AZUH AMATUS
...where the stars bare it all
My priorities
-Nollywood actress, Adaora Ukoh
New generation actress and debutante clothier Adaora Ukoh, is brimming with ideas in this New Year.
In the next couple of weeks, Divas Dynasty, the new TV programme, she is poised to present would be making a debut on network stations. Aimed at celebrating the real and successful African woman, Ukoh is optimistic; the programme would further elevate and reposition her acting career.
Busty and very single, Ukoh, who joined Nollywood in ’97, is also ready with her clothing line in this New Year, and hopes to organize a nationwide fashion show to herald its formal launch.
Speaking with Daily Sun, in her first interview for the year, the Lawyer turned entertainer shared most of her plans and prospects, as well as other creative ventures that would be keeping her busy round the year.
Good to see you in this New Year, we would like to know most of your plans and ideas?
Thank so much my brother, I just returned from the East brimming with many laudable initiatives and ideas. However, two major things are on my shelf this 2009. First, is working on my TV show, Divas Dynasty, it is aimed at celebrating real successful women. It would also serve as medium to encourage the younger generation to work harder in their chosen careers. It is hitting the airwaves soon. Second, is my clothing label, Couture De’ Adaora. It is basically a new clothing line for women who are not only big, but also plus sized women that are extremely confident of themselves and what they wear.
We would also like to know more about Diva’s Dynasty?
It may further interest you to know that Diva’s Dynasty, is a production of Citi Vendors Integrated Services, with head office in London. It’s a programme that celebrates women and their positive achievements. It will also tell their stories, challenges, trials and triumphs, thus placing them side by side with their male counterparts. The programme would also inspire, strengthen and empower the African woman. It will also have a humanitarian side by being ready to work with several NGO’s towards the empowerment of less privileged women in our society. Ngozi Kanu, is the producer and we have a very dedicated team on ground.
What are the new ideas you think would differentiate this programme from others currently running on air?
Several unique concepts would definitely separate us from the maddening crowd. We are also out to help most females already drowning in the pool of prostitution and other dirty acts. This and many more, which we would provide periodically, will stand us out from the crowd.
So far, how has it been combining acting with Law?
I’m okay with both, though; I have not started practicing Law, but don’t think I
will dump one for the other. Maybe, in the nearest
future, I intend going into entertainment law, so that
I can help protect the intellectual works of my
colleagues and even mine too.
Aren’t you perturbed about your single status, in this New Year?
Why would I be? Besides, I’m not absolutely single,
currently seeing someone and we are already talking
marriage gradually. By His grace, I’m walking down the
aisle this 2009.
Do men still stare at your sexy figure and boobs?
Yeah! They still do that a lot, even in this New Year.
You are a fashionable actress, what defines your style
and dress sense?
For me, the style defines the woman in you and stands
you out. And whatever I put on depends on my mood and
where I’m going at a particular time.
What are the idiosyncrasies that will change about you this 2009?
Let me answer that question first, by describing
myself. Adaora Ukoh, is an easygoing person and very hardworking too, full of ideas and ready to move on with her life. Maybe, the things that did not favour me last year, I will do away with them this 2009. And please do not ask me, because they are very personal to me.
So, how does if feel like to be back in Nollywood this New Year?
Well, it feels real good to be back
among my colleagues this 2009. It is good to be an actress in Nollywood too.
But your parents kicked against your going into acting
then?
My late dad didn’t really like it but my mum was just
indifferent, she had no reservations about it. Dad
wanted me out, but then I just had to keep keeping on,
especially on what you want and not what people want
for you. But I’m happy that before his demise he
actually allowed me to be.
Why not tell us a bit about your love life this 2009?
I don’t want to talk about my affair in public. I
don’t think he would like me going public with our
romance on the pages of newspapers.
What strategies have you devised to use in coping with Nigerian men, especially the ones
that want to date you, in this New Year?
I must not tell you my secret; it’s a personal thing. No
doubt about the fact that they will keep disturbing me, but
every man has the right to woo a girl. Another factor
is your attitude towards men. Men woo me every now and
then. I’m used to it. Some of them are real while some
are spurious.
Looking back, do you feel bad about some of your past affairs?
No! I’ve never felt bad and won’t feel bad. I’m not
the first; neither will I be the last to fall out of a
relationship. Again over the years, I now have inner
eyes to identify and differentiate real people from
the fake ones. For me, no hard feelings for my broken
affairs, I’ve always advised my pals to let go any
relationship that do not favour them. Sisters should
always move on with their lives, no matter what
happens.
Do you still believe in love?
Yes, I do believe in love so much and very romantic.
When I see a romantic man it makes me very romantic.
Like I always tell my pals, a real man will bring out
the real you. And the relationship will only flow when
the two of you tango very well. Every relationship
needs commitment and communication.
Like how many movies do you intend featuring in this 2009?
For now, I cannot say, but I know its definitely going to be a very busy year for me. Mind you, nothing good comes easy, for
me, it started like a journey of a thousand miles,
which began with just one step. The attitude to life
that makes one a winner, is when you expect challenges
and know that you have chosen to overcome these
challenges. It makes you a better person. For me, a
challenge makes one a better person for the future,
how do you strive hard when you don’t go through them.
Aside acting and presenting, I will also dedicate time to my clothing line this year. I also do make-ups for my pals occasionally.
What other goals do you want to achieve this year and possibly in the not too distant future?
I’ve always prayed to God to make me the best in my
chosen careers. I see myself getting to the top of my
career in the nearest future and not coming down from
that top position till I leave the stage. I want to be
seen as a focused actress who has done so well for
herself and Nollywood. I want to be celebrated as an
artiste, lawyer, clothier and presenter globally.
Who are the great minds that have not stopped inspiring you?
On the foreign scene, I’m still down with Whoopi Goldberg
and Queen Latifat, I see a bit of me in her. I also
love Monique; they are there and representing even
with their weights. Coming home, I love Joke Silva and
Onyeka Onwenu, I look up to them a lot as role models
and source of inspirations.
Are there regrets to share with us?
Not really! I’ve learnt to love and accept myself the way I am. And what I choose to do, I did because I
wanted to do it. So, in essence, I’m always ready, to
face the consequences resulting from my actions.
If given the opportunity, what major thing would you
love to do for humanity, especially in this 2009?
Sincerely, I would love to change the face of Nigeria,
especially corruption and the suffering masses whose
faces I see around me everyday. I also want to help
the destitute, we should heal this country and empower
the youths, we are the future whether the leaders like
it or not. Change is the new face of the world and Nigeria must embrace it now.
Do you see Nollywood embracing this change?
Nollywood is growing and has done well for itself and
the practitioners. It is a fast growing industry that
is making Nigeria proud globally and has also imbibed and embraced the culture of change.
You must have taken several bold steps in your
youthful life, which among them would you say remains the
boldest?
For me, the boldest step was standing firm and going
back to the university to fulfill my dad’s wish to
read Law. He was already dead when I got an admission
to read Law. My ambition as a kid was to read Banking
and Finance, but my dad wanted Law. So, I’m happy
reading his dream course, but very sad that he was not
around to see me graduate. I’m glad he made me read
Law despite my stubbornness. I know that he would be
happy and fulfilled with me wherever he is now.
Editors note - We serve you the first in a series of interesting interviews with celebrities. Watch this space every weekend!!! This was earlier published in The Sun Newspapers, Lagos, Nigeria.
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