Nine years after her divorce, the Nollywood actress iniobong edoPopularly known as Ini Edo, she has opened up about her failed marriage to American businessman Philip Ehiagwina.
The marriage, which lasted six years, saw the now-estranged couple walk down the aisle on November 29, 2008. However, love soured and they divorced in 2014 without children.
While the actress, who recently co-produced the crime thriller ‘Shanty Town’, remains single after her divorce, her ex-husband, on the other hand, is on his third marriage.
Before Ini, he was married to Ruth Okoro, whom he divorced in 2007. The marriage with the famous actress in 2008 was his second. In 2021, the businessman married a woman from his hometown of Irua, Edo State for the third time.
On Sunday, in a video interview session with media personality Chude Jidenowo, the 41-year-old actress revealed why she was skeptical about marriage and how family pressure contributed to her decision.
Host Chude, in a series of short introductory videos on Instagram, said the Akwa Ibom-born actress hinted at how her family forced her to get married even though she wasn’t ready at the time.
He said: “Ini Edo had a lot to vent. How the pressure from her and her family made her get married, and that she regrets it.
“Ini Edo stands as a testimonial, no matter what others say. She got out of a marriage that she was not happy with and she chose the part of motherhood that she wanted.”
However, the actress, speaking for the first time about her failed marriage, shared the reason for her regret.
She said: “Yes, I regretted getting married because it was not the right time, but if the right person comes along, I will do it again. In my time, if the right person comes, if not, then I’m fine.”
During the interview, Ini Edo, who started acting in 2000, also talked about how listening to what people say can sometimes make one make the wrong decisions about oneself.
The actress, discovered by a producer during an audition, noted that people would always be people. To be sane, she said it’s better to own your own life and ignore what they think.
The University of Uyo Theater Arts graduate said: “You live this life for yourself. It’s only you that matters. You cannot be the judge of your own life and my life at the same time, No! This is my own life; I would put up with it.
“The truth is that people don’t care. If you care enough about yourself, that’s enough. Don’t expect people to care. Everyone has their problems to deal with. People have problems.”
“They are only thinking of themselves. They are just using their frustrations and taking it out on you. Perhaps the courage that you have, they do not have. Since you are listening to them, you would sit in the same seat, and that is what they want.
choose surrogacy
Plus, when talking about her decision to embrace surrogacy, the mother-of-one revealed why it was the best option for her.
In 2021, Ini welcomed her daughter through surrogacy. The actress opted for the procedure to have a child. She is about another woman who takes her egg to make a baby.
In the interview with Chude, the actress, who recently co-produced the popular crime thriller ‘Shanty Town’, said that personal reasons led her to choose surrogacy to fulfill her dream of becoming a mother.
ALSO READ: Ini Edo, Lateef Adedimeji and others to receive Face of Nollywood award
She said: “This is my life. You, and I will do. Do what works for you. If you can have 15 children, then I’m happy for you. If I can’t take it like this and I take it like this, then thank God”.
“I chose surrogacy because I had a couple miscarriages and got tired of trying. I didn’t want to try. I don’t have a husband. So, I’m like, ‘I want a child for myself, whether I have a husband or not. I wanted him to be my son, my egg. So luckily my eggs are good. So I did that.”
embracing motherhood
Meanwhile, she expressed the excitement of embracing motherhood and the most exciting thing about watching her daughter grow up.
The actress, who earned a “Best Lead Actress” nomination at the 11th Africa Film Academy Awards for the film “While You Were Sleeping,” said motherhood is a beautiful experience for her.
She said: “Everything is so beautiful. By the look on her face when you leave and come back. Then she sees you. How she lights up her, you know, the hugs.”
“It’s just sweet. And now, watching her grow. I mean, she’s talking now. She is identifying objects. She is barely two years old. She will be two in a couple of weeks.
Ini became famous in 2004 for her performance in the movie titled ‘World Apart’. Actress, businesswoman, and philanthropist, she is a household name in the Nollywood industry. She has appeared in over 100 movies.