Uchendu is one of the children of popular Nollywood actress, Patience Ozokwo. He talks about his mother’s career and life in this Punch interview. See excerpts below:
Tell us about yourself.
I am Uchendu. I am one of the children
of veteran Nollywood actress, Patience Ozokwo. After completing a degree
in Nigeria, I moved to the United Kingdom for further studies. I am
based in the UK and married there. I am a trained engineer. I am also
into entertainment. I am the Chief Executive Officer of Swift Records
Entertainment.
of veteran Nollywood actress, Patience Ozokwo. After completing a degree
in Nigeria, I moved to the United Kingdom for further studies. I am
based in the UK and married there. I am a trained engineer. I am also
into entertainment. I am the Chief Executive Officer of Swift Records
Entertainment.
What were the fond memories you had with your mother while growing up?
There is no dull moment with my mother.
We had fun with her because we are very close to her. There were many
fond memories with my mother when we were growing up. They were so many
that I could not start talking about them.
We had fun with her because we are very close to her. There were many
fond memories with my mother when we were growing up. They were so many
that I could not start talking about them.
Where were the places she took her family to for relaxation?
She is a very religious woman. Hence, she took us to bible seminars where we listened to the teachings and the word of God.
What career path did she encourage her children to take?
What I can readily remember is that she
encouraged us to go to school. She ensured that we got the best of
education by going the extra mile to support us. She did not
particularly tell us the courses to study but supported the choices we
made.
encouraged us to go to school. She ensured that we got the best of
education by going the extra mile to support us. She did not
particularly tell us the courses to study but supported the choices we
made.
Did she create time for her family despite her busy schedule as an actress?
I have always known my mother to be a
very busy woman. She is not the type that stays at home because she is
always busy doing one thing or the other. But despite her busy nature,
she created time for us. We were all grown up at the time she started
acting. Anytime I am in Nigeria, I always wonder how she has the time to
visit us abroad. But she makes time for us. She always finds time for
us to be together anytime I am in Nigeria.
very busy woman. She is not the type that stays at home because she is
always busy doing one thing or the other. But despite her busy nature,
she created time for us. We were all grown up at the time she started
acting. Anytime I am in Nigeria, I always wonder how she has the time to
visit us abroad. But she makes time for us. She always finds time for
us to be together anytime I am in Nigeria.
She was once a radio
announcer and later dabbled into fashion designing. Did she tell you why
she eventually decided to join the movie industry?
announcer and later dabbled into fashion designing. Did she tell you why
she eventually decided to join the movie industry?
Uchendu
My mother’s foray into the movie
industry was not a surprise. There was a word in the church that she
would go into the movie industry and become popular. I had wondered how
that would be at the time. I asked her how she would have the time to do
all of that considering her age. When she got the break in the
industry, she told me never to doubt what God can do.
industry was not a surprise. There was a word in the church that she
would go into the movie industry and become popular. I had wondered how
that would be at the time. I asked her how she would have the time to do
all of that considering her age. When she got the break in the
industry, she told me never to doubt what God can do.
How does she like to relax?
My mother works so hard even at her age.
But whenever she stays off work, she likes to spend time with her
family. She can also travel to the UK, US or any part of Africa to
relax.
But whenever she stays off work, she likes to spend time with her
family. She can also travel to the UK, US or any part of Africa to
relax.
Your mother married very early. Did she tell you how it happened?
I think she got married around age 18, 19 or thereabout. I am not too sure. I really did not know how it happened.
Did she ever visit you in school?
When I was in the secondary school, my
mother was still busy with her fashion designing. She was not that
popular in the movie business when I was in secondary school.
mother was still busy with her fashion designing. She was not that
popular in the movie business when I was in secondary school.
Does your mother’s name open doors for you?
