By Emmanuel Daniji

For Helen Paul, getting married was not just a decision between two people. It came with the opinions, doubts and warnings of people around her husband, some of whom believed she was not good enough for him.

The Nigerian comedian and actress has opened up about the opposition she faced during her courtship with her husband, Femi, revealing that some of his close friends and bosses advised him against marrying her.

Speaking about dealing with criticism, Helen said the comments affected her confidence and sometimes made her question her own worth.

She recalled how one of her husband’s bosses once questioned Femi about their relationship and suggested that Helen was not the right person for him.

The criticism, she said, made her feel inferior at a time when she was still trying to understand where the relationship was headed.

But despite the pressure, Femi went ahead with the relationship and eventually married her.

Helen also revealed that her fears did not disappear even on their wedding day. She told Femi that she was uncertain about how long their marriage would last, given the doubts that had surrounded their relationship.

“If we last two years in this marriage, I’ve tried. But if we last forever, then God is the one at work,” she recalled telling him.

Years later, Helen said the experience taught her an important lesson about self-worth.

She realised that allowing other people’s opinions to determine how she viewed herself could become a bigger obstacle than the criticism itself.

For the entertainer, what started as painful criticism eventually became a lesson in confidence, resilience and the importance of trusting one’s own choices.

Her story also highlights the pressure many couples face when family members, friends, colleagues or employers have strong opinions about who they should marry.