Stephanie Okereke Hououred with African Goodwill Awards in US. Los Angeles

Stephanie Okereke clinches African Goodwill Awards in Los Angeles
Award honoured from the African Jewel Award at the 6th annual African Goodwill Awards, May, 2009 in US. Okereke received the plaque for her positive representation of African women through her inspiring works and evolving movie career.

The flag of Nollywood, arguably the pride of Africa and darling of Nigerian movie buffs, was further hoisted higher recently when leading actress Stephanie Okereke was honoured with the African Jewel Award at the 6th annual African Goodwill Awards, US. Okereke received the plaque for her positive representation of African women through her inspiring works and evolving movie career. Celebrities including the legendary singer Chaka Khan, actor Isaiah Washington, comedian and actress M’onique, iconic soloist Hope Foye, apostle Frederick Price and Dr. Deborah Hyde, all attended the colourful event.

It would be recalled that delectable Okereke came into the Nollywood scene in 1997 as a student of the University of Calabar. After graduating, her thirst for an acting career propelled her into Nollywood fulltime. She made her mark with the movie Emotional Crack, which premiered at the African Film festival in April 2004. With over 90 films to her name, Okereke is continually building her brand in the movie industry. A recent graduate of the New York Film Academy, she has also expanded her title to include that of a director, producer and a writer with the introduction of her latest movie: Through the Glass. It premiered at the Silver Screen Theatre of the Pacific Design Centre on October 18,2008, in Hollywood, California amid glitz and razzmatazz. Constantly setting her eyes on Hollywood and the global film stage, Okereke is truly a Nollywood heroine. The African Goodwill Awards ceremony celebrates the greatest quality of mankind and the inherent human spirit of giving. The event showcases the challenges and accomplishments of these men and women whose commitment in great measure have given hope to the poor in Africa, the Caribbean and American inner cities. The event also celebrates achievements in community service. Okereke’s international recognition is only the beginning of her goals for her brand, her passions and her country. