Delta State-born comedian, Godwin Omoneh, aka Gordons, and his wife, Joy, talk about their 13-year marriage
How did you meet your wife?
Gordons: I met my wife in the 90s. Then, we were students at the Delta State University, Abraka, where we both studied Integrated Science. We discovered we were attracted to each other. We dated for about seven years before we got married.
Was it love at first sight?
Gordons: No, it was not love at first sight. Initially, I did not have the confidence to get close to her or say what I had in mind because of the difference in our social status. She was brought up in a highbrow area while I grew up in a ghetto at Warri. We just became friends and started loving each other as you would expect.
At what point did you eventually ask her out?
Gordons: Fortunately for me, she lived in a hostel close to mine. Being a good cook, I always went over to her place to eat.
Why did you decide to fall in love with someone who was not in the same social class as you?
Joy: He used to come to my hostel with some his friends to visit some girls. Also, he had a dog that always chased after me each time I came around his hostel. Then, I discovered we were in the same department and had a mutual friend. One day, that mutual friend told me that Gordon liked me and I was shocked. I refused his advances because he looked like a cultist and did not appear good looking. I began to avoid him until he confronted me and we became friends again.
Did any of your family members oppose your decision to get married?
Gordons: Her father opposed our relationship initially, but in the end, love prevailed.
What were the initial attractions?
Gordons: I was a good student and had the highest grades in class. Also, I was always neatly dressed. So, I guess she saw that in me. But for me, I was attracted by her beauty. She has good hips and still looks beautiful at her age. I am not a handsome guy so, I wanted to marry someone who would correct the gene in my family so that my children can look beautiful.
Joy: I became attracted when I discovered that he had a heart for God and was a true Christian. Then, I knew that he was the right person for me.
Was it difficult adapting to life as a married woman?
Joy: It was not difficult at all because I married a friend who is always there for me. Most times, he does things for me and has made the marriage easy for me.
Were there times you wished he did a different kind of job?
Joy: Yes. Sometimes, I would tell him I wished he would leave comedy and do a nine-to-five job, but it is his destiny and I cannot change it.
Has anything changed about you since you got married?
Gordons: Nothing has changed, rather my love for her keeps growing stronger every day. Love never fails once it is the foundation of any marriage. We have been through a lot together.
How would you describe your marriage so far?
Joy: It has been an interesting journey. I thank God I married my friend. Once you marry your friend, you will have no problem.
Does your husband portray his usual comical character at home?
Joy: He is an entirely different person at home. Outside, he is Gordons, the comedian and at home, he is Godwin, a husband and father; two different people.
How do you make up when there is a misunderstanding?
Gordons: Right from when we were in school, we sit and talk about any issue we have. If I am wrong, I make sure I apologise and she does same too. We learnt how to be humble, transparent and realistic with one another. Also, we pray a lot.
Who is stricter with the children?
Gordons: My wife is stricter with the children and I am the provider for now, owing to the nature of my job. She trains the children and inculcates good character in them.
How do keep in touch when you are away from home?
Gordons: I have a phone and I communicate with them all the time. My children also have their phones. I keep them abreast of my activities.
How do you spend time with your family?
Gordons: I play a lot, with my children and wife, especially my wife because we are friends.
How do you deal with female fans?
Gordons: I advertise my family all the time to ward off female intruders. I always let people know I am married and I always mention it at every comedy show. I am married and getting into any extra-marital relationship will not give me peace. I always want to be loyal to my wife.
How would you handle any scandal you hear about your husband?
Joy: Firstly, I will hear his own part of the story. No matter the situation or scandal, I will stand by my husband.
Does he help with chores at home?
Joy: Yes, he does. He cooks at home and sometimes, we wake up to an already-prepared breakfast by him.
Do you operate a joint account?
Joy: No, we don’t. We have separate accounts but we know the amount in each person’s account. We share the same email address and when he makes any withdrawals, I get the alert. Before he withdraws huge amounts, he tells me.
Do you have passwords to his social media accounts too?
Joy: Yes, I do.
What advice would you give celebrity couples?
Joy: The most important person they need is God. They need to be real and stand by their partner.
How should celebrities live their life?
Gordons: Every celebrity has a dual image. When they are at home, they should cease being celebrities and be real. They should attend to their families. When they are on the field, they should be humble to everyone. Also, they should have the fear of God.
What pet names do you call each other?
Gordons: I have a lot of pet names for her, but mostly, I call her Oyibu, which means sugar in my dialect.
Joy: I call him G or Honey. – Punch.
