Popular Nollywood actress, Racheal Oniga has disclosed the reason why she was never attached to her father. The Actress made the disclosure in an exclusive interview with Olushola Ricketts. she also spoke about her career, failed marriage and Nollywood.
On why she was never close to her father, the actress said;
"I was never close to him. I felt he didn’t give me the support I needed. He removed me from central Lagos and took me to Edo State for my post-elementary education. When you do things to a child and you think they’ve forgotten, they don’t forget things easily. At the end of the day, you may discover that a move you made in life could go a long way to affect that child’s progress in life
When I took an entrance examination, schools I didn’t apply to in Lagos and other neighbouring states called me for interviews. It meant that I was among the top three in the nation or so. But my father refused all the offers I got. I did interviews at Queens College and Holy Child School too, but he refused to let me go"
She however disclosed that the yawning gap did not make her to deny her father the necessary assistance. "When he was alive, anytime he needed money and reached out to me, I didn’t hesitate to send to him. But we were never friends. My late sister told me that when he got to know my feelings about him, he cried bitterly and regretted his action."
When asked about her failed marriage, the actress attributed the situation to her naivety as she failed to fight and secure her home. "The factor (her late husband married another woman) that led to the end of my marriage made me determined to prove to him (ex-husband) that I could stand without any man. I was not ready to give any other man the chance to be a hindrance to my children and me. I also made up my mind that I would dedicate my life totally to my children"
"I toughened my heart and blocked every opportunity to go into any relationship. I saw myself as equal to any man, regardless of how much money he might have. I give God the glory because I can pay my bills. I dedicated all my life to my job and my children. I became so busy and I was not ready to take any nonsense from men"
"Before we got separated, he was a good and ideal man. But he married another woman and I moved on. I do not regret leaving him because I sacrificed my life for my children, which makes me fulfilled and happy. But I miss the whole union thing, friendship and sharing things together. I have missed it all"
"My advice to young ladies is to keep and fight for their marriages. Perhaps, I was naïve; I never fought for what was mine, but I still thank God. We are in Africa, you fight for your life and that of your children first. Maybe that is why God has been merciful to me and my children," she added.
