagos home to the support of her
family.
One of the most influential faces in Nollywood, Funke
Akindele shot to national fame following the success of her movie 2008 Jenifa.
She has since joined the millionaires’ club, settling down to fame and fortune,
years after entering the industry through the popular TV series ‘I Need to
Know‘ sponsored by the United Nations Population Fund..
In 2009 she won the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) for
‘Best Actress in a Leading Role’. Many of her movies, ‘Omo Ghetto’ parts 1
& 2, ‘Ojo Ketala‘ and ‘The Return of Jenifa‘ have become blockbusters
grossing millions of Naira in returns.
And, in spite of controversies surrounding her rumoured
romance with Femi Adebayo who was also married, her image remained mostly neat
and clean, until the drama that came with her wedding to Almaroof.
She is currently brand ambassador for Globacom, Klin
Detergent, Vitafoam, Jobberman and Lagos Inland Revenue Service
Why do celeb marriages fail?
Jennifer Eliogu who recently joined the league of actresses
with broken homes admitted in an interview, ‘It’s unfortunate that marriages
are breaking up, but it’s not synonymous with the industry. It happens in every
sector. When two people are not compatible or having misunderstandings, there
might be break up, sometimes they make up eventually and sometimes they don’t.
I think it’s just the devil at work.’
In her own case, Chika Ike who recently finalized her
divorce claimed her marriage wasn’t just working. ‘I ended my marriage because
it wasn’t working’, the actress stated in a recent televised interview.
Some celebrities have also accused the media for being
responsible for breaking many celebrity marriages. ‘Most of the things written
about celebs in the media are lies. With all the scandalous stories, it becomes
hard for any woman to allow her son to marry an actress’, Benita Nzeribe told
Nigerian Entertainment Today.
Who Will Save Celebrity Marriages?
At a time when global moral values are on a rapid decline,
it is not surprising that the nuclear family structure, and the conventional
marriage institution, is greatly endangered. Marriages appear to be breaking up
more than ever before. Single parenting is on a steady rise while the number of
young people who are developing a phobia for marriage is alarming. For those
who get married, and indeed, the marriages that seem to ‘survive’, stories of
trouble abound: married couples now cheat on each other with reckless abandon;
the rate of spousal abuse is on the high; some of those who stay on do so for
reasons other than those for which the marriage was contracted.
It is even worse for Celebrity marriages. Way before Ayinla
Kollington and Salawa Abeni, celebrity marriages have been known to be
painfully ephemeral. Clashing Egos. Conflicting schedules. Issues of Control,
Money matters, Domestic priorities, Internal complex, Cheating. Communication
crisis. Just like any other marriage, the list of what can possibly go wrong is
unbelievably long. And just like any other marriage, there are possibilities of
external influences: friends, siblings, parents, neighbours, mentors etcetera.
What’s different for Celebrity marriages is the huge
interest of fans and the media in their affairs. A little spat at the departure
lounge, or a one-week mutually-agreed separation can turn into a media scandal
of great proportions if care is not taken. Poor media handling, common in these
parts, makes matters worse, causing us to lose some of our favourite couples in
the process.
And it’s rather troubling that the break-ups move quickly
from separation to divorce proceedings, with communication between the partners
totally broken down in some cases.
The nightmare of the Alec Godwin-Kefee scandal is still
fresh in our memories. Femi and Funke Kuti, who recently concluded their
divorce, broke our hearts when they separated years back. Frank Edoho and his
wife Katherine are currently going through the trauma of separation and pending
divorce. Same for 9ice and Toni Payne, Ara and Nurudeen, Daniel and Doris
Ademinokan, Hazida and Zaaki Azzay and several others. Other victims include
Edward Ashiedu and Kenny St.-Brown, Iyabo Ojo, Monalisa Chinda (and her
ex-husband Dejo Richards, who has since remarried and separated again), Soul E
and Ure Okezie, Goriola Hassan and Ayo Adesanya, Bukky Wright (who’s been
through at least two divorces with prominent celebrities), Stella Damasus and
Nzeribe, and many, many more.
