Nollywood actress Patience Ozokwo has shared a personal account of her marriage, revealing that she was married at the age of 19 through an arrangement made by her parents. The actress’s story was posted on a verified social media account, Igbo History and Fact, where she disclosed that her marriage was not a choice she made, but one that was made for her.
Ozokwo explained that initially, she was scared and did not know how to love a man she did not choose. However, with time, love grew between them, and they spent 23 years together as husband and wife. Her husband was ill for 15 years before passing away in 2000. The couple had three children together, and Ozokwo later adopted five more, although one of the adopted children died, leaving her with a total of seven children.
After losing her husband, Ozokwo chose not to remarry, instead focusing on raising her children. Reflecting on marriage today, the actress noted that people often spend too much time trying to fix themselves, yet many marriages still end in failure. In contrast, Ozokwo believes that in her time, marriages arranged by parents were often treated with commitment and endurance, which contributed to their success.
Ozokwo attributed the stability of her home to the strong values she instilled in her children, including respect and responsibility. She emphasized the importance of these values, stating that she has advised her children never to consider divorce. By raising her daughters to be respectful and her sons to be responsible, Ozokwo believes she has built a strong and stable home despite the challenges she faced.
The actress’s story provides insight into the cultural context of arranged marriages in Nigeria and the importance of commitment and endurance in making such marriages successful. Ozokwo’s experience also highlights the challenges faced by women in raising children alone after the loss of a spouse. Her decision to adopt additional children and prioritize their upbringing is a testament to her strength and dedication as a mother.
