Kneeling to Propose Is Why Western Marriages Fail — Pete Edochie Sparks Fresh Debate

Veteran Nollywood actor Pete Edochie has reignited a fierce debate on marriage traditions, insisting that men who kneel to propose are symbolically surrendering their family headship—a practice he claims has contributed to the high rate of marital breakdown in Western countries.

The 78-year-old actor, who has been married for 56 years and describes himself as an “uncompromising custodian of Igbo culture,” made the remarks during an exclusive interview on the Curiosity Made Me Ask programme with BaeU Barbie. The conversation has sparked widespread discussion on social media about the balance between tradition and modernity in courtship and marriage.

Edochie argued that kneeling to propose is not merely a romantic gesture but carries deep symbolic meaning that many men fail to recognise. Drawing from his Catholic faith, he explained that kneeling—or genuflection—is an expression of reverence before a higher spiritual authority. “In church, you kneel before a superior spiritual entity. So if you kneel to a woman, you’re acknowledging her superiority. It has destroyed the white people—they don’t know it,” he asserted. “If you step down on your knee and you offer a woman a ring, you are conceding headship of the family to that woman. And that is what a lot of you who advocate that don’t even understand,” Edochie stated.

He maintained that the practice is culturally alien to African tradition, particularly Igbo customs. “Kneeling down to propose to a woman is totally wrong, it is not our lifestyle. Kneeling before a girl in Igbo tradition means you are handing over the authority to her. She becomes the head of the family,” he said. According to Edochie, traditional Igbo marriage rites place the woman in the kneeling position—not the man. “Marriage in Igbo tradition is when a lady gives her husband-to-be wine while kneeling down. What does it signify? That the man has been accepted as the husband of the lady. It is the lady who kneels before the husband, not vice versa,” he explained.

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The veteran actor linked the practice of kneeling proposals directly to the instability of marriages in Western societies. “Have you ever asked yourself why marriages don’t last in Western countries? You haven’t. That’s the reason,” he said. Edochie pointed to what he sees as the consequences of this dynamic: “The white man kneels down to propose to a girl, you know what it means? The girl takes over the family. This is why whenever you disagree with your wife overseas, you are kicked out and the wife takes the house.” He further argued that Western societies show a general disregard for the sanctity of marriage, stating that Africans have more to teach the Western world about sustaining long-term unions. “I have been married for the past 56 years, there is no actor in Hollywood who has my record, nor in Nollywood. Something that we can teach the white man is how to get married and keep their marriages. They don’t appreciate the sanctity of marriage and it doesn’t mean anything to them, it’s nonsensical,” he declared. Edochie also addressed the financial implications of divorce in some Western jurisdictions, noting that women may be entitled to a substantial portion of their husbands’ assets following the dissolution of a marriage. “So, if your wife decides to divorce you, she’s entitled to maybe half or 75 per cent of what you have,” he noted.

While acknowledging that culture evolves, Edochie warned against adopting foreign practices that undermine African values. “Culture is eclectic. In its dynamism, it grows. You adapt and you adopt, there are aspects that you can clip off but adopting these things does not have to be at the expense of our culture,” he said. Edochie cited his own marriage as evidence that his approach works. “I didn’t kneel to propose to my wife and we’ve stayed 50 years in our marriage. I took my time to woo her, when it’s time to settle down, I asked if she’ll marry me and that was it,” he recalled.

When interviewer BaeU Barbie—who noted that he personally knelt when proposing—challenged Edochie, asking, “Do I look like a fool?” the veteran actor stood his ground, replying, “I will not take it back.” Edochie has previously used even stronger language, describing men who kneel to propose as “idiots,” “bloody fools,” and “compound buffoons.”

Edochie’s comments have drawn both praise and criticism. Supporters applaud his defence of cultural identity and male headship of the household, while critics view his stance as outdated in an era where kneeling proposals have become a widely accepted romantic gesture, including in Nigeria. His son, actor Yul Edochie, has offered a more nuanced take, agreeing that kneeling is not traditional African culture and that he himself did not kneel, while stressing that the posture of a proposal does not determine the success or respect within a marriage. The debate continues as Nigerians weigh the balance between cultural preservation and modern expressions of love and commitment.

Kneeling to Propose Is Why Western Marriages Fail — Pete Edochie Sparks Fresh Debate

Viral TikTok Live Catches Regina Daniels at Ned Nwoko’s House: Is There a Reconciliation?

Nollywood actress Regina Daniels has sparked fresh reactions after she was reportedly spotted at the residence of her estranged husband, Senator Ned Nwoko, amid the couple’s highly publicised marital crisis and ongoing custody battle over their two sons. A video from a TikTok live session that began circulating on social media on September 4 and 5, 2026, captured Regina at the family residence, where she was seen interacting warmly with her stepson, Amir (Amid) Nwoko, who was broadcasting the live stream, and her two sons, Moon and Khalifa. In the clip, the actress appears unaware she was being filmed. Upon realising the session was being streamed publicly, she is heard saying, “Jesus Jesus Jesus, off it!” as she swiftly moved to end the broadcast. Her appearance at the residence has generated widespread speculation about the current state of her relationship with Nwoko. Some social media users also linked Regina’s presence at the house to her recent reduced activity online, suggesting she may have been spending time with her family away from the public eye.

The public marital crisis between Regina Daniels and Senator Ned Nwoko erupted in October 2025 when a viral video showed the actress in tears, surrounded by aides and family, where she said, “In Ned Nwoko’s house, I am nothing. But in my house, I am a queen. Not again. I can’t stand the violence; it’s too much”. Senator Nwoko denied the domestic violence allegations and instead accused his estranged wife of substance abuse, stating that she needed rehabilitation. In a statement, Nwoko claimed that Regina had been battling drug and alcohol abuse, which he described as the root of their problems. He also alleged that she had been violent, destroying property and assaulting staff members. The dispute also led to the arrest of Regina Daniels’ brother, Sammy, by Senator Nwoko. Regina publicly vowed to secure his release, stating at the time: “Sammy’s detainment is taking way too long, but we will get him out even if I have to march there myself and create a storm! Since they want me!”.

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The marital crisis escalated into a custody dispute over the couple’s two sons, Prince Munir (Moon), born in 2020, and Prince Khalifa, born in 2022. An Abuja Family Court granted temporary custody of the children to Senator Nwoko and ordered that Regina Daniels could only regain access to them after completing supervised drug rehabilitation and undergoing an assessment by the Abuja Social Welfare Department. In December 2025, Regina Daniels stated in a Facebook post that she had not seen her children since mid-November of that year, accusing Nwoko of dismissing her nannies and pressuring them to make false statements against her. In January 2026, Regina Daniels shared a negative drug test result from the United Kingdom, which she said contradicted the senator’s claims, although Nwoko’s team later questioned the validity of the result. She also made the bombshell allegation that their union was never legally formalised, stating: “We were never married in any court of law, and no documents were signed”.

While being seen at Nwoko’s residence does not, on its own, confirm that Regina has returned to the marriage or that the couple have reconciled, the footage has nevertheless added another layer to the ongoing public interest in the actress’ relationship. Neither Regina Daniels nor Ned Nwoko had released any official statement addressing the footage or clarifying the context of the visit at the time of reporting. It remains unclear whether the video was a recent visit, an old recording, or simply a family interaction related to spending time with her children. Some fans suggested that her appearance at the residence might be the reason for her unusually long absence from social media in recent times. Others noted that being seen at the residence could be connected to co-parenting arrangements rather than a reconciliation. However, a recent report indicated that Senator Ned Nwoko has refuted viral claims suggesting he is trying to reconcile with his estranged wife, stating that he no longer wants Regina back in his life. This raises questions about whether the actress’s visit was for reconciliation or related to the ongoing custody dispute over their children.

The saga between Regina Daniels and Senator Ned Nwoko continues to unfold with each new development. While the actress’s appearance at the family residence has sparked speculation about a possible reconciliation, neither party has confirmed any resolution to their marital crisis. For now, the reason for Regina’s visit and whether it signals any change in the status of their marriage remain unclear.

Viral TikTok Live Catches Regina Daniels at Ned Nwoko’s House: Is There a Reconciliation?

Court restrains Lizzy Anjorin from posting Priscilla Ojo’s son’s photos

A Lagos State High Court has restrained Nollywood actress Lizzy Anjorin from publishing, posting, circulating or broadcasting photographs of the one-year-old son of actress Priscilla Ojo and her Tanzanian singer husband, Juma Jux.

