t The First Time! Click
Popular Nollywood actress — Patience
Ozokwor aka Mama G who is set to
celebrate her birthday in a day’s time
has revealed her real age for the first
time ever.
In this exclusive chat with the
entertainer, the Enugu-born actress
speaks at length about her life as a
widow and why she adopted 5 children,
why she love to live in the village.
Enjoy the interview below:
How did you feel when you received the
Centenary award?
I feel very elated to have received the
award, because it is a sign that Nigerians
appreciate my good work. It is indeed a
dream come through for me as a thespian,
and I promise to always make Nigeria and
Africa proud with my work.
How do you feel about all your
achievements as an actress?
Stardom has taking me to so many
countries in the world. I have been able to
meet presidents of different nations. And I
appreciate the fact that people commend
and appreciate my acting skills whenever
they meet me anywhere in Nigeria and
outside the country, which gives me a
great pleasure and ability to work harder,
knowing that I have fans all over the world
is worth celebrating.
How has Nollywood helped to transform
Nigeria?
Our movies have been able to affect
people’s lives as well as make them happy.
In fact, Nollywood has transformed
Nigeria’s image abroad positively and I am
delighted to be part of this achievement.
Has your profession affected your life
positively?
I have been able to assist my family
financially through my work, my children
were able to go to school and they are
living a comfortable life with their families
as graduates by the special grace of God.
In fact, the movie industry has affected my
life positively in every ramification and I
don’t have any regret being an actress and
I give God all the glory.
Have you achieved all that you set out to
achieve?
I have not yet achieved everything,
personally there are things that I have in
mind to do in the industry, but when I look
back there is nobody yet qualified to take
over the mantle from me. And I pray that
God will raise someone that will be better
than me, which will be a great achievement
to have someone who will replace me,
when I finally leave the industry.
Would you support any of your children to
go into entertainment?
My second son is already into
entertainment, he has a music record
label. While my daughter ended up in the
church drama. Though, my son acted in
few movies before he left for the United
Kingdom, hopefully he may do more in
acting or movie directing in the future. And
I will give him every encouragement if he
decides to go into acting professionally,
because he is passionate about
entertainment.
While growing up did you ever think of
becoming a movie star?
I have always been an entertainer from
childhood, so getting to the level I have
attained in the industry is by the grace of
God, consistency and hard work.
Could you share some of the experiences
you had in your early days as an actress
that almost discouraged you?
During my early days, sometimes when I
get to location with a script, they would
tell me someone has taken my place,
which was so disappointing. But I endured
and believed God for mine, and He gave
me what belongs to me. Today, God has
celebrated me as an icon and I give God all
the glory.
Your husband died in 2000, precisely 14
years ago, how is life as a widow?
God has always been on my side because
without Him there is nothing we can do.
Again, I lived in the village, maybe if I were
living in the city, things would be
happening to me and nobody will know
what I was passing through. And my
people in the village know that I am always
on location working either in the eastern
part of the country or Lagos and Abuja. But
when I am not working you will see me in
the comfort of my home in the village. I
appreciate my people for all their love and
peaceful co-existence which I am enjoying.
My husband’s
family loves me so much, even before I
became a star; we were so attached to
each other. Everyone in the family calls me
Patia; they are fond of me.
Are you saying you still live in the village?
I don’t live in the city; I still live in my
village. It is nice to live in the countryside
where everyone is everybody’s business.
(Laughter).
Not minding the fact that you are a
celebrity?
If you see the way people appreciate me in
my village, whenever I go to the market to
shop everyone will be calling me ‘Mama
G’, ‘Gee’ for general, in fact, you will
appreciate me more. But my office is
located in Enugu town. So, I enjoy living in
the village, my hometown. I still live my
life of simplicity regardless of fame.
How do you manage to shuttle from the
village to other parts of the country?
