Encomium
– Settle for honeymoon in Germany
OLANIYI Afonja, popularly known as Sanyeri, is a Yoruba comic actor. The multi-talented thespian legalized his dalliance with his delectable partner of eight years on Sunday, December 1, 2013, at Anchor Event Centre, Agidingbi, Lagos. In an exclusive chat with ENCOMIUM Weekly on Friday, December 6, 2013, the comic star opened up on joys of marriage and other controversies trailing his wedding.
How does it feel to be married?
It feels good but it is not new. We have been living together and I just wanted to satisfy myself because when we met, I did not have the capacity to do what I did on Sunday.
What is the best thing about being married?
Marriage is a good thing. One needs to always remember your spouse who is at home. You must be mindful of the friends you keep. Your wife is the mirror you look at every morning. You will have peace of mind when married. Basically, marriage is a thing of joy.
Now that you are married, what will change about you?
Really, nothing will change. I have been living with my wife for seven to eight years. I know my wife very well.
How did your paths cross?
I met her at the National Theatre in 2004. That was when I had my first movie production, Okan Eni. After the movie, I saw her standing by a car. At that time, people were greeting me and saying that’s a job well done. Later, I walked up to her, introduced myself as a movie producer. That I produced the movie people just finished watching. She shunned me, and that was it. We met again, three months later and still she did not give me her contact. But she gave me her mother’s contact. When I called her mom, she queried me until I was able to speak with her. That was how we started and here we are today.
What was the attraction?
We are all different and we desire different people. Immediately I saw her, I saw love, a perfect lady that I would love to marry – cute face, wise lady. In fact, I can’t name them all.
Tell us about your wife.
Her name is Omolara Afonja. My wife sells provisions and drinks.
What do you cherish most about her?
I can’t point to one thing but everything about her, even when she is annoyed. I just like everything about her.
Where do you intend spending your honeymoon?
We would be travelling to Germany for our honeymoon.
How would you juggle family and career?
We have been living together for a long time and we understand each other very well. That is not a problem.
How were you accepted by your in-laws?
As an actor, when I went there, they accepted me and believed that whatever their daughter want is what they will accept. Nobody knew things will be better now. I was nobody then, but all I knew was that, I love their daughter.
How many children would you love to have?
We already have two lovely boys and by the grace of God, we would love to have more.
It was alleged that you used your wedding to raise fund and guests were not properly treated.
No matter what you do, people would not appreciate it. A lot of people were at the wedding without the aso ebi. I sold the Ankara for N2,000 and the lace for N20,000. That rumour is not true.
– DOLAPO AMODENI
