Words By – Rita Okoye
In 2017, Nigerian celebrity designer, Omoniyi Makun, popularly known by his brand name Yomi Casual, proposed to his girlfriend Grace Onuoha at Funnybone Untamed II comedy concert at Eko Hotel & Suites as Styl-Plus popular song Olufunmi played in the background. Grace said yes.
Yesterday, the couple stepped unto the 6th floor of their marriage, with Khaley and Kendrick as fruits of their love.
In celebration of their wedding anniversary, the smitten couple shares their romantic love story, detailing how a tailor and jeweller became one.
I love everything about Grace – Olorunyomi Makun
Yomi Casual as he is fondly called, launched his clothing line in 2007 and for more than two decades, he has been a dominant fashion brand in Nigeria. His clientele include American Bishop, TD Jakes, Pastor Paul Adefarasin, Hon. Desmond Elliot and Alibaba to mention but few.
Your marriage turned six yesterday; how do you feel?
I feel so blessed to have the most beautiful woman in the world by my side and as my best friend. We’ve known each other for the past 13 years, and of course, we have our differences; but we are able to make up, and get back together. Thats one thing I love so much about us. I’m so happy and blessed. I look forward to more years together.
A tailor and a jeweller; how did you both meet and was it love at first sight?
I met this beautiful woman at a friends party in 2010 and she was wearing a blazer. Then I wondered, why would this pretty girl be wearing blazer when other girls were wearing crop tops, short skirts, miniskirts and the likes? How can you be this fine and you’re all covered in this your generation? I was like, I’m on this girl. So, I approached her and we got talking, you know, she gave me her number, and I followed her up. I disturbed her so much. But I’m sure she was playing hard to get when she found out I was a bit popular; she must have thought that she didn’t want all these celebrities and their issues.
Later, she found out that I am a cool guy and we got talking, and here we are today! I must tell you everything is beautiful on this end.
How long did it take you to prepare and rehearse for the proposal; did you develop cold feet?
I was a bit scared, you know, but I got my friend and co planners. Gbenro Ajibade was there, he had the ring a few days before the proposal. On our way to the show, I planned a quarrel and she fell for it. So, that took her mind off me. Styl-Plus were in on the plan that Ill propose when it was for them to perform. So, when they started performing Olufunmi, and came to my table, I knelt down, Gbenro Ajibade passed the ring to me, and I proposed. My girl was in tears, she cried. I saw the tears, like, it was so much. She was surprised, you know. So, its okay to feel that way. And like I told you, I’m happy where I am.
What were your fears during the first few months of your marriage?
I think one of my biggest fears was how I was going to cope with a woman that is not my sister without quarreling because my sister and I fight all the time. But, I realised later in marriage that, quarreling is also very important because if you go get married to a woman that you are not having small, small issues with, that means you are not in love. So, we met halfway and everything just fell into place. God just gave me a life partner. She understood me because at that time, my OCD game was 201 percent. Everything in my house was white. Bedroom, living room, everything was white. She understood the space. She was telling people to be mindful of how they take or touch my property and those things she did made me fall in love with her more. I believe that the most beautiful thing about life is that you have a partner that understands you.
Do you fear that your love for each other will grow cold?
Its not possible because of the level of attachment we have for each other. When they say dont put your mouth in couples matter, dont ever in your life try to put your mouth in Yomi and Graces matter because, we go use you settle. We have our differences. We have our quarrels once in a while, but I just believe that were on the right path.
We all know that most celebrity marriages dont last; what gives you the confidence that yours would be different?
I’m not really scared at all because we have created good memories together; memories that money cant buy. If you’re a very reasonable person, you dont toy with such memories, and thats what I’m doing.
Our case is different because I married a God-fearing woman. I play my part very well as a man maybe up to 70 or 80%. She is doing more than a 100% because she has been an amazing wife. Sometimes, you look at your wife, you dont ever have anything to hold against her.
Theres nothing, no quarrel, nothing. Everything is just in place. Sometimes, I feel like I’m even the problem. So, yeah, I dont see that happening anytime soon.
What makes love go round for you?
Men dont joke with respect. Respect means a lot to almost all the men. I dont know if I’m speaking for all the men in the world.
Respect means love for us, you know, and when you respect a man, everything works. Good communication skills, undivided attention. Paying attention to things that matter to the man. Dont be selfish. I’m like a slave to you. You can use me the way you want because thats just what I’m asking for.
Do you have a special family ritual?
As a couple, we try new restaurants every weekend. We eat together, watch movies together and travel together.