The recurring cause in most of these break-ups: Abuse and
cheating. The resulting chaos makes life difficult for the offspring and other
close relatives; while the negative publicity throws a huge question mark in
front of the word ‘marriage’.
Abroad, more and more celebrity marriages are failing too –
the most recent being those of Maria Shriver and Arnold Schwarzenegger, Elin
and Tiger Woods, JLo and Mac Anthony, Vladmir and Lyudmila Putin. The shock of
the Kimora Lee and Russel Simmons divorce is yet to fade away; as more and more
celeb marriages collapse like a pack of poorly-arranged cards. Many are now
staying away from the institution. And those who go on, go in with signed
pre-nuptials, and lawyers on standby.
If the marriage institution is to be saved, we will need to
pay serious attention to this extremely worrying situation, and seek for
practical ways to make celebs live by example and make marriage work.
Youngsters look up to pop stars, actresses and other entertainers; fashioning their
lives after these ‘models’ and hoping to someday be like them. Imagine the
effects of the Kefee divorce or the Frank Edoho scandals on their
fan-followers? Or the unfolding Funke-Kenny situation?
The media, religious organizations, NGOs, immediate and
extended families and other stakeholders have very vital roles to play. Celeb
Couples also need to go into marriage for clear reasons, understanding the
intricacies of their profession and status, and appreciating the fact that what
happens in their lives will by effect, influence millions around the world, and
by extension, society at large.
It would be nice if we can also take lessons from the likes
of Tunde and Wunmi Obe, Matthew and Omotola Ekeinde, Betty and Soni Irabor,
Joke Silva and Olu Jacobs; and others who have, despite all odds, kept their
union strong and safe…
Femi and Funke Kuti have concluded their divorce after years
of separation
Popular Celebrity separations
Broken marriages are a very common feature amongst celebs.
Some actors will tell you that broken marriages is not perculiar to celebs, but
a function of the wider society, and because they are in the limelight, their
divorces become topic for discussions. Here’s a list of some of the popular
celebrity divorces.
1. Nike Osinowo and Tunde Soleye
2. Joseph Benjamin and wife
3. Monalisa Chinda and Dejo Richards
4. Stephanie Okereke and Mike Iloanyusi
5. Fred Amata and Agatha Amata
6. Chika Ike and Tony Eberiri
7. Kingsley Ogoro and Esse Agesse
8. Laide Bakare and Okunfulire
9. Eucharia Anunobi and Charles Ekwu
10. Clarion Chukwurah and Tunde Abiola/ Femi Oduneye
11. Foluke Daramola and Tunde Shobowale
12. Ayo Adesanya and Goriola Hassan
13. Shan George and Tony Nwosisi
14. Hilda Dokubo And Karo Mbrakpo
15. Saidi Balogun and Fathia Balogun
16. Kate Henshaw and Roderick James Nuttal
17.Doris Simeon and Daniel Ademinokan
18. Bimbo Oshin and Ola Ibironke
19. Moji Olaiya and Bayo Okesola
20. 9ice and Toni Payne
21. Eddy Montana and KSB
22. Kefee and Alec Godwin
23. Stella Damasus and Emeka Nzeribe
24. Tchidi Chikere and Sophia Chikere
25. Bukky Wright and Femi Davies
26. Bukky Wright and Bolaji Saheed
27. Soul E and Queen Ure
28. Femi Kuti and Funke Kuti
29. Zaaki Adzee and Hadiza
30. Frank Edoho and Katherine Obiang
31. Steph Nora Okere and Lanre Falana
32. Binta Ayo Mogaji and Jibola Dabo
33. Uche Osutule and Obi Osutule
34. Evi Edna and Emma Ogoli
35. Segun Arinze and Ann Njemanze
Timeline of love gone sour
2008- Funke and Kehinde meet on a movie set where Kehinde
had come to visit a friend.
2011- The pair remained friends until Kehinde officially
asked to date the actress.
