Delectable Oge Okoye is one of the very few young rising figures in the Nigerian movie culture who got it right. What has kept her shining on the acting runway has been her unwavering determination to reach the top rung. Current industry ratings place her as one of the most sought after actresses in the Nigerian home movie sector.
Oge was born in London to the Late Mazi Okoye and Lolo Okoye, both devout Anglicans. It was from them that Oge imbibed the virtues of honesty, sincerity, courage and fear of God. A native of Nnewi in Anambra State, Oge, who was born under the star sign Scorpio, had her early education partly in London, at the University Primary School Enugu and at the Holy Rosary College, Enugu. Oge gained admission into the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Akwa, Anambra State where she graduated four years later with a degree in Theatre Arts. It was during Oge’s first year in the University at Akwa that the inspiration to become an actress heightened.
“I started acting when I was in the university precisely in my first year in school. That was when I did One Dollar after which I did Spanner and then Sister Mary.
“I really wanted to act but I didn’t really know how to go about it. I had friends who told me that I had to go for audition and all that and I went for one and I was lucky to have been given a role. It was a sub lead. After the shoot, I was encouraged by the comments from the director and the producer who predicted that I would go far once I put my mind to it and work hard. After that movie, I started receiving offers. I am sure I handled my role in my debut performance well, because if I didn’t do it very well, I don’t think anyone would have called me up for another job.”
But even as Oge was itching to be an actress, Daddy felt that she would be better off as a doctor. He had prepared her mind towards becoming a surgeon so she could save lives. “My dad is the strict type. You can’t mess around with him. He really had a set opinion about acting because of the negative image actors portrayed then. It’s really sad that he is not here to see the height I have attained so far. He died as soon as I started acting full time but he knew that my dream was to act.
“My mummy, who currently resides in Spain, also knew that I wanted to be an actress. She had no objection whatsoever. And really, my mum has always been with me. She has always been on my side to push me to any level I want to get to. I am like the only child of my parents, so all the pampering has been there. I mean she is not surprised at all about what I am doing. She has heard and read of my exploits and she is happy with me.”
After One Dollar, producers sought and engaged her. They all seemed to be in agreement that Oge was a good centre to hang a story on. Today Oge has featured in over 50 movies with a dozen others at various stages of postproduction.
Asked to name her role models, Oge says that they are legion. But she lists the Hollywood actress Julia Roberts, Nigeria’s Taiwo Ajai Lycett, Liz Benson and the veteran actor ‘Uncle’ Olu Jacobs as actors that have had tremendous influence on her. She adds: “I love Uncle Olu Jacobs. He is like a father to me. He talks to me from time to time on how to be better.
“I recall that one thing that he told me that has sort of guided me is the fact that I must never strive to be like anyone but myself. That’s my word for anyone who wants to come into the industry.”
Oge loves casual wear because they give her freedom of movement.
“As for perfume, I go for designers like Angels and Obsession. For jewellery I prefer gold. I hardly put on gels because I am prone to burns on my neckline. I am not too much into make-up. I only make up when I am on set. And as for food, I like Semovita and Edikaikang. As for music, I love rhythm and blues. I like to listen to Tuface Idibia and Lagbaja.”
When not on set, Oge spends time reading, watching movies, “catching some rest and just chilling out with some of my friends and relations”. Asked where she would want to be five years from now, Oge quips, “Hollywood.” (Naijarules adapted)
