Osuofia at 70: Celebrating Nkem Owoh's enduring legacy

• Nollywood veteran actor Nkem Owoh celebrates his 70th birthday with heartfelt appreciation to God and his fans
• Popular as Osuofia, the thespian has had decades of impactful acting, becoming a household name in Nigeria and beyond
• In honour of the veteran actor, TheRadar profiles his life and times while highlighting his contributions to the Nigerian entertainment industry

In excitement and appreciation to God and the people surrounding him, Nollywood actor Nkem celebrated his 70th birthday, with lots of fans and well-wishers eagerly congratulating him for the new year. 

With a career spanning decades, Owoh has brought joy and entertainment to countless fans, earning him the reputation as a living legend.

From his early days as a scriptwriter to his iconic portrayal of Osuofia, Owoh's journey is true evidence of his talent, dedication, and perseverance. 

As Nigerian veteran, popularly known as Osuofia, marks a major milestone— his 70th birthday— TheRadar takes a trip down memory lane to profile the life and times of this beloved thespian 

Early beginnings and career

Nkem Owoh was born in Nigeria's Enugu State. He studied engineering at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, after finishing his elementary and secondary schooling in Nsukka. While attending college, Owoh started appearing in a number of TV shows and films. 

Owoh started out as a playwright before breaking into the entertainment business. But his breakthrough performance in the 1995 movie Ikuku was what really made him famous.

Written and produced by Owoh himself, Ikuku introduced the world to the lovable, yet eccentric character of Osuofia – a role that eventually became synonymous with his name.

Personal life

Owoh has been married to his wife, Ngozi Nkem Owoh, since 1998. The couple has two daughters, although Owoh has kept their identities private. Tragedy struck in June 2023 when Owoh lost one of his daughters.

Rise to fame

The success of Ikuku led to a sequel, Ikuku 2, in 1997, with Owoh reprising his role as the lovable drunkard. The same year, he produced Pampam, teaming up with fellow comedian Okey Bakassi. 

However, it was his appearance in Osuofia in London (2003) and its sequel Osuofia in London 2 (2004) that earned him international recognition and cemented his status as a household name.

Awards and accolades

Throughout his illustrious career, Owoh has received numerous awards and endorsements. In 2008, he won the Africa Movie Academy Award (AMAA) for "Best Actor in a Leading Role" for his outstanding performance in Stronger than Pain. 

In 2017, he was honoured with the AMAA Lifetime Achievement Award at the 13th edition of the ceremony. Owoh has also been a brand ambassador for MTN since 2012, signing a multimillion-naira endorsement deal that has been repeatedly renewed.

Owoh's controversies

Despite his success, Owoh has faced his fair share of challenges and controversies. In 2007, he was arrested in Amsterdam, Netherlands, as part of a crackdown on lottery fraud and immigration violations. Owoh was later released. 

In 2009, he was kidnapped in eastern Nigeria, with his kidnappers demanding a 15 million naira ransom. Owoh was eventually released after his family allegedly paid a ransom fee of 1.4 million naira.

Owoh has proven himself to be a true icon, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.

Nathaniel Bassey: Celebrating one of Nigeria's most respected gospel icons at 43

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier profiled popular gospel singer Nathaniel Bassey's personal life, education, music career and some his major milestones as he marked his 43rs birthday anniversary. 

The respected gospel artistes expressed gratitude for being alive and for surviving four decades and three years as he turned 43.