Nollywood director, Patience Oghre and her husband, a movie producer and actor, Osezua Stephen-Imobhio, share their love story in this interview with Spice!
How did you meet your spouse?
Patience:We met at a
Director’s Guild of Nigeria election over a decade ago. A mutual
industry friend of ours introduced us. When he requested for my
telephone number, I was not aware of his intentions.
Director’s Guild of Nigeria election over a decade ago. A mutual
industry friend of ours introduced us. When he requested for my
telephone number, I was not aware of his intentions.
Osezua: Before we met, I
was used to seeing her name in major TV productions. As you would
expect, I looked forward to meeting her in person.
was used to seeing her name in major TV productions. As you would
expect, I looked forward to meeting her in person.
What were your first impressions of each other?
Patience: He was and
still is good looking. I was also intrigued by the fact that he was a
producer because I felt that we could collaborate on a few projects. But
when he began calling me frequently and made no mention of a
production, I sensed he had developed some romantic feelings towards me.
still is good looking. I was also intrigued by the fact that he was a
producer because I felt that we could collaborate on a few projects. But
when he began calling me frequently and made no mention of a
production, I sensed he had developed some romantic feelings towards me.
Osezua: I saw a good-looking and industrious lady in her.
Were you seeing anyone when your paths crossed?
Patience: No, I wasn’t and neither was I searching as I had just come out of a bad relationship.
Osezua: I was immersed
in a production when we met. By our second date, I already knew I was
going to marry her. I called her the mother of my children.
in a production when we met. By our second date, I already knew I was
going to marry her. I called her the mother of my children.
Does it matter that you both work in the same industry?
Osezua: Yes, it does as
it gives us so much to talk about. For instance, when we go to the
cinema, we discuss as professionals and not like the average filmgoer.
Our interactions have also enhanced our careers.
it gives us so much to talk about. For instance, when we go to the
cinema, we discuss as professionals and not like the average filmgoer.
Our interactions have also enhanced our careers.
Have you both been involved in the same production?
Osezua: Yes, we have worked on several productions together as partners and also when we are contracted by an independent producer.
Patience: We were both on the set of the TV series, Dear Mother. I directed the series and when a role came up, I invited him to play the role.
How did it feel like directing your husband on set?
Patience: I pay more
attention to his acting whenever he is on my set because he is my
husband. On a particular instance, I wasn’t satisfied with the way he
interpreted his role. At some point, I felt I was too hard on him and he
was as embarrassed as my crew were. Even though many felt I was too
stern with him, I did that because I wanted nothing short of the best. I
have directed him several times and it is always a thrilling and
gratifying experience for me.
attention to his acting whenever he is on my set because he is my
husband. On a particular instance, I wasn’t satisfied with the way he
interpreted his role. At some point, I felt I was too hard on him and he
was as embarrassed as my crew were. Even though many felt I was too
stern with him, I did that because I wanted nothing short of the best. I
have directed him several times and it is always a thrilling and
gratifying experience for me.
Osezua: When I give my
best, she doesn’tcommend me but I watch her compliment others who do not
play their roles as well as I have. At such times, I begin to wonder
why she acts that way. Ironically, she calls on me whenever she runs
into a problem especially when it has to do with serious interpretation
of roles. As a trained stage actor, I am well versed in the basics of
acting.
best, she doesn’tcommend me but I watch her compliment others who do not
play their roles as well as I have. At such times, I begin to wonder
why she acts that way. Ironically, she calls on me whenever she runs
into a problem especially when it has to do with serious interpretation
of roles. As a trained stage actor, I am well versed in the basics of
acting.
How long have you been married to your wife and how did you propose?
Osezua: We have been married for almost 10 years.
Patience: He did not propose; he literarily harassed me to marry him.
Did you have the support of your families from the outset?
Patience: My husband’s
family is warm and accommodating. My sister in-law also came around to
talk me into believing her brother. My mother raised me because my
father is late. She was also eager to see me get married but she was not
desperate as to accepting just any kind of suitor.
family is warm and accommodating. My sister in-law also came around to
talk me into believing her brother. My mother raised me because my
father is late. She was also eager to see me get married but she was not
desperate as to accepting just any kind of suitor.
Aside from physical qualities, what else do you admire in your spouse?