The interim order was granted ex parte on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, by Justice Yetunde Adesanya of the Lagos State High Court, sitting at the Lagos Judicial Division, in Suit No. LD/ADR/6646/2026.

The suit was filed by Priscilla Ojo, identified in the court document as Mrs Priscilla Ajoke Ojo Mkambala, her husband, Juma Mussa Mkambala, and their son, Master Rakeem Mkambala, against Anjorin.

Priscilla made the development public on Friday after sharing a certified true copy of the court order on her Instagram page.

According to the order, Anjorin, whether acting personally or through her agents, representatives, employees, privies or anyone acting under her authority, has been restrained from publishing, posting, circulating, uploading or broadcasting photographs of the child on her social-media platforms.

The platforms specifically mentioned in the order are Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp and TikTok.

The court stated that the restriction would remain in force pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice filed in the suit.

The order specifically directs the respondent and persons acting under her authority to refrain from publishing or distributing the child’s pictures through the social-media accounts identified in the court document.

Among the accounts listed are @lizzyanjorin_originallawal, @lizzyanjorin_original, @lizzyanjorin_legal_mrslawal and @yeyemesho_luxuryfabric1.

A Facebook page identified as Lizzyanjorin2 was also listed.

The court’s directive does not stop at photographs of Priscilla Ojo’s son. In a separate portion of the order, Anjorin was also restrained from publishing, posting or broadcasting what the court described as “editorials” concerning the applicants through the specified social-media platforms.

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The order directs Anjorin and anyone acting under her authority to “cease and desist” from broadcasting, publishing and posting editorials concerning the applicants through the listed accounts.

The order was made ex parte, which means the application was considered by the court at that stage without the respondent being present or heard.

It is therefore important to note that the latest directive is an interim court order, rather than a final judgment determining the substantive dispute between the parties.

The restrictions will remain subject to further proceedings, particularly the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.

The court also directed that the case file be returned to the Registry of the High Court of Lagos State for reassignment to the appropriate division.

The order was signed and sealed by the Legal Registrar, Omokhudu-Omahoin Onivenu, and issued under the hand of the court on September 2, 2026.

The latest development is the newest chapter in a long-running public dispute involving Lizzy Anjorin and members of Priscilla Ojo’s family, particularly Priscilla’s mother, actress Iyabo Ojo.

The disagreement between Anjorin and Iyabo Ojo has played out publicly on social media for several years and has previously resulted in legal action.

Iyabo Ojo had filed a ₦1bn defamation suit against Anjorin, but the case was dismissed by a Lagos State High Court in July 2025 over procedural defects in the originating processes. The court also awarded ₦500,000 in costs against Iyabo Ojo’s lawyer.

The earlier defamation case is separate from the latest suit filed by Priscilla Ojo, Juma Jux and their son.

In recent public exchanges, Anjorin has also made claims questioning the parentage of Priscilla Ojo’s son. The claims have not been independently verified and are not established by the latest court order.

Rakeem, whose full name is Rakeem Ayomide Mkambala, was born in Canada in August 2025.

His parents largely kept his face away from public view during his first year. However, Priscilla and Juma publicly unveiled his face in August 2026 as they celebrated his first birthday.

The family’s decision to reveal the child’s face attracted considerable attention online, with photographs and birthday messages shared across social-media platforms.

The latest court action comes against that backdrop, with the legal dispute now focusing specifically on the publication and circulation of the child’s photographs and other specified content concerning the applicants.

The court order does not determine the truth or otherwise of any allegations previously made by either side. Instead, it sets temporary restrictions pending further proceedings in the case.

As of the latest available reports, Lizzy Anjorin had not publicly responded to the new court order.

The case is expected to proceed as the court considers the applicants’ substantive application and any response that may be filed by Anjorin.

For now, the actress is restrained from publishing, posting, circulating, uploading or broadcasting Rakeem Mkambala’s photographs through the social-media platforms and accounts specifically identified in the interim order.

The development also highlights the growing role of Nigerian courts in disputes involving social-media publications, privacy and family-related content, particularly where parties seek urgent restrictions on the dissemination of personal images or information online.

Court restrains Lizzy Anjorin from posting Priscilla Ojo’s son’s photos