Onyeka Onwenu details how ‘toxic marriage left me constantly depressed’

Onyeka Onwenu, the ace Nigerian singer, says her toxic marriage once left her constantly depressed.

The music star, who revealed how she got married to a Yoruba Muslim in 1984, spoke of why she had to split from him.

In a recent magazine feature, Onwenu narrated how her husband made her bear the burden of childraising alone.

She said he refused to help with the children’s tuition and made demands of her that left her without a social life.

Onwenu, who clocked 70 in January, said she was, at a point in the marriage, constantly depressed that her kids began to take note of her mood.

“Unless it happens to you, you really don’t understand the sacrifices that women make. It’s about the love thing, it’s about the children as well. We want to preserve a home where there is a father and there is a unit,” the singer said.

“But, if it’s going to take your life, get out fast, run! Because your children without you will suffer more.

“And by the way, you don’t need to be in an environment where there is emotional trauma, emotional abuse, to the extent that the woman is constantly depressed.

“And there were years where I was constantly depressed and my children noticed. On my fiftieth birthday, my first son was asked what she wished his mother, and he said something that struck me.

“He said he just wants the mother to be happy. I was surprised, I was shocked that I didn’t fool these guys.

“And I took a decision that day to fight for my happiness—my fulfillment, my joy and not waiting for my husband to take care of me as he used to, and should do. I decided to do all of that for myself and there was a change.

“So, don’t wait to be killed. You have children, and you have to be alive to take care of them. Also, depression is not a good thing.”

Onwenu had earlier stated that staying in her marriage despite being unhappy would have claimed her life.