Ubi Franklin reveals his divorce led to a struggle with mental health issues

Nigerian music executive Ubi Franklin has opened up about his struggles with depression and suicidal thoughts following the end of his marriage to Nollywood actress Lilian Esoro, a period he describes as one of the darkest moments of his life.

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In a recent episode of his podcast, Talks with Ubi Franklin, released on his Instagram page on Wednesday, Franklin shared his emotional journey, which began when he met Esoro on January 4, 2015.

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Franklin proposed to Esoro just a few months later, on March 19, 2015, and even organized a celebratory dinner at the Red Restaurant of Eko Hotel, but the evening took an unexpected turn when Esoro failed to show up.

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According to Franklin, Esoro had returned the engagement ring and left, leaving him feeling embarrassed, especially since the event had garnered significant attention on social media.

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Esoro later explained that she had developed cold feet about the engagement, and the two eventually reconciled and got married after she indicated she was ready to proceed with the wedding.

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Despite their efforts to make the marriage work, the union ultimately ended in divorce, taking a heavy emotional toll on Franklin and leaving him feeling depressed and suicidal.

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Franklin revealed that he attempted to end his life on several occasions, including one instance where he drove to Third Mainland Bridge in a red CLA, but was stopped by his cousin, Omini Stitches.

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He expressed gratitude for his cousin's intervention, which he credited with saving his life, and acknowledged the emotional turmoil he experienced during that time, feeling like he had lost his way despite having a successful career.

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Following their separation, Franklin and Esoro chose not to engage in public disputes and have instead focused on co-parenting their son, a decision that has allowed them to maintain a positive relationship.

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Franklin described their son as the greatest blessing to come from the marriage, saying that despite the pain, he believes their son is a valuable gift, and that the child is doing very well.

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Offering words of encouragement to those going through similar experiences, Franklin urged people not to lose hope, emphasizing that the end of a marriage or relationship is not the end of life, but rather an opportunity to learn and grow.

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He encouraged those struggling to keep moving forward, even in the face of adversity, and to find the lessons that can be learned from difficult experiences, just as he has done in his own life.