Sexy Ify
Every Good Friday is a special day in the life of sexy plus-size actress in Nollywood, Ifeoma Okeke-Ozzoude as it marked the beginning of a journey she choose over her professional call as a nurse. Today, Ify as she’s popularly called celebrates 22 years of her acting career.
The actress who is currently the Chief of Staff of the incumbent President of Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN, Mr. Emeka Rollas proudly narrates how it all started:
“2008 Good Friday marked the beginning of a journey I choose over my professional call as a nurse. Nkem Owoh who has always encouraged me to act gave me a sweet role in YOGO PAMPAM (WAKAPASS). It was a sweet role because I sang and I wasn’t paid and I travelled to Umuahia from there to attend my small godmother’s traditional wedding, Auntie Nneoma (Nee Daniel). When I came back I got my first sub-lead and lead immediately though all acted for free. I thought the journey was so easy so I choose it, started attending auditions at Tobe, Uzzi garden, ECOWAS, Winnis etc was our meeting point. But reality set in, one morning at Tobe, standing with Chidi Aroma my town’s man I called brother came in. I was so happy to see him believing the gate of heavens will be opened only for him to tell me, Ify this place isn’t for you (in Igbo) go and play football I know you because he knew me as a goalkeeper in my secondary days. I laugh and told him I will make it here. Nkechi Achums was so upset that she complained to Sandra Achums, her elder sister but Sandra gave us an advice which is still why even without being A lister or B lister I have paid my dues and have written my name in the rock of time.
Actress Okeke
Sandra said, in our time people are begged to act in your time people wants to act so fight for it. Aunty Clarion Chukwura said to us one day that all of us won’t make it in the morning (uwa mgbede ka nma) so I didn’t give up, continued with auditions. After the auditions list will come out and what I will hear from some directors who are my friends today is Ify you are a good actor but you are black, fat, young face and tiny voice, your voice doesn’t match your body as well as your face so you cannot make it in this industry; I advise you back to your nursing. Even during screening of NAG then late Theodore and 1, Aunty Florence said am good that’s why am the only 1 am who passed screening in my set but my voice and body won’t help me. All my set then will console me, all I did was smiles but on my way home with hot tears dripping down my cheek. But cant hold back the tears of joy, my whole life playing back and forth knowing how frustrated I was and had no choice than start doing makeup assistant for Aunty Grace Adiku out of depression, confusion and heartbroken. So another director told me to do crew that my voice won’t help or I face my foundation as I was doing back then too. Empress Njamah will pamper me, even when I started dancing with Vivian Ukazu and Happiness; she was always there, pick the spray money and keep for me because I always have to run home even if I have to sleep outside but I must be seen there in the midnight or morning (story for another day)”.
The audacious actress has indeed paid her dues in full as far as Nollywood is concern. Going down memory lane, the Purple Campaign founder appreciates those who supported her. “Late J.T Tom West was my manager who got me shows to dance. I dance taya for Easter Jam at Lekki beach those day for some people without pay (make I no mention them) so I depend on was spray money. Atimes I will dance for all the musicians performing that day, yet my brother (Ikemjimba) will still come to give me transport to go home. But as time goes by my father in this industry believed in me and started giving me 5 to 10 scenes. God bless you Chico Ejiro. Then came the man who gave me my first real sub-lead Manex followed immediately with lead. Ekenna Igwe was there before Oga Chico and did all the encouragement with both crew work and all. Late Chike Bryan, Kingsley Ogoro, Adim William, Andy Chukwu, late Kasvid, pressing forward & Divine Touch (Kingsley & Ikechukwu Onyeka) just to mention few. Then my main boss Emeka Ossai; I remain loyal, that man who till today am not sure remembers my real name. Is either he calls me Shakabula or Vero, sir I love the names don’t stop calling me that. God bless you sir. Alex mouth (ogo) thanks so much for making sure I went back to school. So it’s double achievements for me.
Before meets after
Thank you so much for helping me set my feet on this greater ground. It’s only an enemy that will write the history of the industry without adding my name. To my boss, Mr. Emeka Rollas; thank you sir for believing so much in small me with all my flaws”.
According to the big, bold and beautiful Ify, the art is her calling, it is what she was born to do so I’ll continuously dust off the negative toxic comment and forge ahead. Fast forward to 22 years professionally in the business with a lot of merited awards won, Ify feels she’s yet to hit the big break.
“I have come to stay, focused, persevering and here to make a mark and emboss my name on the rock of time. To you sir’s and ma’s, I want to say thank you for giving me my rough beginning that made me the strong, dogged, fearless woman I am today. Even when I fall I know I am rising 22 times better. I love the woman you’re today Ifeomachukwumelum” she concludes.
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