Veteran Nollywood actor Bob-Manuel Udokwu recently shared his perspective on sustaining a lasting marriage, advising singles to prioritize meaningful values over superficial qualities such as wealth and physical looks. In an interview with The Punch, the actor, who has been married for 24 years since February 19, 2000, emphasized that the foundation of a

He advised:

“I will tell them to look beyond the present. When I say the present, I mean superficial things like beauty, handsomeness, and material things. The world, these days, is very materialistic; young people nowadays in Nigeria are too materialistic. All their focus is on material things. It always does not work like that.

Some of our parents started out with almost nothing. Many of our fathers were not millionaires, nor did they have thousands of naira before marrying our mothers, yet they went on to build enduring marriages.

Often, it isn’t the grandest weddings that yield the most lasting marriages, nor are the most modest weddings always the ones that guarantee success. The strength of a marriage depends on the commitment of the individuals involved.

There are countless examples of wealthy families where arranged marriages between their children end in divorce within months. Although these couples may have children, and financial resources are abundant, those children often grow up lacking a clear sense of direction. Young people today need to

Some older women often recall that their husbands had “nothing” when they married, though that “nothing” symbolized a potential for growth.

Sadly, today’s world has shifted, and marriage has become more transactional, with wealth being the primary criterion.

True wealth is transient, and those who look beyond it often find stability. In previous generations, divorce was rare and seen as a taboo, but today, financial and peer pressures lead many marriages to break down. People should carefully consider what they want from marriage.”