Jeremiah Gyang, a musician, has been married to Ladi for four years. They share their love story in a chat with punch, see excerpts below:
How did you meet each other?
Jeremiah: I met her 12 years ago in my church. It was during a week-long event. She walked right in while I was on the keyboard. The second I set my eyes on her, something changed in me. I was lost in my emotions yet I was logical to the last verse. I was deeply in love with a complete stranger.
Did you notice him then?
Ladi: It was his father’s church and it was located around where I lived with my parents. Luckily for him, we decided to worship there since it was newly set up in the area. I didn’t notice he had his eyes on me, but all I saw was a very young guy who was really good with the keyboard even though I didn’t know much about music then. I only realized he had his eyes on me later on when we became friends.
How did you get her attention?
Jeremiah: I became friends with a very committed member of the church who was her neighbour. Looking back now, I think it is because that was the first time in my life I wrote a love song, considering how much a radical religionist I was.
What were some of the hurdles you crossed to reach her?
Jeremiah: I went with my newly- made friend to know his house. As we walked to his house, I saw her and she spoke to me. Sadly, by the time we got to my ‘new’ friend’s house, he walked me out. This was after we both figured that we were in love with the same girl.
Ladi: I was shocked and excited at the same time to know he had to become friends with my neighbour just to be close to me. I am aware of what transpired between both of them that day. The guy did ask me out but I wasn’t really interested in him because I saw him as a brother and we grew up together.
Why did you settle for Jeremiah?
Ladi: His manner of approach and confidence won me over. He knew what he wanted and went for it.
How did you propose to her?
Jeremiah: I proposed to her on the first day I asked her out. I told her my mind was settled and I would love to settle down with her.
How did you realise you were meant for the other?
Ladi: I just knew he was the right man for me. He is also nice, understanding and caring. I didn’t accept his proposal at first because of the way he made his intentions known. It took me some months to say yes.
Were you once his personal assistant as widely believed?
Ladi: No, I wasn’t. I just helped him out with some of the planning.
Did you find it easier to settle down because you were not yet a star?
Jeremiah: I never knew I would become a star and I didn’t know the track, ‘Na Baka’ will be a hit. I think that is one of the reasons some people say I am unserious with my career. Truth is, it was not expected and I didn’t know how to handle it. I did many things wrong. It was a lesson and that was why I kept going to Jos because if I was in Lagos I won’t be married to her.
How do you mean?
Jeremiah: Lagos presents you with a lot of opportunities and many of them are a bit bogus and some are real. As a young man; I was just 32, I wasn’t promiscuous neither was I ever trained for the limelight. I was just a humble singer who was simply talented. If I had not been very successful in my career, it might have affected my marriage. I am from a broken home and I understood life and became wise at a very young age.
What do you think about the spate of crashed celebrity marriages?
Ladi: It does bother me anytime I hear such news or stories. Many of these celebrities are role models whom many people look up to. It is expected of them to stay together in love no matter how hard the situation might be sometimes. A crashed celebrity marriage is not something one would look forward to.
How possible is it to be happily married as a celebrity?
Jeremiah: It is possible for celebrity marriages to work if they understand the true meaning of marriage. The foundation of my marriage is solid and can’t crash. I can’t say I am better than other celebrities, but my wife and I decided to get married and remain in our union no matter the circumstance. I don’t even know why you should cheat on your spouse even though I know temptation is everywhere.
Do you face challenges in the marriage?
Ladi: No, but he travels alot for shows. It isn’t challenging for me because I have known him since 1997 and we have been married for four years now.
Why do you think many of your colleagues chose to remain single?
Jeremiah: It doesn’t make any sense to remain single just because you want female fans. I don’t even subscribe to that school of thought. I have a personal life and my music is a tool and a means to an end. I don’t involve myself with a lot of politics in the music industry. If my female fans seem not to like me because I am married, it is their own cup of tea. I am happily married to my wife. I feel so honoured and privileged to marry her.
Do you both run a joint account?
Ladi: Yes, we do and it was his idea.
Jeremiah: I don’t want her to go through any form of suffering whenever I die. I believe in planning for the future and empowering my spouse.
Anything you would love to change about your spouse?
Ladi: Absolutely nothing.
Jeremiah: I love everything about her. She is still the best woman I have ever encountered. If I hadn’t married my wife when I did, I would have been a polygamist. God just prepared her specially for me.
What are some of the fond memories of your union?
Jeremiah: Our trips, picnics and travels together even though with the birth of our daughter, we have slowed down a bit. It is a new experience and she may have to divide her love between our daughter and I. The baby also needs all the attention from the two of us. Now, all I do is empower her to do the things I don’t know how to do. This means I don’t disturb her too much.
Ladi: There are lots of them but I can never get over the surprise birthday party he threw for me recently.
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