1960 Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos hosts US-based Chinenye Okwudili-Balogun, who is set to unveil her first movie titled, All the Right Reasons, AKEEM LASISIwrites
Any place Chinenye Okwudili-Balogun finds herself, she has a way of making the artiste in her bear on the environment. It is a tradition that started when she was a child.
At foundation schools, including Dansol High School, Lagos, the actress/producer otherwise called Neye did this – acting, singing and doing more. She repeated the feat in churches and at the Lead City University, Ibadan, where she studied Law.
In 2005, she had a taste of stardom when her novel,Lonely Heart, won the Teenager of the Year Award. Her acting prowess was again recognised when she later featured in Arrested Intelligence, a soap opera and eventually made it into the MNet’s popular soap, Tinsel, cast.
After a steady rise, acting in films such as Sitanda,Mental Case, Blood Money and Ghost in Love, she ‘suddenly’ disappeared from the Nollywood scene when she travelled to the US. Now, the bird has come home to roost. The lady that travelled as an actress is returning as a producer, with her first film, titled All the Right Reasons.
The CEO of the Orlando, Florida-based TFC Productions says the road has been rough but fruitful for her.
She says, “My journey into the creative industry started from my early years in life when I was seven years old. Then, I would gather my siblings and tell them folk tales, most of which I created. Soon, it grew to including other children in the neighbourhood to hear my stories. As I got into the high school, from my JSS 1, I began to write and compile my stories and distribute them to classmates and friends who cared to read.
“When I moved to Dansol, I became very popular because of my love for the arts. I was also very committed to the drama unit at the Redeemed Christian Church of God where I opened my own drama club known as ‘Stars’. I wrote numerous poems while in school and won several awards. I was a very active member of the drama department and ultimately represented the school in various competitions. I graduated from high school after winning awards and emerging as the best actress.”
She says she found a great friend and supporter in her husband, who is her manager.
Celebrating a woman riding through the ups and downs of marital life, All the Right Reasons stars Patience Ozokwor, Femi Jacobs and other international stars.
“God has been faithful! There is nothing as fulfilling as having your biggest fan, supporter, promoter and friend as your spouse. It makes it easier to fulfil your dreams and conquer the world. I give God all the glory. It’s only being by His Grace,” Neye adds.
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