Spotlighting ‘Bigz Galz’ and ‘Bigz Boiz’ Of Omo Ghetto

The follow spot is on the leading ladies and men of Nigeria’s highest grossing movie at the cinema, Omo Ghetto- The Saga – Funke Akindele-Bello, Chioma Akpotha, Eniola Badmus, Bimbo Thomas, Deyemi Okanlawon, Alex Ekubo, Akah Nnani and Zubby Michael.

These notable screen celebrities put up a delightful performance in the compelling tribute to life in the ghetto that has so far grossed N531million as domestic box office earning, according to figures by the Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria (CEAN). It is still showing in cinemas across the country and observers have predicted that it will climb up to the 600 million mark by which time it will leave The Wedding Party 1 (TWP 1), which grossed 453 Million Naira in 2016, in a distant second position.

Produced by Funke Akindele’s Scene One Production and co-directed by Funke Akindele and her husband JJC Skillz, if the movie, which is a sequel to Omo Ghetto, which debuted a decade ago and which tells the story of twin sisters Lefty and Ayomide who live different lives after being separated in their formative years but reunited as adults by series of twists has continued to retain number one position on the box office chat, it is because this diet of the movie, which is focused on Lefty’s (Funke Akindele) struggles is not just a delight to watch, but Funke and her crew pulled a good cast that gave the movie its acting credits. The spotlight is on some of the leading men and ladies.

Funke Akindele (Lefty, Ayomide)
Clearly the star of Omo Ghetto-The Saga, Funke Akindele doubled as the gangster Lefty and the cultured Ayomide and she delivered a compelling and star making performance. Funke proved with her performance both in front and behind the camera that she is versatile.

An actress that has remained relevant and that has continued to reign uproariously, Funke’s artistic contributions have continued to retain an irreplaceable place for in the artistic scheme of things. Popular as Jenifa, an alias she earned for her delightful interpretation of the screen character Jenifa, Funke who has won all the major awards that are there to win in the movie industry, including the award for best actress at the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) and the African Magic Viewers Choice Award (AMVCA) and who has also continued to sign multi million naira endorsement and entertainment deals, has continued to samba well on and off screen.

Chioma Akpotha (Chomichoko)
Popular Nollywood actress Chioma Chukwuka-Akpotha played Chomichoko in Omo Ghetto. Chomi is a prominent member of Lefty’s Askamaya gang and she not only chewed the role, but also showed immense range playing a gangster role, far from other roles she has played in Nollywood films.

Popular by her maiden name Chioma Chukwukah, the Banking and Finance graduate of the Lagos State University (LASU) has risen steadily to become a queen on the acting turf. Chioma whose debut as an actress was in the movie titled Apple by Lancelot Oduwa Imaseun got a confirmation of her star status when she was crowned the best actress in Africa for her deep runs in the urban telling Sins of the Flesh, at the 2007 edition of the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA). That icing was all the star of critically acclaimed movies such as Hearts on Fire, Azima, Wives on Strike, Accident and Romantic Attraction needed on her career cake to emerge one of Africa’s leading ladies.

Bimbo Thomas (Nicky)
Actress and wine seller, Bimbo Thomas played Nicky, another prominent member of the Askamaya gang in Omo Ghetto. A graduate of Creative Arts from the University of Lagos, Bimbo was a member of the cast of the first diet of Omo Ghetto produced in 2011. So, she continued her run as Nicky in this installment and the star of some Yoruba movies, including Eruku Nla, Opolo, and Omo Poly lived her role believably.

Eniola Badmus (Busty)
Plumy actress Eniola Badmus played Busty, a prominent member of Lefty’s gang called the Askamaya Bees. The notable actress contributed in giving the movie its acting credits. Popular amongst the crowd who watch both English and Yoruba movies, Eniola shot to prominence after she featured in two hit Yoruba movies Jenifa and Omo Ghetto.

A native of Ijebu-Ode in Ogun State where she was also born, Eniola attended the University of Ibadan and the Lagos State University where she said she bagged first and second degrees in theatre arts and economics respectively. The witty actress joined the industry in 2008 and she has since then been busy sparring in several Yoruba and English movies, including Angelina, Blackberry Babes, Village Babes, Oreke Temi and Omo Jesu.

Deyemi Okanlawon (Stone)
Notable Nollywood actor turned content distributor Deyemi Okanlawon played the central role Stone, who controlled the circle of fraudsters in Omo Ghetto. A film, television, theatre and voice actor, Deyemi showed stuff as an actor and was believably in character. Best known for his roles in the TV Series Gidi Up, Okanlawon was born in Lagos, studied Chemical engineering at the University of Lagos and obtained a Certificate in Acting for Film, from the New York Film Academy.

Okanlawon made his feature film debut in the 2010 movie ZR-7. In 2013, he switched careers to focus on acting full-time and has since featured in over 50 films, 8 stage plays and has appeared in OLX and GLO TV commercials. Movies in his pouch include Beyond Blood, If Tomorrow Never Comes and No Man’s Land.

Alexx Ekubo (Obi Wire)
Actor and model, Alexx Ekubo featured as Obi Wire in Omo Ghetto. A native of Arochukwu in Abia State, Alexx studied Law at the University of Calabar and had his debut in Lancelot Imaseun’s 2005 movie Sinners in The House.

The award-winning actor has gone on to feature in a number of television productions and movies including Weekend Get Away, Switch, Bling Lagosians, Your Excellency and 72 Hours.
Other leading stars of Omo Ghetto: Zubby Michael (Azaman) and Akah Nnani (Mario).