Here are a few Nollywood actors who have had a very fair share of fast superstar lifestyles, and today profess to live for Christ.
Eucheria Anunobi
Probably, the most publicised conversion to Christ is that of Eucheria Anunobi. The actress fondly called UK by her friends has been the subject of various controversies and scandals, topmost of which bordered around her relationships, broken marriage and eventually her demand for her ex-husband to keep providing for the only son of their union, whom she has in her custody.
After many years of being in the news for all the wrong reasons, many were surprised when she announced she had given her life to Christ. Few months after the news broke, UK was ordained at the Fresh Oil Ministry, Egbeda, Lagos, as an evangelist.
The ordination was performed by Pastor Psalm Okpe, who anointed the top Nollywood actress, accompanied by other men of God. Some of her close colleagues like Susan Peters and Clarion Chukwurah were on hand to support their friend during the ceremony.
With her ordination, Eucharia can fully preach as a pastor. In fact, it is said that she already counsels youths in the church. This, however, has not taken away some of the traits that made her fans term her “a bad girl” before now. UK is still flashy. Just weeks after the ordination, she got a BMW X5. It is not clear if it’s a gift or a personal purchase.
UK has, however, vowed to use her fame to win souls for Christ. She also assured her teeming fans that she would not abandon her acting career, pointing out that she would be choosier in accepting roles in movies.
Ernest Asuzu
Do you remember Ernest Asuzu? The Imo State-born actor was the toast of movie lovers some years ago. He took on the role of the lover boy with great skills, and was indeed the ladies’ man in real life. But not long after, he disappeared from the radar. Before his withdrawal from the movie scene he was engulfed in scandals and controversies, which got him negative media attention.
During his hiatus, it was rumoured that he was down with mental illness while some even said he was dead. However, he resurfaced with a turn-around in more ways than one. In a chat, he told some reporters that the world rejected him, and he had to go back to Christ.
With this discovery, he underwent a period of rebranding and soul-searching, coming out strong as a gospel artiste. He now calls himself El Cream. With his new musical identity, he has released a music video for his single, ‘Go Under’. The new single is coming off his forthcoming album, Return of the Don.
Rita Nzelu
Not much has been heard much from this popular 90s actress for some time. Now, we hear that the former actress, who has been in the UK for over 10 years, has become a born-again Christian and has been ordained an evangelist in a UK-based Nigerian church. She is said to be very active in church, as she keeps posting invitation to churches on her social media handle.
She still acts in Nigerian movies shot in London.
Kanayo O. Kanayo
Veteran Nollywood actor, Anayo Modestus Onyekwere, popularly known as Kanayo.O.Kanayo, is now a pastor. He has been preaching in some churches in recent times. He is mostly seen teaching the word of God at Christ Mission Worldwide Church, Egbeda.
Though he does not preach there regularly, it is said that the number of church members has grown since the day he first preached there.
That is not the only church he has ministered in at. His face has also graced banners and posters of other churches’ programmes. This recent development comes as a shock to some of his friends and colleagues who know him well.
There are allegations of nefarious activities that go on in his Surulere office. The place is described by some of his colleagues as a magnet for young girls.
Pat Attah
Where is Pat Attah? From what we gather, the once-upon-a-dreadlock-turned clean cut actor has left his life in the country behind. Pat, currently, is based in Hamburg, Germany and has turned a preacher. Though he does not preach in churches, he is now very much a born-again.
Many knew him before he left the country to be close to the ladies and in love with the bottle. Today, reading his posts online, one would know things have changed in his life. Pat often uses social network sites including Facebook to deliver his sermon and messages to all who care to read.
Zack Orji
Actor, Zack Orji, has been ordained a full-time evangelist by Bishop Emma Isong of Christian Central Chapel International (CCCI). In fact, the veteran actor has engaged in various evangelical activities in Abuja, Nasarawa and Makurdi with the church.
Zack has hardly been linked to any scandal. Only close friends know that he goes to a bar in National Stadium in Lagos, where he usually takes a particular brand of drink. Zack Orji is married to Ngozi Orji and they have three children.
Liz Benson
Elizabeth Benson, popularly known as Liz Benson, began acting when she was just a kid. Her journey to stardom began when she appeared on the set of the popular television soap opera, Fortunes, in 1993. Liz Benson played the part of Mrs. Agnes Johnson in the soap, which ran for about two years on the Nigerian Television Authority network. After that, she acted in various TV series and many movies.
In 1994, her role in Glamour Girls, a very successful home video that focused prostitution as the theme, literally changed her fortunes.
The movie shot her into prominence and gradually she wormed her way into the heart of millions of Nigerian movie fans. As popularity came, so did media scrutiny. Several media reports linked her with different men and she was said to be dating some men in power.
However, after a quiet court ceremony in Abuja, she got married to a Bishop Great Emeya in 2009 at the Rainbow Christian Assembly in Warri, Delta State. She too was ordained an evangelist in the church.
Presently, she runs the church with her husband.
Peter Bunor
This veteran actor missed death by the whiskers last year. It took the intervention of the Delta State Government to keep him alive. The actor suffered a stroke that left him almost totally paralysed. Since he recovered, Peter has turned a new man.
In a chat with journalists, he said: “All I can say now is to thank God that I am alive. I have also given my life to Jesus Christ as you can see that I am now a pastor.”
The man is known to attend Winners Chapel.
Kenethe Nnebue
Living in Bondage is believed by some sectors to be the film that brought Nollywood to where it is today. The man behind the movie, Kenneth Nnebue, owns Nek Videos.
After two decades of making a success of that two-part Igbo language movie, the pioneer producer disappeared into thin air. The last time he was spotted at a Nollywood function, was in 2009, where he was among the special guests that attended that year’s BOBTV, Africa’s premiere film and television programmes expo, which held in Abuja.
From what we hear, Nnebue has retired to evangelism. Close friends say he is very active in his church.
#Daily Independent
