Legendary Nollywood actress, Patience Ozokwo, popularly known as Mama G, has taken a nostalgic trip down memory lane, recalling how her acting journey began with a modest ₦2,000 pay, an amount that once felt like a fortune to her.
Ozokwo shared the heartwarming story during a livestream chat with content creator Carter Efe, revealing that she received just ₦2,000 for her first movie role.
According to the veteran actress, her earnings gradually increased as more acting opportunities came her way. But it was the day she received ₦15,000 for a movie role that she truly felt she had “made it.”
The actress said the payment sent her into such excitement that she almost threw a party to celebrate the milestone.
Beyond the money, however, Ozokwo said her acting career also gave her a platform to address issues she considers important in society. She explained that some of the roles she became famous for, including the wicked mother, troublesome mother-in-law, and witch, were, in her view, opportunities to create awareness about good and evil.
Speaking particularly about her numerous witch roles, Mama G said they enabled her to portray the consequences of evil and expose what she described as the dangers of injustice and wickedness in society.
She said she has always disliked injustice, war and rancour, adding that she deliberately brought that passion into the characters she played.
“I think God gave me that niche. I hate every ill because I don’t like injustice, war, and rancour. When you give me those roles, I try to bring everything into them,” she said.
Ozokwo added that such roles were also intended to remind audiences that actions have consequences and that people should think carefully about the kind of life they choose to live.
“If you are taking part in any of them, you have to be careful and know the end thereof. Know what will happen to you if you live a terrible life, and know what you will gain if you are a good person,” she explained.
From a ₦2,000 debut to becoming one of Nollywood’s most recognisable faces, Mama G’s story offers a glimpse into the humble beginnings behind one of the industry’s most enduring acting careers.
