A heated but thought-provoking conversation on the rising menace of “side chicks,” infidelity and collapsing marriages took centre stage at the 43rd edition of Boiling Point Arena discourse, as veteran journalist, Mrs. Funke Egbemode and fiery preacher, Apostle Lawrence Achudume, offered contrasting perspectives that ignited intense reactions among listeners.
The discourse, which examined the widening marital crisis in society, drew massive participation online and across multiple radio stations, while the Olowu of Owu Kingdom.
Oba Prof. Saka Matemilola, delivered brief keynote opening and closing remarks urging Nigerians to restore discipline, morality and family values.
But the defining moment of the discourse came when Funke Egbemode bluntly traced the growing “side chicks syndrome” to what she described as the greed, unchecked lust and insatiable appetite of many married men.
According to her, women labelled as “side chicks” often become convenient scapegoats while society deliberately overlooks the men who create and sustain the culture.
“Men want variety. Many are not satisfied with one woman. That is the bitter truth,” Egbemode declared during the session, arguing that numerous marital crises stem from male irresponsibility and emotional indiscipline rather than failures from women alone.
She maintained that some married men deliberately court younger women for ego, pleasure and social validation, despite having stable homes and supportive wives.
The veteran columnist further argued that social media glamour, materialism and the desperation for status have worsened the situation, making extramarital affairs appear fashionable among some elites.
Egbemode’s comments immediately stirred reactions when Apostle Lawrence Achudume responded from a different ideological and spiritual angle, suggesting that many of today’s secret affairs and “side chick” entanglements could have been avoided if some men embraced openness instead of hypocrisy.
In a remark that generated mixed reactions among participants, the cleric observed that traditional African society historically accommodated polygamous marriages openly, unlike today’s widespread culture of secrecy, deception and emotional manipulation.
Achudume argued that while he was not promoting promiscuity, hidden relationships and adulterous lifestyles have caused more emotional destruction than transparent family arrangements.
The cleric, who is the General Overseer of Victory Life Bible Church International, lamented what he described as the moral contradictions of men who publicly profess fidelity while secretly maintaining multiple relationships outside marriage.
He, however, stressed that regardless of societal changes, discipline, honesty and fear of God remain central to sustaining healthy homes.
He warned that unchecked sexual immorality, pride and lack of communication are rapidly destroying marriages and exposing children to emotional trauma.
The sharp contrast between Egbemode’s position blaming male excesses and Achudume’s reference to polygamous structures created one of the most engaging moments of the discourse, with callers and online participants sharply divided over the controversial subject.
While some participants aligned with Egbemode’s argument that men largely fuel the “side chick” phenomenon, others agreed with Achudume that societal hypocrisy has worsened infidelity and dishonesty in modern marriages.
In his intervention, Oba Prof. Saka Matemilola cautioned that regardless of differing opinions, the stability of the family institution must remain paramount.
The monarch urged couples to embrace sincerity, patience and mutual respect, warning that the increasing collapse of marriages poses serious consequences for society and future generations.
The latest edition of Boiling Point Arena once again lived up to its reputation for confronting sensitive societal issues head-on, leaving audiences with difficult but necessary conversations on morality, fidelity and the changing realities of marriage in contemporary Nigeria.