I have a guesthouse in Lagos where some
of my jobs are concentrated like soaps,
endorsements, commercials and shooting
of movies. I have a three bedroom flat in
Asaba. Because I am tired of staying in
public hostels, some are sub-standard;
and sometimes you run into small girls
that you know. So, I decided to rent an
apartment each in Lagos and Asaba for
comfort. I have adopted children who I
take on holidays, so because I would not
like them to grow up in the village without
being exposed to city life, when they are
on long vocation and I am in Nigeria, I take
them to Lagos or Asaba for a change of
environment.
Your son had his wedding in the United
Kingdom sometimes ago and your
daughter also got married in Nigeria, how
many children do you have?
I have three biological children. But
because of my love for children, I adopted
five other children who bear my name and I
am very proud of them as my children. But
I intend giving two among them to my
younger sister to love as I have been
doing. I am grateful to God for their lives,
my son in-law and beautiful daughter-in-
law I love you all.
Your late husband was supportive of your
career, would you say you miss his
presence now that you have hit stardom,
especially being honoured with the
Centenary award?
I wish my husband were alive to witness
my Centenary award, because he
waschighly supportive of my career.
Though, he was sick for a long time before
hevdied, I wish he were still alive. But God
knows the best. May his soul rest in
perfect peace.
What did you really miss about him?
I miss the togetherness, when two people
work together trying to train the children,
bringing them up in unity and love. And all
the affection he showered on us. I miss
the way he celebrated my children’s
birthdays, he was a true father and
husband when he was alive. I miss my
husband’s companionship and love.
Have you ever acted any role related with
your experience as a widow?
Of course, one or two things that happened
to you as a widow will definitely come up
in the movies, but I have not acted any
widowhood role that has to do with my
experience as a widow negatively. My in-
laws have been very supportive and caring;
we have always lived like one big family. I
always visit them in the United Kingdom,
United States of America and those in
Nigeria are united in love with me. When
my husband was hospitalized, my sister-
in-law and I were taking care of him; she
stayed with him at nights while I took over
from her in the morning before going to
location. On that fateful day, I was on
location when my husband died, before my
sister in-law arrived the hospital.
Thereafter, they informed me about his
death and they put him in the mortuary
and asked me to continue with my job,
because they understand my kind of job,
but I blatantly refused. I took permission
from the producer and stayed away for
some days. I later came back to finish the
production of the movie.
Tell us about your parents?
My parents were loving and caring, I miss
them so much. My mother was a popular
trader. I never had it rough as a child, I
only had it rough when my husband fell
sick, but my in-laws did not leave me, they
took care of my husband’s hospital bills.
It’s just that you don’t have to wait for
people to survive; instead you struggle to
make life meaningful for yourself.
You are looking younger and beautiful
even at your age, are you thinking about
remarrying?
It is not about my look but my age. I am
not thinking about remarrying. Since my
husband died, I have been rearing my
children to the glory of God. And I decided
to occupy my mind on my job and service
to God to give my children the best in life.
How old are you now?
I was born on March 25,1958, so do the
calculation.
At 56, you are looking elegant. What is the
secret behind your healthy look?
God is the secret behind my ageless look,
and I also eat what my body needs, I take a
lot of fruits and exercise when it’s
necessary. And most imperatively, I don’t
drink alcohol because I have realized that
alcohol does a lot of damage to the body
and makes you look older than your age.
Nollywood producers have stereotyped
you with roles that make you get bad
remarks, how have these roles affected
your life?
I don’t owe anybody any apology for the
roles I play, because I get paid for them
and it is my job. It is only people who don’t
understand that acting is make belief that
perceive an actor to be living his or her life
the way she acts on set. If I could read my
script and interpret the role to get the best
production, it means I understand acting.
Who is Patience Ozokwor outside the set?
I am a very loving mother, nice, caring,
jovial, understanding, and above all God
fearing. But I don’t take nonsense because
I am a disciplinarian.
You attended teachers training college
were you nursing the idea of becoming a
teacher?
I attended teachers training college in
Afikpo; and then I proceeded to IMT,
Enugu where I studied Fine and Applied
Arts, specializing in Graphics. But I am
a not a teacher today, because my interest
is in acting where my passion also
lies.
