Tunde and Wunmi Obe have become the ‘go-to’ couple whenever the issue concerns true love and enduring marriage – especially in showbiz where celebs contract marriages today and dissolve them tomorrow. In this season of love, and not withstanding that Nigeria’s presidential election is slated for Valentine’s Day, Saturday, February 14, 2015, YES INTERNATIONAL! Magazine’s AZUH ARINZE still couldn’t resist asking the scandal-free celebrity couple some questions on love, marriage and more. Enjoy…
What is your definition of love?
Tunde: Love is an inexplicable feeling … Very difficult to explain, but when you feel it, you’ll definitely know it’s love. Something that makes you place a person or thing above all others.
Wunmi: I agree.
What has kept your love for each other glowing all these years?
Tunde: 2015 makes it 27 years. After having answered this question for so many years, I think it can now be summarised as two people whose personalities blend and who in a sense are meant for each other. The God – factor and what I call the marriage ingredients of mutual respect, patience, tolerance and communication.
Wunmi: God, love and friendship.
What would you want changed about each other?
Tunde: What I’ve come to realise is that changing one ingredient in someone might end up changing the whole composition in that person. Marriage is about accepting the other person, warts and all. No one is perfect; including myself.
Wunmi: Nothing.
What has made your marriage enduring?
Tunde: The application of all the ingredients earlier listed, and the fact that we make the effort to keep our marriage interesting.
Wunmi: God, love and friendship.
How do you trash out your differences whenever they arise?
Tunde: We talk through our differences in a civil manner, devoid of foul language.
Wunmi: By talking it through privately – without involving a third party.
What is the toughest battle that you have fought as a couple and how did you overcome it?
Tunde: The 6-year process of building our own house. This, we overcame, by being focused, prayerful and always keeping our eyes on the prize.
Wunmi: Having to deal with the arrival of our first child, having previously been used to being only two in the house. We overcame this with patience and prayers.
What is your greatest wish for this union?
Tunde: To continue to receive God’s favour in our marriage.
Wunmi: I agree.
What plans have you got for this Valentine?
Tunde: Valentine’s day is all about elections this year. But I’m sure we’ll be able to find a little “we” time somewhere in between.
Wunmi: To vote for my preferred presidential candidate.
How about your most memorable Valentine celebrations and gifts received?
Tunde: I cannot pin-point any particular Valentine’s day as being the most special, but the ‘Cupid’s Ball’ years were very memorable. The gifts aren’t important. That I have her to celebrate with every year is a gift.
Wunmi: None in particular. Material things don’t impress me. Just being together each year to celebrate it is enough.
You’ve been an exemplary couple, what is the secret?
Tunde: It still centres on the ingredients listed above.
Wunmi: God, love and friendship
What advice have you got for those who aspire to be like T.W.O?
Tunde: First, you have to marry the one that suits your personality and shares your ultimate life goals. You must also put God first in your relationship.
Wunmi: All relationships don’t work the same way. What works for us may not work for you. So, you must be yourselves, but be patient and tolerant of each other; always put God first and ensure that you are friends, first and foremost.
Lastly, why did you stop your Valentine Show?
Tunde: Lack of adequate funding and sponsorship. But at some point, we do plan to make a huge comeback with Cupid’s Ball.
Wunmi: Precisely.