By Songu Michael
Seasoned Nollywood actor Segun Arinze has revealed the reason behind his twelve-year hiatus from marriage following the dissolution of his initial marital bond.
Arinze, aged 58, tied the knot with actress Anne Njemanze in 1996, only for their union to unravel in 1997. After abstaining from wedlock for over a decade, Arinze entered into matrimony with Julie in 2008, and the duo now shares three offspring.
During an appearance on the WithChude podcast, Segun Arinze conveyed, “I was perplexed in my quest for the ideal companion” subsequent to his parting with Njemanze.
The filmmaker recounted his involvement in numerous romantic entanglements until an epiphany in 2007 prompted him to beseech divine intervention for a life partner. Arinze confessed to his initial reluctance in discussing his past marriage, elucidating, “Because some matters are best kept private.”
Reflecting on his marital hiatus, Arinze elaborated, “Following the dissolution of my first marriage, I refrained from further nuptials for a span of twelve years. It was not a renunciation of the institution of marriage, but rather a quest for the perfect match that confounded me.”
Recalling the pivotal moment in his life, Arinze detailed, “In 2007, I implored the Almighty to grant me a wife. I was in a multitude of relationships, encompassing a spectrum of emotions from elation to turmoil. At a wedding ceremony, I chanced upon a captivating lady. Overcoming trepidation, I sought her contact details and subsequently arranged a dinner. This marked the genesis of our union. The subsequent years have been a testament to our enduring love, resulting in three cherished offspring. My wife, a legal luminary, also serves as my legal advisor.”
In reference to his past tribulations, Arinze maintained, “The travails of 1997 were met with stoic silence from my end. I opted for reticence then and continue to uphold this stance. It is a chapter of my life that I choose not to revisit. Trials are an inevitable facet of existence, and everyone harbors their own undisclosed struggles.”
