Meet Saheed Balogun's New Wife to be Funke Sofowora (PHOTO)

When news broke that popular Nollywood star, Saidi Balogun has moved on after celebrated divorce with his actress wife, Fathia Balogun, many didn’t believe. This is because some felt the duo may still bury the hatchet and come back again into each other’s arm.

Recently it has been confirmed that Saidi Balogun has moved on with a new love with a beautiful lady called Funke Tayo Sofowora. She is the first cousin of popular Lagos monarch, Oba Saheed Elegusi of Ikateland. Though when the news broke sometime in june 2013 that the lovebirds had done a family introduction, many felt it was just a rumour and that Funke and Saidi may not even be dating but were only platonic friends based on Saidi status as a celebrity. Even the parties involved were said to have denied the allegation.

Recently, the rumour was laid to rest when the handsome actor stepped out with beautiful Funke when Oba Elegusi’s wife, Olori Sekinat threw a classy wedding for her younger sister, Taiwo, who got married to the son of Iyaloja of Lagos Island, Dehinde Lasisi. The event had many top dignitaries like Oba Fatai Akamo, Oba fatai Aromire, Mr. Taiwo Afolabi with wife. Alhaja Kuburat Okoya, Mrs. Wosilat Okoya, Dr. Tajudeen Okoya and wife. Rasheedat , Mrs. Shade Tinubu-Ojo to mention a few.

The Nollywood star was one of the early callers at the event as he came to honour his in-law, Oba Elegusi. Getting Funke to grant an interview was a herculean task. According to her, she doesn’t like speaking about her relationship with the star actor. She explained that it is not because she doesn’t want to be associated with him but because she is a very private person. After much persuasion she granted an interview.

When asked the secret of her good looks, she revealed that she exercises to keep in shape and eats rightly too. ‘‘ i don’t do any spectacular thing to my body but i avoid a lot of sugary things. I take a lot of vegetables and i exercise once in a while. I have a make-over artist who makes my face and my cloths are designed by one of the best around’’.

She further explained her relationship with Oba Saheed Elegusi and her growing up. ‘‘ i am Oba Saheed Elegusi’s first cousin. His mother is my mother’s immediate younger sister. We are from one communal setting, its such a large but closely knitted family. Though my father is late but my mum is very much alive. My father is late Tayo Sofowora and i grew up on the island’’.

Funke explained that she is a chartered accountant but she works in the office of the Lagos Attorney General. She further said she has been with Saidi Balogun for over 4years.
Nollywood star, Saidi Balogun and ex-wife, Fathia have packed up their marriage. But not many know they have separated legally. They were separated legally at justice Olufunmilayo Olajumoke Atilade’s court in January 2014. In the judgement , it was said that saidi has access to the two children which are the product of the union. Though both parties have since not spoken about the divorce but he was sighted at Oba Elegusi’s event in lagos where he stepped out with his new wife, Funke. At the event he was interviewed by City People where he spoke about his relationship with Funke and has moved on from his former marriage.

There was this story that you have relocated to Ibadan, your home state?

I didn’t relocate i am based in lagos and i do my business in lagos. My father is from Ibadan while my mum is from Kwara. I don’t think there is anything bad in me going home in a while to say hello. I went to Oyo to campaign for Governor Ajimobi, the transformer. I also used the opportunity to get closer to my people. I am an Ibadan boy and i also campaigned for the present governor of kwara state, Governor Abdul Fatai Ahmed. He is my brother and a friend. I have known him before he became the Governor of kwara state. Alhaji Jani Ibrahim was the one solely behind my film, Eti-Keta. Even the governor who i will ever be grateful to supported us during the production of Eti-Keta.We used his house and he supported us financially too and this was all before he became the Governor people are just insinuating.

What are you presently working on?

Am working on different things for now but there is this particular movie of mine that i want to talk about now and it is called the independent boy. It is a one cast movie about Nigeria. How the good, the bad and the ugly are becoming friends to rule us. I have history in Britain of being the first black to shoot a 2 cast movie. Interestingly, don’t blame me,i am from the town of Ibadan which has the first Television Station in Africa, first 25 storey, hospital and University.

What made you do a 1-cast movie and how was the experience like?

Well, good thinking, good product. You see i pray to God and i love everybody. If i am the president Golden movie Ambassadors of Nigeria, we believe in rebreeding, restructuring and doing things in the way it should be done. Equalizing the black and saying we can do it and we can even do better. I am living by example to tell the whole world that we are just the giant of Africa to do 2 casts and 1 cast.

Few weeks ago, the news of you settling your differences with your estranged wife, Fathia broke. Have you both reconciled?

I am a man who believes in the future for future sake. The man who thinks of how to move his business forward. I am moving forward and who ever decides to move backward, let him do that. No comment on that.

Why have you been silent about your new relationship?

My reasons is that i have moved forward and determined to move my business and i am focused i have moved forward .A good businessman talks about his business, i repeat, i am looking forward.

What is that thing is your life that you want to erase completely and assume it never happened?

It will be august 26, 2006. The day i had an accident and i was kept in the morgue as they thought i was dead. But today, i am alive talking and breathing. I know God kept me for a purpose.

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Posted: at 2-06-2015 10:21 AM (8 years ago) | Addicted Hero

this woman go don first born minimum 5 children hide

Posted: at 2-06-2015 11:16 AM (8 years ago) | Addicted Hero

Actors and their gold digging behavior, this old woman sorry aunty,she is not even as pretty as Fathia

Posted: at 2-06-2015 03:50 PM (8 years ago) | Upcoming

Their lives

Posted: at 2-06-2015 05:59 PM (8 years ago) | Hero

Dis old cargo?

Posted: at 2-06-2015 08:13 PM (8 years ago) | Gistmaniac

Story for the gods. Too lengthy

Posted: at 2-06-2015 10:37 PM (8 years ago) | Upcoming

Nawa ooo, anyway SHA I no blame you no be beauty no be happiness.

Posted: at 2-06-2015 11:22 PM (8 years ago) |

good for him

Posted: at 9-10-2016 02:22 PM (7 years ago) | Grande Master