Veteran Nollywood actress Patience Ozokwor, popularly known as Mama G, has described her frequent portrayal of witches, wicked women and other antagonistic characters in Nollywood movies as a divinely assigned calling.
The actress made the revelation during a live-streamed interview with content creator Carter Efe, where she addressed questions surrounding her recurring roles as villains in Nigerian films.
Ozokwor explained that she believes God gave her a particular niche in the movie industry, despite her personal dislike for wickedness, injustice, war and conflict.
“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.
According to the actress, actors who take on such roles must understand the consequences of the characters’ actions and the lessons being conveyed through the storyline.
“If you are taking part in any of them, you have to be careful and know the end thereof, for the end justifies the means. 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.
Ozokwor said her performances were deliberately crafted to highlight the consequences of bad behaviour and encourage viewers to reflect on their actions.
She described her portrayal of villains as more than entertainment, explaining that such characters could serve as a form of social instruction by using storytelling to teach audiences about the consequences of good and bad choices.
BACKSTORY:
Patience Ozokwor is one of Nollywood’s most recognisable veteran actresses, having built a reputation over the years for portraying strong and memorable characters. She became particularly associated with roles involving wicked mothers-in-law, witches, antagonists and other difficult characters, which often made her a familiar face in Nigerian home videos and films.
Her portrayal of such characters has contributed to her popularity, with audiences often associating her screen persona with villainous roles despite her versatility as an actress.
In recent years, Ozokwor has spoken about different aspects of her career and personal life, including her faith and the lessons she believes can be conveyed through acting. Her latest comments provide an explanation for why she repeatedly accepted roles that portrayed characters involved in wickedness and conflict.
