Veteran singer and human rights activist, Onyeka Onwenu, has revealed that her marriage would have killed her, hence she had to get a divorce.
She said this while speaking in an interview, ‘Real Talk’ with media personality Kikelomo Atanda-Owo.
Speaking on her marriage, she stated that it was a difficult experience for her and her children.
“It was difficult for me, because I really didn’t want my marriage to end. But I couldn’t take anymore. It would have killed me. I always say, and that is the truth. And it was not good for the children to be in that kind of environment.
“Where the mother is depressed, the mother is carrying the weight of the whole family. I raised my children from kindergarten to Master’s degree.
“My husband did not pay school fees for one day. He doesn’t give me housekeeping money, it’s hard to believe. He was a nice and kind and generous man.
“Yeah, he was so generous occasionally, even though he would do something for you.
The ‘Iyogogo’ singer who divorced her husband in 1984 said that any man who doesn’t take care of his family is ‘irresponsible.
“I will like to say this to Nigerians, any man who has children or has a family and decides not to take care of them, you will have to answer to God.
“That’s mean, irresponsible, wicked even to your own children. Forget about the wife.
Onwenu further revealed that her failed marriage made her write a book she believes would encourage women going through tough times in their various homes.
“I decided to write about it because women will keep quiet for too long. We take so much and you are dying. Once I open that, I felt this relief that another woman will read it and say thank you for talking about this, we know now that we ought to free ourselves and not for divorce.
“But I think if you’re going to divorce, it should be done peacefully, it should be done in such a way that you go your separate ways and you can remain friends,” she said.
