Ify Okeke: Big, brainy and beautiful Nollywood princess

Ify Okeke-Ozzoude may not be a face on every movie poster, but the big, brainy and beautiful lady is one of the beloved actresses of the Nollywood movie industry.

Hardworking and caring, the Anambra State-born entertainer and trained nurse, who was a year older recently, has put in close to 18 years as an entertainer, and she is still counting.

Although she recently zoomed off to work on her pet project, the take off of the Purple Campaign, an awareness programme against violence, the amiable, friendly and easy-going actress, who observers say is good in what she is doing, hinted in this interview that she is ‘back to the turf for good.’

She also declared that she is in moviedom to play a long game.

First, congratulations on your birthday. Where have you been? You have been very scarce on the screen?
Well, I have been around somehow, though I kind of stayed off because of my pet projects. But am fully back now.

You know, when a mother gives birth to a new baby, she will have to breastfeed and nurture the baby till they can walk and stand on their own.

I started Purple Campaign in 2011 and it needed my time and dedication. We are starting another project about the blind this October and by December, we have Christmas Carol and Concert for the less privileged

But was it acting that you wanted to do as a child? What were you other career interests?
It was not acting; it was caring for people. I am a trained nurse. That has always been my passion. I never saw myself acting.

At a time, I thought I would be a musician, because I was a choir member from age 10.

Where are you originally from, where were you born and raised?
I am from Ogidi in Idemili North Council of Anambra State, but my mother is from Ekpoma in Edo State.

I was born in Surulere, Lagos. Went to Onward Nursery and Primary School, Lagos, finished at Community Central School, Ogidi and secondary school was at Girl’s Secondary School, Ogidi.

I was raised between Lagos and my hometown. I describe myself as daddy’s girl. We are five- two girls and three boys. We love ourselves so much. My siblings and I have a great bond that we pamper each other.

Growing up was a great experience that made me who I am today. I have no regrets for whatever I have been through, because I thank God it made me a better person.

At what point did it occur to you that you can act professionally and how did you get into Nollywood?
It never occurred to me, just that in church, I was in the drama group. I am a born Catholic and as a Legion of Mary member, we also have our meeting somewhere in Anjorin, which fortunately was the popular actor Nkem Owoh’s office.

Nkem saw the potential in me and he kept asking me to take up acting. So, on Good Friday in 1998, he gave me my first movie role, which was a one-scene role in Yogo Pampam and the rest, as they say is history.

In terms of numbers, I have done over 70 films, which include cameo roles, or what we also call wakapass roles.

But I find my role in films, like Mr. Ibu, Not Man Enough, Twisted, Surprises, Mental Case, Prostitute, Vuga, Above Death, Oduduwa, Political Control, Indecent Girls, Love Temple, and most recently a job that just gave me an award in London, Murder in Law and a few television soaps, like Treasures, Crossed Road and so on as my most memorable.

But I liked my role in Mental Case, because I was a mad woman and a wicked step-mum. It was something I didn’t believe I could do then.

The other one is Prostitutes, because after the job, a woman attacked me in my choir in the church, who admonished me that as a choir member, I shouldn’t be seen doing such.

My reverend father had to make her understand that it is a job I had to do to preach to society about the ills of prostitution.

No doubt, you are in the limelight. What do you consider the pains and gains of being in the limelight and who are your career role models? 

I think it is just that people have refused to separate your personal life from who they see on screen. A lot of people still judge you by who they see or read.

As for gains, it sincerely opens doors of favour and opportunity.

As for my role models, Joke Silvia, Clarion Chukwura, Eucharia Anunobi, Vivian Metchie and a few others.

But recently, I respect everyone’s talent and appreciate them.

You are on the plus side. Does it add or take anything away from your being a top player on the industry?
Yes, it does, especially when most of what those on the plus size are cast to do is to play comic roles and so on.

But I love me and my voice is thingy. I know I have a small voice and a big frame, but imagine when I will be asked to play Grace Ama’s mum, because of my size.

But Grace is my friend naturally and we are in same age bracket, but heeeey, that is Naija for you.

When will wedding bell ring and what is your idea of an ideal man?
Well, wedding bell would ring out loud when God say it is time.

As for my ideal man, it would be a man who can love me for my flaws, always willing to forgive and let go. That is my ideal man.

Any regret being an entertainer and what advice for young girls who want a career in moviemaking?
I have no regret and I have never contemplated quitting entertainment. If I chose this over all the courses I have read and still reading, then there is no regret.

And as for my advice for young girls, it will be for them to be patient, because what will be will be. They shouldn’t cave into any pressure to cut corners at all.