"MaMa G,” as Patience Ozokwo as best known, hails from the Eastern region of Nigeria. She caught the bug for acting during her school years when she played the role of Hamlet in Shakespeare’s classic drama, “Hamlet” in an all girl’s school. “Hamlet” was received so well, Patience started traveling with the show.
Married at 19, Patience continued to seek an education and took teaching courses at a Women’s Training College. After receiving her teaching degree she taught for 4 years. Seeking something more in life, Mrs. Ozokwo left teaching to go into broadcasting where she was a radio announcer and newscaster. She worked at the station until it closed down. Undeterred, she went on to another broadcasting facility where she began to do radio dramas. She excelled. So successful was Patience in her career in radio drama she decided to give back to others. She opened a school to help young female school dropouts. She taught the girls hair and skin care. She was able to help these young ladies open their own businesses.
Ozokwo was so successful at aiding these young entrepreneurs the government sponsored her project. It was only a natural progression that her civic involvement would lead to a political appointment. She was the Assistant to the wife of the Mayor of the local government. She served in this political post for four years. As a result of her husband’s illness and later passing, Patience concentrated on her family while returning to school to learn graphic arts and mass communication for the next few years. In order to earn money she baked cakes and took on odd jobs. This was a hard period in her life as she struggled to maintain her family and household finances. Unfortunately, there was not enough money to continue school. Eventually, she was invited to do a commercial by a comedian who was impressed by Patience’s acting skills. As a result of the commercial, she was asked to do a soap opera entitled “Someone Cares,” a program about rural women, for the National Television Authority. Afterwards she began to audition for acting roles, at first small ones and then larger and larger roles, until her career was launched.
Ms. Ozokwo went on to star in movies playing wife and mother roles. She appeared in “Authority,” “Sins of the Father,” “Apology,” “Submission,” “One Dollar,” “Chicken Magic,” “Pride of a Woman,” “Women In Power,” “Woman of Authority,” “Mother-in-Law,” “Christian Mother,” “Christian Marriage,” and over 200 Nigerian films. So successful was her role as Mother General, MaMa G, in “Old School,” the public began to referring to her as MaMa G and thus gave birth to her stage name MaMa G decided to adopt children and so far has adopted 4 children in addition to her 4 biological children, expanding her brood to 8. It is obvious that MaMa G has a lot of love in her heart and a creative bent. Thus, she also includes a singing career among her talents. To date, MaMa G has 3 CDs on the market. Her first Cd “National Moi Moi,” became a popular hit. She went on to record cultural music via her second CD entitled “Ajadili.”
Her most recent musical offering “National Moi Moi Vol. 2” is a major hit in her homeland. MaMa G was at the Apollo on September 6th to support the Save Africa Concerts Foundation (SAC AIDS) honoring individuals who have served their community and have a deep commitment toward insuring the prevention, continual education and awareness of HIV/AIDS, nationally and internationally. Ms Ozokwo is an outspoken voice and advocate for HIV/AIDS education she is one of the spoke person for Save Africa Concerts Foundation. She received awards as an “African Role Model,” as well as for adopting children, and doing community service. Best actress in 2007 Award at Five continents Award.
Her Movie Deeper than Sex has been nominated for the 11th Annual African American Women in Cinema International Film Festival November 12 to 15 2008 with a special Movie Premier November 14 at the United Nations, Ms Ozokwo will be receiving the Nigerian National Honor in December as one of the Most influence shall and role model in the Nollywood Movie Industry. She recently won the Face of Nollywood and the Nollywood Ambassador 2008/2009 by Total Television and Studio.
