By Oyigu Elijah.
A Nigerian woman, Mrs Iye Moses Enema (née Idakwoji), has explained how Nollywood films influenced her teenage mindset to develop fear and resentment toward having a mother-in-law, long before she was anywhere near marriage.
Mrs Enema shared the experience in a Facebook post while paying tribute to her mother-in-law, Mama Laruba Martina, who marked her 70th birthday on Saturday.
According to her, repeated exposure to old Nollywood movies that portrayed mothers-in-law as cruel and manipulative left a deep impression on her young mind.
She said that as a teenager, she once imagined marrying a man whose mother was no longer alive, simply to avoid what she believed would be a toxic relationship.
“During my teenage years, I once imagined that I would marry a man whose mother was no longer alive, simply because of how old Nollywood movies portrayed wicked mothers-in-law”, she said.
She recalled being genuinely afraid of ending up with a character similar to those often played by veteran actress Patience Ozokwor, popularly known as Mama G, or the frightening mother figure in the movie End of the Wicked.
“I was genuinely afraid of ending up with a Mama G type or that terrifying Mama in “End of the Wicked”, she recalled.
Mrs Enema, a professional Journalist, narrated that after watching the movie Price of Peace, she openly declared that she would never marry a man whose mother was still alive.
“I was genuinely afraid of ending up with a Mama G type or that terrifying Mama in “End of the Wicked. One day, after watching “Price of Peace”, I boldly declared that I would never marry a man whose mother was still alive.” she mused
She admitted that she even went as far as praying that such a mother should die before she met her future husband.
However, her perspective changed abruptly when her own mother overheard the statement and immediately rebuked her. Describing the prayer as wrong, her mother challenged her with a question that struck deeply, asking whether she herself should die so that her sons’ wives would not meet her. That moment, she said, permanently reshaped her thinking.
“Unknown to me, my own mother overheard me, and she rebuked me immediately. She told me that it was a very wrong prayer to make. Then she asked me, ‘Would you want me to die so that your brothers’ wives won’t meet me? I was like, What…? Noooo”
Following the correction, her mother advised her to pray instead for a kind, caring, and loving mother-in-law who would treat her like a daughter. She also reminded her of her own experience with her mother-in-law, whom she described as supportive, gentle, and loving. A prayer was then offered that the same grace would follow her into marriage.
“My mother taught me instead, to pray for a mother-in-law who would love me like her own daughter. She reminded me of my grandmother, her own mother in-law, who was kind, loving, and supportive to her.
She prayed that the same grace would be my portion.” She added
Mrs Enema said those prayers were eventually answered. Years later, she married her husband, Barr. Moses Enema, and became part of the Enema family, where she said she has enjoyed thirteen years of peace, acceptance, and family unity.
She described her mother-in-law, Mama Laruba Martina, as a priceless gift, thanking her for loving her as her own child, strengthening family bonds, and raising children who have grown into responsible husbands, wives, fathers, and mothers.
Mama Laruba Martina whose Platinum birthday was celebrated in Lagos over the weekend, had a lot of dignitaries and well-wishers in attendance alongside her grandchildren.
Mrs Enema, whose joy knew no bounds, offered heartfelt prayers for long life, renewed strength, and divine favor, while expressing deep appreciation for the wisdom, love, and warmth her mother-in-law continues to share with all who come in contact with her.
The tribute concluded with warm congratulations to the celebrant, alongside Mrs Enema’s heartfelt appreciation to her husband, Barrister Moses Enema, for the gift of a loving and caring mother-in-law, as family members and well-wishers joined in celebrating the Platinum Jubilee of her mother-in-law’s sojourn on earth.
