THE TIWA SAVAGE ENGAGEMENT.

THE TIWA SAVAGE ENGAGEMENT. by Charles Novia

In the past few hours, the social media and entertainment blogs in Nigeria have been agog with the news of Tiwa Savage's engagement to TJ, her Manager and now husband-to-be. For those who don't know, Tiwa Savage is arguably the leading female musician in Nigeria today, in the present heirachy of things. Personally, I love her songs and her obvious dedication to hard work. I have seen her perform as a top billing act in some concerts and her stagecraft and energy is awesome. A little bit of her backstory is also inspiring. She's an internationally-acclaimed songwriter who decided to relocate back to Nigeria to showcase her talents and found almost instant fame ,success and fortune. She came at the right time to fill up a yawning gap between the male artistes, who were having a field day and the female acts who were practically struggling to keep up. With songs like 'KELEKELE LOVE' and 'LOVE ME, LOVE ME', Tiwa showed us the power of her songwriting talent and got the airwaves on fire! Personally, I have always admired her talent and *cough* her innate beauty. She glows from within.

It was a befitting crown to her hard work and efforts, when on her birthday yesterday, she got engaged to TJ. Watching the attached video from the bellanaija blog got me really thrilled. Being a movie director, I know all about improvisations and the 'boom' moment. That moment when the unexpected happens in a scene or movie and takes all watching by surprise. TJ going down on his knees to propose was the one of the best 'Boom' moments I have ever seen. Tiwa was literally stunned and transparently touched! This was a pure expression of love and marital intention by TJ and her acquiesance to his proposal was as touching as his kneeling down. She knelt down to hug him. Symbolically, both of them on the ground in that moment, was a testimony of their intentions to start their marriage on a humble start; from ground up! To build, love, honour, cherish and obey.

Why am I writing about this? ( And this is not gossip, for the unelevated minds. This is a commentary on a celebrity reportage). I write because first, I think Tiwa Savage deserves all the happiness she gets, her man too. They both worked hard to build her brand and God has rewarded them with success. Secondly, I believe millions of Nigerian women (among others) of marriageable age dream of a Prince Charming engagement such as this. I prophesy that it will come true for such. But there is a caveat to that prophecy. Like Tiwa and TJ, build on your emotional brand. Today, many indolent ladies in the society just want a 'ready-made' husband; one that has acquired wealth or some form of success. Their image of a fairy-tale Prince is that guy who drives the flashiest of cars and has houses in Lekki or Maitama or London. Most don't care if the guy is a 'Yahoo' exponent or a thieving Politician's son or even a Government official! The desperation to 'just marry' as long as he fits the bill is what is important to those kind of ladies. There is a second breed of single ladies who are desperate to even be second wives or by-all-means 'husband snatchers' just to bear the title of 'Mrs Somebody'. I am told that most who fall under this category actually 'set belle' for the men; a compulsory pregnancy to hook the fellow and scream blue murder if the guy tries to back out. In most of these two examples, one cannot really rule out the 'Jazz factor' too! And those who think by 'Jazz' I mean Kenny G, should see a shrink!

The men are also not blameless in this analysis. It is shocking today to see most young men turning into Professional Gold Diggers. Some of these guys prey on unsuspecting women of means and toy with their hearts and emotional dysfunctionalities just to get their fingers on the woman's treasury ( no pun intended). Before you know it, the love sick lady begins to 'clean up' the repressed Gigolo. New clothes, Cars and a live-in-lover status come with the bill. Sometimes, even marriage! And when the Scallywag lover has fixed himself all well and good, he takes a hike from the lady. Its just a vicious circle out there. So vicious.

There's another type of relationship/marriage which is fast becoming a trend in Nigeria. Its called the 'Open Marriage' or 'Open Relationship'. These two terms are as different in definition as they are as endemic in our socio-cultural life. I will not dwell on this in this post. I will expound in another write-up soon.

In all of these, I still believe that marriage is sacrosanct. Folks, it is not so much the act of getting married that is the issue, it is the sustenance of that union. That's some food for thought.

Coming back to Tiwa and TJ, I wish them all the best of life. They have unwittingly become a 'Publicly Engaged Couple' and would be a staple reference of celebrity relationships in Nigeria for a long time. I am sure they are up to the task. There's evidence of genuine love in their union. And may God bless their love.

And oh...isn't Praiz a fantastic singer? His rendition of the 'Happy Birthday' song for Tiwa at the beginning of the video was absolutely mind-blowing. I predict that Praiz will be the biggest star in Nigeria within a couple of years, with the right musical direction and focused management.

I align with many of the happy comments for TJ and Tiwa which say; 'Everybody time go come'. It is well with you all.