Yes, it does. Her name opens doors for
me even in the UK. Whenever I am in Nigeria for one or two business
deals, her name helps a lot. I have a record company in Nigeria and some
people in high places call me for business because of her. I recall
when I felt I had done my bit in the UK and wanted to return to Nigeria
to face my record business, I left my workers in the UK. Many people
reached out to me on her account. They trusted and still trust me
because of her.
me even in the UK. Whenever I am in Nigeria for one or two business
deals, her name helps a lot. I have a record company in Nigeria and some
people in high places call me for business because of her. I recall
when I felt I had done my bit in the UK and wanted to return to Nigeria
to face my record business, I left my workers in the UK. Many people
reached out to me on her account. They trusted and still trust me
because of her.
How do people relate with you upon knowing who your mother is?
I do not always reveal to people that
she is my mother. But people always express surprise when they know.
They ask me ‘Are you sure?’ or say, ‘We want to meet her.’ They always
want to meet her.
she is my mother. But people always express surprise when they know.
They ask me ‘Are you sure?’ or say, ‘We want to meet her.’ They always
want to meet her.
What is her idea of punishing any child who misbehaves?
My mother is a disciplinarian. I cannot
readily recall anytime she beat me for doing anything wrong but she
ensured we were well-behaved. We always tried not to offend her though.
She does not use the cane.
readily recall anytime she beat me for doing anything wrong but she
ensured we were well-behaved. We always tried not to offend her though.
She does not use the cane.
Did she counsel her children on the kind of person to marry?
There was no time my mother called us
and counselled us on who to marry. But she expects us to choose a
partner of high standard. It is not high standard in terms of the family
the person must be from. Even though she does not tell us, we know that
there is a red line that we must not cross. We cannot marry
non-Christians, gays or lesbians.
and counselled us on who to marry. But she expects us to choose a
partner of high standard. It is not high standard in terms of the family
the person must be from. Even though she does not tell us, we know that
there is a red line that we must not cross. We cannot marry
non-Christians, gays or lesbians.
What kind of music does she like to listen to?
My mother likes listening to gospel
songs. I have never known her listen to any other type of songs. She
listens more to foreign praise and worship songs.
songs. I have never known her listen to any other type of songs. She
listens more to foreign praise and worship songs.
What is her work schedule like?
She travels a lot. My mother can be in
the US, UK and other places at anytime. She can travel to Kano, Enugu
and Abuja in a day. The plane crashes in the aviation space in Nigeria
made us fear for her life at a time because she travels a lot. We always
get scared anytime we hear of plane crash in Nigeria because we know
that our mother would be on a plane travelling to Africa, Europe or
America.
the US, UK and other places at anytime. She can travel to Kano, Enugu
and Abuja in a day. The plane crashes in the aviation space in Nigeria
made us fear for her life at a time because she travels a lot. We always
get scared anytime we hear of plane crash in Nigeria because we know
that our mother would be on a plane travelling to Africa, Europe or
America.
How do you feel being her son?
I feel blessed anyway because she is a lovely woman.
Who were the regular faces in your house while you were growing up?
My mother likes accommodating people in
her houses in Enugu, Lagos and so on. She is that kind of person.
Growing up, I saw a lot of faces in our house because she enjoys taking
care of people.
her houses in Enugu, Lagos and so on. She is that kind of person.
Growing up, I saw a lot of faces in our house because she enjoys taking
care of people.
What are the ideals you have learnt from her?
I have imbibed many values from her. One
of them is hard work. My mother is very hard working. She can create
something nice from nothing. I am a very domesticated person even though
I live in the UK. I still cook even though I am married. I learnt this
from my mother. When I was searching for a wife, I was not searching for
a woman that can cook. I was searching for a good woman like my mother.
My mother can sew a nice design from any clothing material. She is very
creative.
of them is hard work. My mother is very hard working. She can create
something nice from nothing. I am a very domesticated person even though
I live in the UK. I still cook even though I am married. I learnt this
from my mother. When I was searching for a wife, I was not searching for
a woman that can cook. I was searching for a good woman like my mother.
