Bovi’s AFRIFF Joke Hails Tuface as the Only Man to ‘Skip Divorce’ for New Marriage
Comedian Bovi Ugboma, a master of turning any gathering into a sidesplitting affair, lived up to his reputation at the recent Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) Globe Awards. As the event capped off the weeklong festival, Bovi, known for his costly and provocative humor, didn’t shy away from stirring the pot, this time directing his wit towards music legend Innocent ‘Tuface’ Idibia.
A History of Roasts and a New Punchline
This isn’t the first time Bovi has playfully targeted the African Queen crooner. Back in 2015, he joined the late Sound Sultan and MI Abaga in a legendary roast for Tuface’s 40th birthday, touching on everything from his career to his personal life. But at the AFRIFF ceremony, Bovi presented a new, headline-worthy observation.
Co-hosting with Venita Akpofure, Bovi quipped that Tuface may have achieved a unique feat in recorded history. With his characteristic timing, he described the singer as “the only man who successfully skipped divorce and entered another marriage.”
The Context Behind the Comedy
The joke was a sharp, humorous reference to Tuface’s recent personal transitions. The musician’s separation from his long-term wife, Annie Macaulay, was swiftly followed by his traditional marriage to Natasha Osawaru, a member of the Edo State House of Assembly, all within a matter of months.
“Happiness is what matters, ladies and gentlemen,” Bovi declared to the audience, even as his co-host attempted to correct the record. “Some people like to announce it, some don’t. Buchi jumped out of marriage, and nobody knew. Tuface is the only man who left one marriage for the next marriage, skipping the divorce process.” He quickly added, with a note of inclusivity, that a person’s happiness—whether a man’s or a woman’s—is the ultimate priority.
A Broader Trend in Nigerian Comedy
Bovi’s jest, while lighthearted, touches on a wider, more sobering trend among his comedic peers. The list of high-profile separations in the industry has grown notably in recent years.
In late 2022, comedian Basketmouth announced his split from his wife, Elsie, on Instagram, calling the decision difficult but unavoidable. That same year, fellow comic Buchi faced public separation and a subsequent messy custody battle. More recently, in 2024, AY Makun announced his separation from his wife of 20 years, Mabel, posting a cryptic message about the complexities of blame and the dynamics of public perception in such situations.
In this context, Bovi’s joke about Tuface ‘skipping the line’ serves as both a punchline and a poignant reflection on the changing landscape of relationships in the public eye. It underscores a simple truth: in life and in love, the paths people take are rarely identical.
Source: Adapted from the original report.