On Saturday, December 10, 2016, famours actor, Hakeem Rahman
formalised his marriage to his pretty lover, Deborah Isiomah Chikogwu at
Ikeja Marriage Registry, Lagos.
The event only attracted a couple of family members and friends.
ENCOMIUM Weekly had a chat with the new couple, and they shared with us their love story and much more…
Congratulations on today’s event?
Thank you so much, my brother.
How does it feel taking this giant stride by formalizing your
marriage to your younger lover, Deborah Isiomah despite many challenges
you might have encountered?
It’s a good thing. Basically, it’s something we have been looking
forward to. We thank God that God made it happen today. And it has come
to pass despite all the challenges along the line that almost put a hold
to it. But thank God we survived the scourge. I believe devil is a
liar. God has put devil and his squad to shame. Basically, we will live
our lives in a peaceful and wonderful atmosphere in Jesus name.
The last time we had a chat with you on the marriage, you
said that would be your first time of taking a woman to the altar. But
the belief was that you’re once married; can you shed light on this?
That’s the belief of people just as you rightly said, because when
you see a mature man, definitely you don’t expect him to be single. But
as a mature man, this is my first time of taking a woman to this level. I
have never taken a woman to the registry, being this committed, doing
the traditional wedding and all that. That has been the first time in my
life.
But you said you have grown up children…
Yes, she knows that.
What happened to their mother?
Myself and their mother were not married but we both have matured
children who are graduates by their own rights. Definitely, they’re not
children, they’re adults as well. Their mother is married to another man
now. So, that’s what led me to be in another marriage now. She has
moved on already. So, I also need to move on. I travelled to the United
States of America and before I came back, she had moved to another man.
Though, we’re not married. So, that means she was not interested in the
relationship again. She has moved on with her life. So, I also need to
move on with mine.
That one took like how many years before you took this decision?
It took me about five years. But Deborah and I met about two years
ago. She’s actually from Delta State; we met in Lagos here about two
years ago. But from the first day I met her, I saw that sign in her that
she’s going to be my wife. I proposed to her on the first day.
How did she feel when you proposed to her?
First, she felt embarrassed because that’s the first day I met her
but I told her God told me I should marry you. And she has been a
wonderful woman ever since. One thing I noticed about her is that any
time I do something good to her; I always get good reward for that from
God. Good results in my efforts. More jobs, more scripts and more money
coming in. That means she is a special child. She’s actually a twin.
Yes, she’s not an ordinary person. She is somebody that if you treat
nicely, you will get better reward for it. That’s why I fell this is the
right person I should get married to.
Would you now say coming together as husband and wife would change everything about your life and career?
Of course, it will change everything. There will be a great
transformation. That’s why when good thing like this wants to happen in
one’s life, a lot of evil people will come around to scuttle it. So,
they tried to frustrate all our efforts to get closer. Every step they
have taken, God has just been able to conquer them. So, we’re more than
conquerors for us to have achieved this today.
How did her family react to her marriage to you being very much older than her?
The age difference is not much she’s not a kid, she’s 20, and she’s a mature woman.
But the news was that Hakeem Rahman was getting married to a 19 year old lover.
(Cuts in) No, they’re wrong. I told you when you called me then that
it’s true. She’s not that young, she only has baby face. She’s very
intelligent. She’s a wonderful person. Even, if I am older than her,
she’s stronger spiritually. She is really co-operating and coping very
well.
How old exactly is Hakeem Rahman now?
I am an adult, I don’t talk about that (laughs).
But there’s this report that you’re 61, how true is it?
(Laughs) That’s not true. Don’t mind them. It’s a lie. Even, my wife
knows my age because my younger ones have revealed my age to her. That
means I am in the same age with her father. It’s wrong, I am not at all
up to that.
But the belief our there is that marrying a younger girl is
not always easy because satisfying them sexually may be very difficult?
God has built me very strong, and I don’t have sex anyhow, I have it
when necessary. So, any time I want it, I do it and enjoy it fully. A
lot of people are looking younger than me but can’t perform the way I
could. I don’t do it anyhow. Sex is a spiritual thing. Each time you
make love, you lose a lot of things spiritually to a woman you do it
with.
Any plan for honey moon?
I doubt it, with the nature of my job. But I intend to go to the US
next year with her. I will get her passport, fix in the visa because I
already have a readymade visa on my passport. So, we’ll go together, and
that’s the end of it. We will definitely do that next year when I am
done with all the jobs on the line for me. I am busy now with some jobs
and while I am busy, she’s also busy doing her business, because she’s a
very good business woman.
How many children do you plan to have together?
We plan for two, a boy and a girl. We want a sizeable family we can maintain because these days, paying school fees is not easy.
How did your children react to your marriage to her?
They love her. They speak with her, especially my last born. They all
love her seriously. They’re so free with her so also she is with them.
My wife is a kind of person that would not do anything unless she brings
the family closer. Even, my younger sisters and brothers, she has
brought everybody closer, breaking the gaps within the family. She’s a
very wonderful and mature human being.
The Bride:
We congratulate you on your wedding today?
Thank you, sir.
How do you feel formalizing your marriage to star actor Hakeem Rahman after all the ups and downs?
I feel great and honoured.
When did the journey as lovers start?
It’s been a while ago.
Like five or six years ago?
No, just about two years ago.
How did you feel the day he proposed to you?
Honestly, I felt happy. I was like: “Me marrying one of the Nollywood
famours actors?” It was like incredible. I feel happy today that it has
come to pass.
Coming from the Igbo culture and marrying a Yoruba man, how do you also feel about that?
It’s not a new thing again. Besides, I was born and bred in Lagos. So, I am used to Yoruba culture.
Where are you from exactly?
I am from Delta, Kwale.
How did your parents react to it when they became aware of your relationship with Hakeem Rahman?
They didn’t react badly because they know he’s a good man. So, they’re happy about it.
But there’s a story that you’re too young to have married him considering the age difference?
(Cuts in) Age is just a number. It’s not the real thing in marriage. Age doesn’t determine love.
That means you really love him irrespective of the age difference?
Yes, I love him. He’s a nice and caring man.
But you also accept he’s much older than you?
Yes, I accept. Just like I said, age doesn’t have anything to do with relationship.
We learnt you’re around 19 or 20, what’s your true age?
I am an adult.
You know he has grown up children already? How do you feel about that?
His children and myself are like brothers and sisters. We relate very
cordially. We’re one big family. They really want me to come into their
family. They really accepted me as one of them.
What’s your wish for this union now?
I pray God will continue to guide us and strengthen us and provide for all our needs.
How many kids do you intend giving him?
Just two, a boy and a girl.
What do you do for a living?
I am a businesswoman, a stylist. But I am still in school, University of Lagos studying Mass Communications.
How are you going to cope marrying a star actor?
I am prepared for that. I will surely cope by God’s grace.