February, 2012- Kehinde proposes to Funke
March, 2012- NET reported the first official outing as a
pair as they were spotted at the Oriental Hotels, Victoria Island, Lagos for
the May D hosted Industry Nite event.
May 26, 2012- The widely celebrated 3-part wedding between
Funke and Kehinde took place at the Haven Event Centre, Ikeja, attended by a
host of celebs and entertainers.
May 30, 2012- The newly weds flew to the UK where they
enjoyed their honeymoon.
June 22, 2012- Funke accompanied by Kehinde was at the
University of Ibadan where she was given an award of recognition for being a
positive role models for Nigerian youths.
July 22, 2012- Funke made her first major public appearance
(although without her husband) since her wedding at Davido’s ‘Omo Baba Olowo’
album launch concert at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos.
August 24, 2012- Funke celebrates her 35th birthday with a
small reception for friends, colleagues and of course husband, Kehinde who
later whisked the actress to an undisclosed location where the celebration
climaxed.
October, 2012- A woman, Modinat Nike Dada is reported to be
pregnant for Funke’s husband, Kehinde.
November, 2012- A popular soft-sell publication reports that
Funke has had a miscarriage from a 4 months pregnancy, the actress denies
report.
July 15, 2013- Kehinde Almaroof announces on Facebook that
the one year old marriage is over.
July 16, 2013- Funke’s publicist, Ayo Ola-Mohammed denies
telling a blogger, Linda Ikeji, that Funke’s marriage is over.
July 17, 2013- In a widely circulated text message, Funke
denies the break-up stories, claiming her ‘marriage is intact.’
July 19, 2013- Funke eventually speaks through her
publicist, admitting that the marriage is finally over.
Gbenga Adeyinka compered the couple’s wedding reception back
in May 2012
Friends, colleagues, fans speak
Ope Banwo- ‘I encourage her to be calm even as things get
are bound to get bit rough over the next few weeks in the wake of her
heartbreaking separation. Yes, Bad things do happen to Good People, and
regardless of what anyone may say is the cause, or why she even married the guy
in the first place, I believed it is always better to have dared and fail, than
never to have dared at all. So, my friend, keep your head up and NEVER LOSE
YOUR SENSE OF HUMOUR.‘
AY, comedian- ‘I‘m sorry, I do not usually have a public
opinion on other people’s marriages. It isn’t a good thing and I cannot
comment’
Desmond Elliot- ‘I’m afraid I have no comments on that. And
until I can get a proper confirmation from Funke, there’s no comments from me.’
Gbenga Adeyinka- ‘For reasons best known to me, I don’t want
to talk about it at all. Please understand’.
Emem Isong- ‘I have not heard anything about it and there’s
really nothing I can say.’
Ibinabo Fiberesima- ‘It is not in my place to make a comment
about other people’s affairs, but I can only wish her well’.
Michael Aghragha: ‘What has happened is indeed unfortunate.
The only thing left for her to do now is pick up the bits of her life and move
on’
Mercy Oloku: ‘She is one of my favourite Nigerian actresses
and I feel sorry for her. At least she has a viable acting career to get her
mind off the whole break-up saga’.
Femi Fadiji: She should have seen it coming. A man that that
already had other wives before you, would one day fix his eyes on other women
outside. That’s just the way it works.
Chinonso Ekeh: Life goes on. It probably wasn’t working and
so I don’t expect her to die there. Yes, she has made a mistake, but it’ time
to move on and try not to make such mistake again.
Joke Silva and Olu Jacobs at Silva’s 50th birthday, 2011
Celebrity couples with the longest marriages
1. Olu Jacobs and Joke Silva
2. Tunde and Wunmi Obe
3. Sony and Betty Irabor
4. Zack and Ngozi Orji
5. Charly Boy and Lady Diana
6. Matthew and Omotola Ekeinde
7. Isaac and Nneka Moses
8. Ejike and Ogechi Asiegbu
9. Kenny and Bolajoko Ogungbe
Watch a very happy Funke Akindele shred and throw her
wedding bouquet below.
Source: NET
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