My mother can sew a nice design from any clothing material. She is very
creative.
How close are you to your mother?
We are very close. We have our
differences no doubt but we are close. We went through a lot together
when my father took ill. People do not even know that she is my mother
because we are close. They think we are brother and sister. Sometimes,
we do not talk on the telephone for days because she can be busy with
her work, travelling or carrying out some projects. But whenever I can
call her, I do and we talk about many things.
differences no doubt but we are close. We went through a lot together
when my father took ill. People do not even know that she is my mother
because we are close. They think we are brother and sister. Sometimes,
we do not talk on the telephone for days because she can be busy with
her work, travelling or carrying out some projects. But whenever I can
call her, I do and we talk about many things.
What is her favourite drink?
My mother loves Coke.
What is her favourite food?
It used to be egusi soup but I do not know about now. It could have changed over the years.
How sociable is she?
My mother is very sociable. She has an
amiable, arms-open and welcoming spirit. She relates well with people
and she’s always ready to support them. She enjoys assisting others in
solving their problems. My mother has many friends.
amiable, arms-open and welcoming spirit. She relates well with people
and she’s always ready to support them. She enjoys assisting others in
solving their problems. My mother has many friends.
What kind of mother is she?
This is a very tricky question. All I
can say is that she is a very lovely woman. My mother adopted many
children who live with her. She caters for their education and other
things.
can say is that she is a very lovely woman. My mother adopted many
children who live with her. She caters for their education and other
things.
What was the feeling like when your mother came to the UK to attend your wedding?
It was a great moment. My mother
attended my wedding with many bags. When she got to the airport, she was
asked if she wanted to sell them. She replied that they were meant for
her son’s wedding. The bags contained many ingredients and local
delicacies which she wanted to prepare to make the wedding a huge
success. My wife and I wanted a private wedding. But I told her that
with my mother present at the event, many people would attend because of
her fan base and amiable nature. My mother’s presence made the wedding
glamorous and big. We had also prepared for the guests.
attended my wedding with many bags. When she got to the airport, she was
asked if she wanted to sell them. She replied that they were meant for
her son’s wedding. The bags contained many ingredients and local
delicacies which she wanted to prepare to make the wedding a huge
success. My wife and I wanted a private wedding. But I told her that
with my mother present at the event, many people would attend because of
her fan base and amiable nature. My mother’s presence made the wedding
glamorous and big. We had also prepared for the guests.
How has she been able to cope without her husband?
It is not easy but she is coping well.
God has been helping her to move on. There is no day that I also do not
remember my wonderful father. I feel him every day. I miss him a lot.
God has been helping her to move on. There is no day that I also do not
remember my wonderful father. I feel him every day. I miss him a lot.
Your mother is popular for
playing the role of a bad woman in movies. Did she tell you why she
likes such roles and what people think about it?
playing the role of a bad woman in movies. Did she tell you why she
likes such roles and what people think about it?
Playing the role of a bad woman was the
first role she got when she started acting. After she performed the
role, it became a boom in the industry. People ask me if she is also as
wicked as she is in movies. At the time the photographs of our wedding
went viral online; I read some comments that my mother would maltreat my
wife. Apparently, they were referring to the roles of a bad woman she
plays in movies. I laughed because I know that such is the opposite of
my mother in real life. My mother has never been involved in the affairs
of my family. She gives me a free hand. My wife has never suffered any
form of wicked act from my mother. I think I should educate people and
tell them that my mother is actually passing some messages across with
the roles. She is saying it is improper to treat people wrongly be they
family members, son-in-law or mother-in-law. She preaches through the
roles that whoever does good should expect a reward likewise someone who
does bad.
first role she got when she started acting. After she performed the
role, it became a boom in the industry. People ask me if she is also as
wicked as she is in movies. At the time the photographs of our wedding
went viral online; I read some comments that my mother would maltreat my
wife. Apparently, they were referring to the roles of a bad woman she
plays in movies. I laughed because I know that such is the opposite of
my mother in real life. My mother has never been involved in the affairs
of my family. She gives me a free hand. My wife has never suffered any
form of wicked act from my mother. I think I should educate people and
tell them that my mother is actually passing some messages across with
the roles. She is saying it is improper to treat people wrongly be they
family members, son-in-law or mother-in-law. She preaches through the
roles that whoever does good should expect a reward likewise someone who
does bad.
