Saint Obi and Hilda Dokubo
If there’s anything movies have taught us, it’s that nothing strengthens true love like seemingly inevitable death. In Zeb Ejiro’s “Goodbye Tomorrow”, Hilda Dokubo played an HIV positive woman who had to battle her deteriorating health as well as societal stigma. She found a shoulder to lean on in Saint Obi. Lots of crying and lots of “don’t give up” moments abound.
Richard Mofe Damijo and Stella Damasus
In Charles Novia’s “The Bridesmaid”, serial maid of honor, Stella Damasus found her Mr. Right in RMD, after numerous disappointments. Sure, he was her best friend (Kate Henshaw)’s man in the first place, and she kind of stole him, but hey, when the going get’s tough, the tough get going abi? All that matters is, they were a perfect fit and the bridesmaid-for-life finally became a bride.
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Muna Obiekwe and Genevieve Nnaji
For some reason, these two have chemistry. Weird, but life is full of such inexplicabilities. In “ Blood for Tears”, Genny was involved in multiple makeout sessions with Muna. Now we all know, in Nollywood, after you kiss one or two times, you can hug till kingdom come if you want to. I struggle to remember Genny locking lips as many times in one movie with any of her more illustrious onscreen love interests as she did with Muna.
Chidi Mokeme and Genevieve Nnaji
Tope Idowu and Ofuafo Otomewo
From Tade Ogidan’s “Hostages”, we have this simple tale of love. Poor boy falls for rich girl. Rich girl papa no gree. Boy and Girl elope. Police catch them; jail boy, return girl to papa. Boy breaks out of jail, sneaks into rich man’s house to reclaim love of his life…simple tale of love.
Desmond Elliot and Stephanie Okereke
These two have been paired together to good effect several times, most notably in "Efficacy" and "Wicked Intentions".
Ramsey Nouah and Omotola Jalade Ekeinde
What would a nollywood romance-themed list be without a Ramsey Nouah mention? In Nigeria, when we think of loverboys we think of Ramsey first. In “Private Storm”, Ramsey and Omotola share that Ike and Tina, special kind of love. Ramsey’s character grew up watching his mother suffer abuse from his step father, and so, that kind of messed him up for life. When his loving side did manage to override his abusive side, it was [sarcasm]heartwarming stuff[/sarcasm].
As per this scene, I’m not gonna say anything about the over zealous standing fan, hidden in the corner, that tried to blow Omotola’s weave off.
Richard Mofe Damijo and Ego Boyo
After watching these two love and hate each other week in, week out as Segun Kadiri and Ann Haastrup on Amaka Igwe’s soap, “Checkmate”, it was no surprise when they turned in quality performances as a couple in “Violated”.
Fred Amata and Omotola Jalade Ekeinde
Again proving that staring death in the face makes you love harder, we have Fred Amata and Omotola from the sickle-cell anaemia awareness movie, “Mortal Inheritance”. This was in the good old days, when you hadn’t truly loved in a Nollywood movie, until you had gone horseriding together on the beach…
Richard Mofe Damijo and Genevieve Nnaji
He chased her in “Criticial Decision”, they were husband and wife In “Darkest Night”, but it was in “Keeping Faith” that RMD and Genny really nailed it. From the initial shakara to the honeymoon phase to the serious falling out to the reunion; a movie romance well executed.
Honorable mention:
Ramsey Nouah and Genevieve Nnaji, Emeka Ike and Dolly Unachukwu (disqualified due to incest i.e, "Deadly Affair"), Majid Michel and Nse Ikpe Etim, Mike Ezuruonye and Mercy Johnson
