Aren't Nigerian men living in Nigeria marriage material for Nollywood actrices?

The front pages of the Nollywood-related press regularly splash the happy news that yet another Nollywod beauty has stepped into the holy matrimony boat with yet another foreign/white/based-abroad man. This trend struck my attention as Ini Edo, Victoria Inyama, Pat Attah, Sandra Achums, Jennifer Eliogu, Georgina Onuoha and, no later than last week, Ufuoma Ejenobor followed suit.

This brings to minds another worrying trend in black America set by black celebrities who all acquire a trophy white/foreign/exotic partner as they become bankable at the box office, the dollars start rolling in and they become household names. You name them, they've done it: from Quincy Jones to Michael Jackson, from Diana Ross to Halle Berry, from Michael Jordan to Kanye West to Seal. Singer-turned-actrice Jill Scott wrote an inspiring column in Essence magazine last month on how her heart wrenches in pain every time she hears that a successful brother won't put a sister in the limelight shining down on him.

Are Nigerian men shying away because of the culture? In African cultures all over the continent, the physical integrity of the woman is almost holy in the eyes of her future in-laws. Is a woman fondling men on the big screen for the world to see still a desirable choice for a
wife? Even if it's make-believe and she's paid to perform a role? Is she good enough to welcome in the family?

Have Nigerian men abroad acquired a looser and more liberal state of mind due to exposure to the foreign cultures of their host countries? A drop-dead gorgeous Nollywood actrice seems to have become the perfect trophy to show off in their circles of friends. These men surely have found a niche and they're weighing in with all their weight and the precious help of hard foreign currencies.

Are Nollywood actrices looking for greener pastures in the arms of a foreign/abroad-based lover? Are they really better off in a foreign country knowing that most Africans living abroad live in abject poverty and under the poverty threshold set by the United Nations? Most of them barely earn the minimum level of income deemed necessary to achieve an adequate standard living in their host countries.

We, at nollywoodgists.com, would really like to open this debate for a healthy discussion with you and know your collective 2-cents on the matter. So get behind that computer and type away.

EAGLE EYE

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