Yemi Obafemi
Veteran Nollywood actor Chiwetalu Agu has cautioned women against seeing marriage as the ultimate definition of their worth, stating that fulfillment and purpose should come from personal growth and self-reliance.
Rather Women should build themselves up and attain a level of independence before venturing into marriage.
In a video shared via Instagram, Agu emphasized the importance of self-development and financial stability, urging women to establish their identity before tying the knot.
“The best advice I can give you as a lady before you embark on the journey of marriage is to be a complete woman before you marry. Establish yourself as a woman. Make sure you are mentally, physically, spiritually, and financially stable before marriage.
“It is not marriage that completes you as a woman. Your work, identity, or sense of completeness does not depend on being married. You don’t need marriage to feel whole, valuable, or fulfilled. Marriage should complement you, not complete you.”
The veteran actor advised women to acquire skills, start businesses, or develop productive ideas that can sustain them in the event of marital challenges.
“Before you marry, build yourself up. Even if you are not financially stable, make sure you have something doing at least a handwork or a business idea. God forbid your marriage ends or your husband dies and you have nothing of your own. Society is often cruel to widows and divorced women,” he warned.
Agu concluded by stressing that self-worth, saying, “The earlier you establish your brand, identity, and dreams as a woman, the better for you. When a woman relies entirely on a man emotionally, socially, or financially, she becomes vulnerable. A woman who sees marriage as her ultimate goal risks losing her sense of purpose and limiting her growth,” he said.
