Veteran comedian and actor Okey Bakassi and his wife, Ezinne Onyegbule, fondly called Zizi, marked their 25th wedding anniversary on September 1, 2026, a silver jubilee that drew warm congratulations from colleagues, fans and family members across Nigeria, Canada and beyond.

The couple first met in 1988 in Port Harcourt, when Okey was a first-year university student. Their friendship began with handwritten letters, paused for eight years while both pursued their education, and resumed with a new sense of purpose. On September 1, 2001, they exchanged vows in Port Harcourt, the same city where their story started.

A tribute in his own words

Marking the day on social media, Okey wrote to his wife: "Zizi, my darling wife, thanks for saying YES 25 years ago... thanks for staying, thanks for helping me find direction, thanks for your sacrifices. Please, let's do another 25 years and beyond... you know me like no one does."

Within hours, the post filled with messages from fellow entertainers and fans who described the couple as one of the most grounded partnerships in Nigerian show business.

Three children and two countries

The Onyegbules have three children: Chidera, Ofechi and Chetanna. More than a decade ago, the family relocated to Canada, a decision Okey has said was made to give the children a stable school calendar. Since then he has divided his time between work in Lagos and family life abroad, a routine he has joked few comedians could survive career-wise.

What a silver jubilee means

A 25th anniversary is traditionally called the silver jubilee, with silver symbolising strength and lasting value. In many Nigerian families it is marked with thanksgiving services, renewed vows or intimate dinners, and it is widely seen as proof that a marriage has weathered real seasons of life.

For Okey and Zizi, the milestone is a quiet answer to the noise that often follows public figures: a long, steady partnership built away from the spotlight.