‘I’m Designed to be Under a Man’ – Monalisa Chinda Opens Up About Remarrying & More

News recently broke that the Nollywood actress, who was previously married to Dejo Richard with whom she has a daughter, is set to remarry (read here).

In a chat with ThisDay, Monalisa opens up on remarrying, her previous marriage, rumoured pregnancy and more. Read excerpts below…

On her plans to remarry soon
I would love to remarry. In fact, I’m designed to be under a man. I’m not going to lie that I like this single mother nomenclature. But whereby there is no one at the moment, one is bound to get used to the situation. It’s not a do-or-die affair because I have been there before. Anything I’m going to do now, it has to be done right. I’m not in the school of thought where the first one happened and perhaps, the second one. No, any bold step I have to take in settling down again, it has to be right. I’m not ready to make another mistake. But I will definitely remarry. I believe in the principles of marriage. Whether you like it or not, marriage is a better option.

On if she’s found love again?
It’s neither here nor there. I’m a lover and I love to love. Is there anything wrong with that? I just replied you that I love to love. What else do you want to know? Yes, there is a man in my life and that is all they need to know about him for now.

I love the whole concept and idea of love. I am open to love and marriage that would work. Marriage is always a better option and I love to be loved. I am currently engaged to the best man in this earth.  We just concluded the introduction ceremony. The white wedding is scheduled to hold soon but I will not disclose the date. But it will take place this year by the special grace of God.

On rumours she’s pregnant with her new man’s baby
You can see that I’m not pregnant. Naturally, I’m not pregnant for anybody.

On if she’ll ever take her ex back
God forbid! He’s a closed chapter in my life.

On number of kids she’d like to have for her new man
Although it depends on my husband, I hope to have more children because I love children. I have always wanted to have three children. Three is just perfect but it depends.

On if she has a close relationship with her ex-husband      
No, because I am engaged to be married soonest. Yes, he is the father of my beloved daughter. He speaks to his child whenever he wants to.

On her thoughts about divorce
One thing I regret most is the fact that I am divorced. Where I come from, I am the first daughter. I am from a royal family; it was never on record in my family that the first daughter would walk out of her matrimonial home. But it (my marriage) was a matter of life and death. Otherwise, I would have stayed back and make my marriage work. I tried to make it work, but it takes two people to tango. That’s the only thing I regret, having to raise my child without the father. It’s a bit painful. But I have to live with it. It’s better that way than to expose my little daughter to all sorts of domestic violence. It will definitely disorient her and affect her upbringing. She will be dysfunctional. God knows the best. May be, I should have been more careful and make my marriage work.

Advice to single mums
Everything comes in stages; they need to have a lot of patience, be flexible and hardworking. As a single working mother, I know it gets hard sometimes to raise a child on your own. Through your busy schedule, it can be easy to forget that you are not alone when you have so much to deal with. Building your own support system gives you a shoulder to lean on when it comes to all the things that come with raising a child.  It’s great to surround yourself with life-minded people or people you trust to be involved in your everyday life. In my case, I am incredibly lucky to have a wonderful family and close friends who are always ready to help as needed. And every day I feel enriched by everything that is going on in my life. I am so proud to be a mother.