How do people especially her fans react when they see her?
It is usually interesting especially
when I go to the airport to pick her whenever she is in the UK. People
often mill around to see her. She came to the UK for the premiere of a
movie, ‘Onochie’ by the Aneke twin sisters (Chidinma and Chidiebere).
The premiere sold out because she was around. A white man, who was a
guard at the venue of the event, told me that he had witnessed many top
international stars come to the place, but that he had never witnessed
the crowd he saw that day. He said it was hard for him to also control
the crowd despite the fact that he had been controlling crowds as part
of his job for years. He told me that whoever my mother was, he needed
nobody to tell him that she must be a big star.
when I go to the airport to pick her whenever she is in the UK. People
often mill around to see her. She came to the UK for the premiere of a
movie, ‘Onochie’ by the Aneke twin sisters (Chidinma and Chidiebere).
The premiere sold out because she was around. A white man, who was a
guard at the venue of the event, told me that he had witnessed many top
international stars come to the place, but that he had never witnessed
the crowd he saw that day. He said it was hard for him to also control
the crowd despite the fact that he had been controlling crowds as part
of his job for years. He told me that whoever my mother was, he needed
nobody to tell him that she must be a big star.
How did you feel when your mother was honoured among some distinguished Nigerians during the centennial celebration?
That was one of the biggest honours
bestowed on her by the Federal Government. She was honoured with the
Member of the Federal Republic and the centennial honour was also great.
We felt blessed having her as a mother. Also, I am sure that my father
would be happy that he married her because she has never in anyway
tarnished the image of the family. All we have been hearing about her
has been positive stories. She is a blessing to us, the country and the
society.
bestowed on her by the Federal Government. She was honoured with the
Member of the Federal Republic and the centennial honour was also great.
We felt blessed having her as a mother. Also, I am sure that my father
would be happy that he married her because she has never in anyway
tarnished the image of the family. All we have been hearing about her
has been positive stories. She is a blessing to us, the country and the
society.
Have you ever encouraged her to remarry?
This is another tricky question. There
was a time I was in Nigeria and I tried broaching the topic. But she
ruled it out describing us as the husbands she now have. I think it is a
sacrifice she has to make for us. She wants the family to be the way
our father left it by not remarrying to pursue personal interests. That,
again, says more about her kind of person. Really, I do not have any
problem if she decides to remarry. But my mother seems not bothered
about remarrying.
was a time I was in Nigeria and I tried broaching the topic. But she
ruled it out describing us as the husbands she now have. I think it is a
sacrifice she has to make for us. She wants the family to be the way
our father left it by not remarrying to pursue personal interests. That,
again, says more about her kind of person. Really, I do not have any
problem if she decides to remarry. But my mother seems not bothered
about remarrying.
How does she cope with male admirers?
My mother is too involved in church
activities to be bothered about that. You need to know her religious
level to understand her better. I know that she does not have time for
that.
activities to be bothered about that. You need to know her religious
level to understand her better. I know that she does not have time for
that.
Did she tell you how she got the nickname ‘Mama G?’
The nickname came from a movie she acted in. In the movie, she was referred to as the ‘Mother General.’
What can you say are the contributions of your mother to Nollywood?
My mother has been able to call
attention to Nollywood. She also encourages other people through her
hard work even as she has greatly contributed to the industry.
attention to Nollywood. She also encourages other people through her
hard work even as she has greatly contributed to the industry.