Popular Nollywood actress — Patience
Ozokwor aka Mama G who is set to
celebrate her birthday in a day’s time
has revealed her real age for the first
time ever.
In this exclusive chat with the
entertainer, the Enugu-born actress
speaks at length about her life as a
widow and why she adopted 5 children,
why she love to live in the village.
Enjoy the interview below:
How did you feel when you received the
Centenary award?
I feel very elated to have received the
award, because it is a sign that Nigerians
appreciate my good work. It is indeed a
dream come through for me as a thespian,
and I promise to always make Nigeria and
Africa proud with my work.
How do you feel about all your
achievements as an actress?
Stardom has taking me to so many
countries in the world. I have been able to
meet presidents of different nations. And I
appreciate the fact that people commend
and appreciate my acting skills whenever
they meet me anywhere in Nigeria and
outside the country, which gives me a
great pleasure and ability to work harder,
knowing that I have fans all over the world
is worth celebrating.
How has Nollywood helped to transform
Nigeria?
Our movies have been able to affect
people’s lives as well as make them happy.
In fact, Nollywood has transformed
Nigeria’s image abroad positively and I am
delighted to be part of this achievement.
Has your profession affected your life
positively?
I have been able to assist my family
financially through my work, my children
were able to go to school and they are
living a comfortable life with their families
as graduates by the special grace of God.
In fact, the movie industry has affected my
life positively in every ramification and I
don’t have any regret being an actress and
I give God all the glory.
Have you achieved all that you set out to
achieve?
I have not yet achieved everything,
personally there are things that I have in
mind to do in the industry, but when I look
back there is nobody yet qualified to take
over the mantle from me. And I pray that
God will raise someone that will be better
than me, which will be a great achievement
to have someone who will replace me,
when I finally leave the industry.
Would you support any of your children to
go into entertainment?
My second son is already into
entertainment, he has a music record
label. While my daughter ended up in the
church drama. Though, my son acted in
few movies before he left for the United
Kingdom, hopefully he may do more in
acting or movie directing in the future. And
I will give him every encouragement if he
decides to go into acting professionally,
because he is passionate about
entertainment.
While growing up did you ever think of
becoming a movie star?
I have always been an entertainer from
childhood, so getting to the level I have
attained in the industry is by the grace of
God, consistency and hard work.
Could you share some of the experiences
you had in your early days as an actress
that almost discouraged you?
During my early days, sometimes when I
get to location with a script, they would
tell me someone has taken my place,
which was so disappointing. But I endured
and believed God for mine, and He gave
me what belongs to me. Today, God has
celebrated me as an icon and I give God all
the glory.
Your husband died in 2000, precisely 14
years ago, how is life as a widow?
God has always been on my side because
without Him there is nothing we can do.
Again, I lived in the village, maybe if I were
living in the city, things would be
happening to me and nobody will know
what I was passing through. And my
people in the village know that I am always
on location working either in the eastern
part of the country or Lagos and Abuja. But
when I am not working you will see me in
the comfort of my home in the village. I
appreciate my people for all their love and
peaceful co-existence which I am enjoying.
My husband’s
family loves me so much, even before I
became a star; we were so attached to
each other. Everyone in the family calls me
Patia; they are fond of me.
Are you saying you still live in the village?
I don’t live in the city; I still live in my
village. It is nice to live in the countryside
where everyone is everybody’s business.
(Laughter).
Not minding the fact that you are a
celebrity?
If you see the way people appreciate me in
my village, whenever I go to the market to
shop everyone will be calling me ‘Mama
G’, ‘Gee’ for general, in fact, you will
appreciate me more. But my office is
located in Enugu town. So, I enjoy living in
the village, my hometown. I still live my
life of simplicity regardless of fame.
How do you manage to shuttle from the
village to other parts of the country?
