PATIENCE OZOKWO- MAMA G

Popularly known as Mama G, Patience Ozokwo is known for her tough and sometimes mean roles in movies. one would wonder why film directors most times chooses her for these kind of roles, perhaps may be because she just does it so well.

But it will surprise you to know that Patience is quite a warm and emotional person in contrast to her kind of roles. In fact, she’s a shy person and would you believe that little things make her cry?

Going down memory lane, she says her foray into acting was not by accident as she has since been acting from childhood. As a child, she was a member of Tarkwa-Bay Children Club, from which she went to represent her secondary school at the Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC) in 1977. At the Teachers’ Training College, she acted in several stage dramas.

So far so good the veteran actress says her acting career has been smooth and challenging because she likes working with icons and veterans. The fact that her fans also expect nothing less from her is another motivation that keeps her going, So she doesn’t get carried away with fame, but rather organises herself for maximum result while on set.

It would interest you to know that despite her frequent appearances in movies, she is based in Enugu “the coal city”. To her Enugu is the place that made her, she’s therefore attached to the city and does not really see the need to relocate or have an office in Lagos. She however says people who need her from far and near knows how to reach her, adding that she’s not totally ruling out opening an office in Lagos.

Patience Ozokwo who has featured in about 1,000 films, made her debut into Nollywood in 1998 when she acted in the movie “Sins of the father” where she acted in just two scenes. Today the story is different as she plays the lead role in most movies she features.

Popularly known as Mama G, the versatile actress got the name from a home video titled Old Skool, with the “G” meaning “General”.

On her take about Nollywood, she describes it as the pride of Nigeria and Africa. Saying that she is more than fulfilled being in Nollywood, which has also come to stay permanently.

Aside acting, Mama G also sings, like you would recall she released an album sometime ago which didn’t do badly at all. Though she says her fans should expect another one from her soon, she would love to start with a gospel album.

She also reveals that she has a personal dance troupe that she’s funding. It is called Rhema Entertainment Ministry, a group of Christian dancers. Patience says it’s her little way of encouraging the youth to desist from dancing naked on stage or in musical videos. She further adds that though the group is based in Enugu State, plans are on to have a branch in Lagos.

Attributing her success to God, the Star Actress says she has no plans for retirement yet, as she is still greatly appreciated by her fans. She also hinted that if wanted by her people to represent them politically, she would accept the call; provided they meet her prerequisites to allow her uphold the rules of public office. Adding that she wants to go into public service and be like Dr. Dora Akunyili – the former DG of NAFDAC – now the minister of Information and Communication, because she has truly represented women folk in the country and the world at large.

Her call to Nigerian women is that they should take up their honourable profession as priority and make good use of it as well as help their husbands maintain the home.

Patience Ozokwo though a widow is blessed with three boys and a girl, but because of her love for children she adopted some who are currently living with her.