It took me a while to accept that he was gone forever - Mrs Omiete Justus-Esiri

Wife of Nollywood legend Mrs Omiete Justus Esiri granted an interview with THIS DAY'
You look radiant at 60. What is the secret?
Nothing really; I don’t have any special diet or special food that I eat. I don’t do anything special. The bible says the joy of the Lord is our strength. And I think I have found that joy that has kept me, it is still keeping me and will continue to keep me.

You were once married to a famous man. How did you meet him?
I am from a humble background from Abonema in Rivers State and married to a Deltan man, the late veteran actor, Justus Esiri. My path crossed with him in 1977 at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos. There was a stage play tagged ‘Mikky Joe’ by Tayo Ogunade where I played a lead role. One thing led to another and we got married. But I didn’t pursue my acting career further because I quit after sometime taking care of the home front. Also, I decided to keep a low profile throughout his career because I am afraid of the press. They can make or mar you.

You stayed in the background. Was it deliberate? Then how did you cope marrying from a different ethnic background?
I like to be behind the scene because you do more when you are operating from behind. It was a blissful union until he passed away suddenly two years ago. I am from Rivers and he was from Delta but the chemistry between us just jelled. There are no cultural differences. His family is very civil, educated and enlightened so I didn’t have any problem. Also, he was somebody who was reserved with a very strong in character. That also helped.

How do you handle the limelight and female admirers?
Like I said earlier, I took a back seat. And because I did that I could just be myself, nobody knew who I was and I enjoyed it. It didn’t affect anything. And when you are talking about female admirers I don’t have problem with that because if you know the man you married you don’t have issues about it. He was a public figure; you just give allowances for all that and move on. So as a woman whether your husband is famous or not what is important is to know who your man is. When you know who he is you know how to manage situation that comes your way when it comes to the issues of the opposite sex. And when it comes to fame it is better to handle it carefully.

Your son, ‘Dr. Sid’ takes after his father in the entertainment industry. Did your late husband influence him?
Dr. Sid had always been what he is today. When he was about a little boy of four years and we take him to parties, he would always want to dress like Michael Jackson. Unfortunately, we don’t have those photographs any more. He didn’t know and was not conscious that his father was in the entertainment industry then.  He would dress up exactly like Michael Jackson, take the microphone and sing along. And during musical competition he always came first to the extent that before the commencement of any dancing competition, the organisers would suggest to give him the prize because they knew he would beat everybody. I was not surprised when he turned out to be a musician.

How did you take it as parents when he dumped prestigious dentistry for music?
He actually wanted to do engineering but got dentistry. He later dumped it to follow his passion. I didn’t have any issue with that because I always encourage my children to pursue what they want. There is nothing like doing what you are good at. It is fulfilling and rewarding. Above all, you excel because it is a talent that God has bestowed in you. And if you can develop that talent you flow with it and struggle less. I am proud of him and his achievements and pray that God will continue to guide him.

How did you feel about losing your husband?
It was a big shock to everybody particularly me. In my wildest dream I didn’t think I would be a widow when it happened. It took me a while to accept that he was gone forever. Somehow I have been able to manage it. The lesson I learnt from that is to be a woman that is independent because if life throws you on that line and comes at you suddenly and you are not empowered, it is a problem. If you are empowered it helps you to weather the problems that come your way. He was a good husband and father. I missed him because he was a very jovial person.

If there were to be another world would you marry your late husband again?
Oh yes! I would marry him all over again. We were married for 35 years before he passed away. I don’t have any regret. I have four growing up children who were all through school by the time he died. Dr. Sid is the second. My third child is a geologist in Port Harcourt and my last born child, Tobo a girl is getting married later this month.

Are you considering giving marriage a shot?
You can never say never because no one knows where life can take you. For now marriage is not in my agenda. I am married to my children.

What is your philosophy of life?
One step at a time, and walk with God.