Encomium
Azeezat and manager hubby Seyi Allen celebrated their 11 years anniversary on June 6, 2013. ENCOMIUM Weekly spoke to the lovebirds about how they have managed their marriage and why there is high rate of divorce in the entertainment industry…
SEYI ALLEN
You have been married for over 10years now, what would you say has kept your marriage?
My promise to me ever for I got married I had promised myself that if I did nothing was going to make me quit it. So I’ve created everything that is necessary to keep it going. Moreover, I’ve got Jehovah on my side.
How do you settle issues that arise in your marriage?
Issues hardly arise, but when they do commitment plays a major role.
Can you recall any matter or issue that shook the foundation of your marriage?
I’m a very strong Christian, she is a very deep Muslim (daughter of an imam).Would she go to church with me sometimes.
Can you recall your love story, how you met and what the attraction was?
My sister that story is so long. I won’t know when it will end after I start it.
What do you think is the cause of other breakup in entertainer’s marriages?
Lack of information management skills and lack of commitment. Don’t leak every information (good or bad). And be committed.
Did you at anytime feel like leaving your marriage?
The devil is an idiot. He will put such suggestions in your head once in a while, especially when issues arise. Laugh it off if you are wise.
Do you adopt any strategies in keeping your marriage?
Lots. They include no third parties in solving issues, keeping vital information, communicating everything (good or bad) and involving Jehovah always.
Any special celebration for this anniversary?
Top secret. The world does not have to know.
What are your wishes for your marriage?
To remain committed till death do us part.
How would you describe the experience as Azeezats manager and hubby?
Being her manager is like working with any other act in the past. Like working with Sunny Neji, Blackky, Plantashiun Boyz and so on. Being her husband is like being a husband to Beyonce.
AZEEZAT
You have been married for over 10years now, what would you say has kept your marriage?
It’s the grace of God that has kept my marriage intact. God makes promises, and He keeps them. He told me He will stand 4 our union as long as I make Him my number one, as long as I make Him my first husband. And that’s what He has done.
How do you settle issues that arise in your marriage?
We talk. We raise our voices sometimes, of course, we’re only human. But we calm down and talk. Oftentimes as a woman, when issues want to arise I pray. When I want to discuss a quarrelsome issue, I invite God to be present. When things want to get out of hand, I continuously remind God, ‘are u here?’ From when I started this, I’ve never regretted. No matter how bad things get, God always resolve things.
Can you recall any matter or issue that shook the foundation of your marriage?
When we started having kids. So many decisions to make. I realized that I had an entirely different concept on raising kids, and so does he. Our entirely different backgrounds that had not been much of an issue before, reared up in very big ways, with very ugly consequences. But once again, God stood up for our union.
What advise would you give celebrities who cannot keep their marriage?
Well, it’s probably the same advise I would give anyone having trouble in their marriages. At different stages in marriage, you get to a point where the only way forward is apart. You really take a good look at it, and you keep ending at the same conclusion: leave! But just know that up till that point, you’ve been relying on your own human wisdom. Step away from all that and start relying on God’s wisdom. It absolutely works.
Can you recall your love story, how you met and what the attraction was?
We met at the Girls Night Out. It was the first edition; I was a contestant, he came with his artistes Sunny Neji and Blackky. Okay I’ll give an exclusive. It was love at first site. It was love at second site I guess. After losing d competition, I was crying backstage when he approached me. He extended his card that I should get in touch with him if I was interested in a music career. Even in my dejection I remember to ‘form’. But he didn’t take the nonsense. I was so pissed, ‘who did he think he was?’
After looking at all my other options, the only lifeline I had then was him. So I swallowed my pride and put a call through. There was no GSM, so someone else picked the call, which further made me give up.
I got called for a music seminar after several weeks, and I went. As I was settling down in my seat, I look across d table, straight into these pair of gentle, vulnerable eyes and I was lost forever. Now that part of the story I’ve never told.
What do you think is the cause of other breakup in entertainer’s marriages?
Wouldn’t know, really. It’s difficult to find true love in the environment we work in. That’s probably one reason. Then also there’s accessibility to other options. If you quarrel and you want to form, you have places to go to. You have access to finance, and u have an idea where to go. Then before you know it, one day will turn to 2 to 3 weeks, 4 months, and then both parties can no longer meet in d middle.
Did you at anytime feel like leaving your marriage?
Yes, several times. But I learnt the art of commitment, which states that no matter what happens, you hold on. And I’ve never regretted holding on. Looking back now, some of my reasons were actually very stupid.
Do you adopt any strategies in keeping your marriage?
Strategies? I really don’t know o. I rely on God. I keep our conversations interesting, keep an open mind for conflict resolution, and of course keep the marriage bed exciting.
Any special celebration for this anniversary?
I know ‘uncle’ has plans, but he’s keeping it close to his heart.
Tell us about your children?
God be praised, I have 2 lovely kids. They’re blessings from God, it took a while, but God has the perfect timing.
What are your wishes for your marriage?
For Him to still continue to stand 4 our union.
Has there ever been any friction in your husband’s role as your manager and your hubby and how have you been able to manage it?
Well, sometimes. But with God all things are possible.
How do you juggle been an artiste and been a wife?
It’s the life I live, I’ve had time for lots of practice. Organization is key, plus delegation, and of course my husband understands my work routine, and he’s very supportive and understanding.
- TOSIN ODUMOSU
This story was first published in ENCOMIUM Weekly on Tuesday, June 11, 2013
