Although she has since found refuge in her first love-acting, Nnenna Nwabueze-Okonta popularly known as Merit in the pioneer movie, “Living in Bondage”, will not forget in a hurry the good times she had with her late husband, Chief Okonta.
Okonta died few days to their 22nd wedding anniversary, which came up on March 15, 2016 and the actress will forever miss her husband.
In a telephone chat with HVP, the actress said her husband died on the 7th of March after a protracted illness while their wedding anniversary came up on the 15th of March. He was buried on the 19th of March.
“It has not been easy, but I am coping with my new status. It’s painful loosing a loved one to the pangs of death,”she added.
Merit may be at a loose end following the death of her hubby but doesn’t want to impose herself on anybody, hence she finds refuge in acting.
“It’s a good thing that before his demise, I staged a comeback to the industry. It’s like a refuge for me. Instead of staying at home and feeling loss, I decided to hit the location to meet people and feel happy. It provides me a source of income.”
“Being a widow comes with so many challenges. Friends will abandon you, but my family is there for me.”
The actress listed companionship, friendship, security, love and protection as some of the things she would miss about her late husband. Merit returned to acting last year, after she disappeared from the screen for over 21 years.
She starred in an Igbo film titled, “ Ndi Gbo Ochie” (Primitive), which was shot in Asaba. – Vanguard.