I have a guesthouse in Lagos where some
of my jobs are concentrated like soaps,
endorsements, commercials and shooting
of movies. I have a three bedroom flat in
Asaba. Because I am tired of staying in
public hostels, some are sub-standard;
and sometimes you run into small girls
that you know. So, I decided to rent an
apartment each in Lagos and Asaba for
comfort. I have adopted children who I
take on holidays, so because I would not
like them to grow up in the village without
being exposed to city life, when they are
on long vocation and I am in Nigeria, I take
them to Lagos or Asaba for a change of
environment.
Your son had his wedding in the United
Kingdom sometimes ago and your
daughter also got married in Nigeria, how
many children do you have?
I have three biological children. But
because of my love for children, I adopted
five other children who bear my name and I
am very proud of them as my children. But
I intend giving two among them to my
younger sister to love as I have been
doing. I am grateful to God for their lives,
my son in-law and beautiful daughter-in-
law I love you all.
Your late husband was supportive of your
career, would you say you miss his
presence now that you have hit stardom,
especially being honoured with the
Centenary award?
I wish my husband were alive to witness
my Centenary award, because he
waschighly supportive of my career.
Though, he was sick for a long time before
hevdied, I wish he were still alive. But God
knows the best. May his soul rest in
perfect peace.
What did you really miss about him?
I miss the togetherness, when two people
work together trying to train the children,
bringing them up in unity and love. And all
the affection he showered on us. I miss
the way he celebrated my children’s
birthdays, he was a true father and
husband when he was alive. I miss my
husband’s companionship and love.
Have you ever acted any role related with
your experience as a widow?
Of course, one or two things that happened
to you as a widow will definitely come up
in the movies, but I have not acted any
widowhood role that has to do with my
experience as a widow negatively. My in-
laws have been very supportive and caring;
we have always lived like one big family. I
always visit them in the United Kingdom,
United States of America and those in
Nigeria are united in love with me. When
my husband was hospitalized, my sister-
in-law and I were taking care of him; she
stayed with him at nights while I took over
from her in the morning before going to
location. On that fateful day, I was on
location when my husband died, before my
sister in-law arrived the hospital.
Thereafter, they informed me about his
death and they put him in the mortuary
and asked me to continue with my job,
because they understand my kind of job,
but I blatantly refused. I took permission
from the producer and stayed away for
some days. I later came back to finish the
production of the movie.
Tell us about your parents?
My parents were loving and caring, I miss
them so much. My mother was a popular
trader. I never had it rough as a child, I
only had it rough when my husband fell
sick, but my in-laws did not leave me, they
took care of my husband’s hospital bills.
It’s just that you don’t have to wait for
people to survive; instead you struggle to
make life meaningful for yourself.
You are looking younger and beautiful
even at your age, are you thinking about
remarrying?
It is not about my look but my age. I am
not thinking about remarrying. Since my
husband died, I have been rearing my
children to the glory of God. And I decided
to occupy my mind on my job and service
to God to give my children the best in life.
How old are you now?
I was born on March 25,1958, so do the
calculation.
At 56, you are looking elegant. What is the
secret behind your healthy look?
God is the secret behind my ageless look,
and I also eat what my body needs, I take a
lot of fruits and exercise when it’s
necessary. And most imperatively, I don’t
drink alcohol because I have realized that
alcohol does a lot of damage to the body
and makes you look older than your age.
Nollywood producers have stereotyped
you with roles that make you get bad
remarks, how have these roles affected
your life?
I don’t owe anybody any apology for the
roles I play, because I get paid for them
and it is my job. It is only people who don’t
understand that acting is make belief that
perceive an actor to be living his or her life
the way she acts on set. If I could read my
script and interpret the role to get the best
production, it means I understand acting.
Who is Patience Ozokwor outside the set?
I am a very loving mother, nice, caring,
jovial, understanding, and above all God
fearing. But I don’t take nonsense because
I am a disciplinarian.
You attended teachers training college
were you nursing the idea of becoming a
teacher?
I attended teachers training college in
Afikpo; and then I proceeded to IMT,
Enugu where I studied Fine and Applied
Arts, specializing in Graphics. But I am
a not a teacher today, because my interest
is in acting where my passion also
lies.
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