Gladness Gideon
Businesswoman and socialite Shade Okoya has spoken candidly about her marriage to billionaire industrialist Razak Okoya, asserting that she has no regrets about tying the knot with him at the age of 21.
In an interview with BBC Yoruba on Sunday, the now 48-year-old wife of the Eleganza Group founder described her marital journey as fulfilling, rewarding, and devoid of any sense of loss despite the age gap.
“My husband has been very generous to me and defends me everywhere. God said this is where I will be,” Shade said, emphasizing that her decision to marry an older man never limited her life experience.
Recalling their courtship, she noted that Okoya approached her with clarity and seriousness. “He expressed interest, met my parents, and did the needful quickly,” she said.
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Now aged 85, Razak Okoya was already a towering figure in Nigeria’s business world when the couple married in 1999. Shade, then a 21-year-old, stepped into a high-profile marriage that drew public attention—but, according to her, it was exactly where she was meant to be.
“I’m happy in my marriage to him,” she affirmed. “I never felt deprived for not marrying a younger man.”
Her remarks challenge conventional assumptions about age gaps in relationships, as she continues to stand by her choice with pride and contentment.