Patience: I admire his
intellect and his humane nature. I don’t think we would have been
compatible if he weren’t as intelligent as he is. He knows so much about
everything and he is a voracious reader.
intellect and his humane nature. I don’t think we would have been
compatible if he weren’t as intelligent as he is. He knows so much about
everything and he is a voracious reader.
Osezua: I also love her
intelligence and accommodating nature. She also nudges me to become the
best version of myself. Like most good women, I treasure her ability to
combine her career, keep the home and raise our four sons in the right
way. She is also as culturally inclined as I am and I think that is a
plus.
intelligence and accommodating nature. She also nudges me to become the
best version of myself. Like most good women, I treasure her ability to
combine her career, keep the home and raise our four sons in the right
way. She is also as culturally inclined as I am and I think that is a
plus.
What would you love to change about your spouse?
Patience: I wish he
could become a lot faster. As a goal-getter, anytime I want something
done, I want it done right away. Even though he achieves his goals, I
wish his speed could match mine. He recently turned 50 and has
accomplished so much.
could become a lot faster. As a goal-getter, anytime I want something
done, I want it done right away. Even though he achieves his goals, I
wish his speed could match mine. He recently turned 50 and has
accomplished so much.
Osezua: Now that she
has revealed my age, people will think I am old. I wish she could live
up to her name-Patience. I wish she could just be a little more
patient.
has revealed my age, people will think I am old. I wish she could live
up to her name-Patience. I wish she could just be a little more
patient.
When you have to be on location for long, how do you ensure the home does not suffer?
Patience: Fortunately
for me, my husband is an independent producer, so he has time for
himself. He is able to plan his schedule to favour our family calendar.
Whenever I have to be on a location, I do a lot of bulk buying. I also
do not allow myself get carried away on set such that I would forget my
family. I also pray for my family a lot.
for me, my husband is an independent producer, so he has time for
himself. He is able to plan his schedule to favour our family calendar.
Whenever I have to be on a location, I do a lot of bulk buying. I also
do not allow myself get carried away on set such that I would forget my
family. I also pray for my family a lot.
Who apologises first after a disagreement?
Patience: My husband is
first to say sorry because he is a peace-loving man. Most times, he is
the reason why we disagree in the first place. I also apologise when I
am at fault.
first to say sorry because he is a peace-loving man. Most times, he is
the reason why we disagree in the first place. I also apologise when I
am at fault.
How would you describe your marriage?
Patience: He is my best
friend, as I don’t keep so many friends. We always have so much to talk
about and we relate with each other more as pals.
friend, as I don’t keep so many friends. We always have so much to talk
about and we relate with each other more as pals.
Osezua: I have so many
friends, colleagues and acquaintances, some of whom I have known for
over 30 years. Yet only a select few know where I live. Patience is not
only my wife, she is also my girlfriend and colleague. Sometimes, when I
am returning home and realise that she has yet to return home, I drive
around for a while just to bid time. Even when I get home into the
loving arms of our children, I still feel her absence.
friends, colleagues and acquaintances, some of whom I have known for
over 30 years. Yet only a select few know where I live. Patience is not
only my wife, she is also my girlfriend and colleague. Sometimes, when I
am returning home and realise that she has yet to return home, I drive
around for a while just to bid time. Even when I get home into the
loving arms of our children, I still feel her absence.
Do you belong to the same groups or forums?
Osezua: Yes, we do and
sometimes when she drops a comment on a forum, I try not to contribute
around the same time. I do so to avoid turning it into a husband and
wife affair.
sometimes when she drops a comment on a forum, I try not to contribute
around the same time. I do so to avoid turning it into a husband and
wife affair.
Patience: Did you mention that sometimes, you delete me from some forums without my knowledge and permission?
Osezua: I do so whenever I notice that the forum is not productive.
Has marriage deprived you of your freedom?
Osezua: To a large
extent, I give my wife freedom to pursue and achieve her goals. I also
exercise some liberty within the confines of our marriage as a man.
extent, I give my wife freedom to pursue and achieve her goals. I also
exercise some liberty within the confines of our marriage as a man.
What counsel do you have for intending celebrity couples?
Patience: They must do
away with the celebrity status whenever they are with their spouse or at
home. They must also learn to trust their spouse and get ready for the
attention and fame that comes with being married to a celebrity.
away with the celebrity status whenever they are with their spouse or at
home. They must also learn to trust their spouse and get ready for the
attention and fame that comes with being married to a celebrity.