New mom, Osas Ajibade who welcomed a baby girl with her husband Gbenro Ajibade, bared it all in a recent interview with Genevieve Magazine.
In the interesting tell-it all interview, the Tinsel star opened up on a number of topics, from finding out about her pregnancy, falling in love, life as Mrs. Ajibade, and so much more.
Read excerpts below:
On hiding her bump
Hiding this pregnancy hasn’t been easy and it has been a challenge getting dressed everyday to hide my bump but doing that has allowed me try different fashion choices I would previously have been nervous about.
Take my AMVCA ball gown for instance. I would never have chosen a ball gown because I am more of a form fitting dress type of girl but Toju Foyeh (designer) made it work. It’s funny how even she didn’t notice any changes when she took my measurement because I have perfected the art of sucking in my belly. I pulled it off and not one person noticed I was hiding something.
This has taught me that we can be fashion forward with pregnancy and I hope to be an inspiration for women going through body changes.
On the reason for keeping her pregnancy a secret
This is my first child and I do not want people’s opinions or judgement at this time. I have friends in the industry who were judged heavily when they were pregnant and it is not easy. I want to take back that power from the public and enjoy my pregnancy with all its challenges. Unfortunately I am aware that this is the industry we signed up for and people will always judge.
It’s a very sensitive period for us especially with my older sister passing away from malaria when she was with child. My mum is really protective and she is on board with my keeping this pregnancy a secret. Losing a child is not easy on any parent so I understand why she is being protective. She even shared with me some Benin superstitions like putting a pin on my clothes to ward off evil and never telling anyone how far gone I am in my pregnancy and I am following her instructions to the letter. I was surprised when Aunty Betty confirmed that she also wore a pin on her dresses during her own pregnancies as well.
We know the culture we are in. Let’s be real, there are bad belle people out there so to protect this blessing we are going to enjoy this moment privately.
On finding out about her pregnancy
This pregnancy wasn’t planned at all. As newlyweds we just wanted to enjoy our marriage before thinking about having kids but life happens. Interestingly, Gbenro figured it out before I did. I wasn’t feeling well and he told me he was going to get me some orange juice. On returning, he handed me a pregnancy test kit. I took the test and came downstairs to tell him the result. We stared at each other for what felt like forever and I said the words “We are pregnant”
We embraced for a long time and seeing my husband who is a true alpha African man in that state of emotion was such a beautiful moment.
This pregnancy has brought out a new side of Gbenro who is usually very calm. Seeing him so excited when he rubs and listens to my belly is the most beautiful thing in the world.
I now call him Papa G and he always smiles when I call him that. In fact I want 10 kids but Gbenro says I am on my own.
On life as Mrs Ajibade
People say the first 6 months of marriage are the toughest and we have gone through our fair share of ups and downs.
Culture was a big shock for me and being a wife is a different life altogether. I was a bachelorette doing whatever I wanted but now I am a caretaker and I have to care for my husband.
I hear it’s normal to have a maid in Nigeria but I am not used to that. I upkeep my house myself even though my husband is open to employing someone for that. I do not trust anyone because I am scared.
I never really liked cooking. I was the girl who would whip up a nice bowl of noodles for myself but I’m married now and Gbenro is used to eating a full-grown man’s meal. Whether I am hungry or not there has to be food in my house. I had to learn how to cook what he likes. He loves Banga soup and I am grateful to his mum who taught me to do different dishes that her son loves.
I’m not complaining because if he is constantly eating out that will never make me happy.
I want him to look good and I want him to be happy when he comes home. It is not so much a challenge but it is a different life.
I also understand now that Gbenro needs his space. Whenever Gbenro needs his Gbenro time I give that to him that and whenever I need Osas time, Gbenro gives that to me. What I love is that we are learning to communicate better and work with each other day by day.
On celebrity breakups
It’s scary hearing about all these examples of celebrity breakups but there are good examples as well. Take Aunty Joke Silva and Uncle Olu Jacobs, Aunty Betty and uncle Soni. Ahn Ahn! Chai! These people have been married longer than I was even born. You also have examples like Omotola Jalade and her husband. There are still beautiful examples of what marriage can be and I have a husband whose goal is to have a successful marriage like his parents and that is an additional blessing.
The full interview is available at Genevieve Magazine
