Nollywood actress and movie producer, Mary Remmy Njoku, has subtly entered the conversation surrounding the recent marital discord between her colleague, Yul Edochie, and his estranged wife. Yul had publicly requested his wife to drop his surname and return her bride price.
In response to the situation, Mary expressed her views, emphasizing that a mother should not be compelled to have a different name from her underage kids, unless she is allowed to change their names as well. She argued that when a marriage ends, changing one’s name should be optional, especially considering the effort and time invested in building that name.
Mary Njoku stressed that some wives have played significant roles in making their surnames noteworthy, and requesting them to drop it is akin to infringing on their copyright. She stated, “If marriage ends, change of name should be optional Biko. Someone cannot build a Name for many years and he asked to change it just because Oga no wan do again.”
This perspective sparked various reactions in her comment section, with some supporting her stance and citing examples of Hollywood celebrities who have retained their husband’s surnames even after divorce. Others acknowledged that changing one’s name after divorce is a personal choice and not compulsory.
Mary Njoku’s viewpoint contrasts with Grace Makun’s advice to May Edochie, Yul’s estranged wife, urging her to get rid of the actor’s surname and reclaim her own identity.
It’s worth noting that celebrities like Ireti Doyle have chosen to retain their ex-husband’s last name even after divorce, citing the name’s long history and personal attachment.
The conversation around name changes after divorce continues to stir opinions, with individuals expressing different perspectives on the matter.