Theres nothing like boys trip or a girls trip. We travel together. Whatever fun you want to catch, come and catch the same fun with me. When I travel without her, Ill be on video calls with her almost all the time, telling her that I miss you, and wish she were with me.
Once, she traveled without me and she was calling every now and then and I’m like, you’re on a vacation, go and enjoy now. She was like, no, no, no, its different. When you are here, its different, you know. We have that thing together and I thank God for it.
What’s the best thing about your wife that you admire?
I must say that I appreciate God for the woman that He gave to me and for the woman that she has become. When we were dating, I used to push her into business. Now, Im the one asking her for business advice because she has become a beast in the game. I appreciate that so much about her and how shes been able to blend business and family together. She doesnt play with her kids. When its time to go out, she would put everything together and still have time for our business. That thing amazes me. I want to thank God for giving me a very hardworking, beautiful woman with brain.
You see that my girl? Theres nothing you want to use to entice her. She’s very contented with what she has.
What virtues do you look towards cultivating for your old age?
Where theres love, everything falls into place. A woman that loves you will make you happy and its a blessing. So, babe, if you want to see me grow old to 90, 100, please, keep making me smile.
My wife also tells the best jokes. Shes the funny one in the marriage. She makes me happy all the time. So, I’m looking forward to more of that when I am old.
What would you like to change about your spouse?
I don’t think there’s anything I want to change. So, please Amarachi Grace Makun, please do not even touch anything about you, please. I love you just the way you are. I love everything about you. The day you change anything, it will affect us, please. I love it like that. It’s your follow come attitude. Just leave her like that. I love everything about my wife. I’ve tasted both sides and, trust me, I love everything about my wife. I dont want to change anything.
His personality captured my heart – Grace Makun
Grace Amarachukwu Makun is a model, former MBGN’s Miss Amity 2012 and the boss of Fabjewels, a notable jewelry store in Lekki, Lagos. For her, she never envisaged she would become the life partner of a tailor, even after falling in love with him at first sight.
It was your 6th wedding anniversary yesterday, how do you feel?
I feel absolutely great; every year is a blessing for me. I took every year, one step at a time. Im thankful to God Almighty for six years of bliss. Its a journey that I’m fully prepared to take forever with my husband.
A tailor and a jeweller, how did you both meet? For you, was it love at first sight?
We met at a friends party and yes, we clicked and were inseparable that same day we met. We had good conversations, we noticed we liked the same things and connected so easily. I just couldn’t get my mind off him after we said our goodbyes that day. I got so eager to see him again. Yes, certainly it was love at first sight.
Ever envisaged you would end up with a tailor?
(Laughs) No! I never would have thought that I would end up with a tailor! I didn’t even know what I wanted meeting him. It wasn’t even about what he does for a living; I was all about his personality. My husband is a great person and that captured my heart.
The day he proposed, did you see it coming?
No, I didn’t at all. I remember right before that moment, we had an argument and I kept on telling myself that, I doubt if this relationship would work for me (laughs). I didn’t know he was trying to make me have a fight with him, so that I dont get the clue of what was coming. It was well-planned by him and the proposal came to me as a shock for real.
Marrying a popular figure, what were your fears during the first few months of your marriage?
I had no fears at all whatsoever
I have never had to focus on his public status, and it was not a problem for me which, made it easier and stress-free to deal with.
Do you fear that your love for each other may grow cold some day?
Our love grows stronger and stronger by the day. We have a solid foundation, we share lots of memories together that can sustain us a lifetime, and we are still making more memories together. God is with us and we lay our hope and faith in Him always, to uphold our relationship and marriage.
So, I have no fear at all.
Who apologises first?
I would say Yomi (Laughs). He’s such a sweetheart and unproblematic. My husband would choose peace over violence 100 percent no matter who is at fault.
Define Yomi Casual in three words?
Kind, sweet, fun. I can go on and on about my husband.
How did you pass the news of your first pregnancy to him and how did you both deal with the dramas and odd cravings?
He was overly excited to hear the news and he protected my peace and cravings all through the pregnancy. I had nothing to worry about.
Can you share your first labour room experience?
I was well prepared for the day. It felt so good holding on to my daughter for the first time in my arms. Its a joy that words cant explain. It was a glorious experience for us.
What are those little things that he does that excite you?
We have our couple tradition where we take one day out of the week to be together alone without distractions and he’s been consistent doing that. He’s always more prepared for that moment than me. My husband is so intentional about us and that excites me more than anything.
What would you like to change about him?
Absolutely nothing! I love him and all his imperfections.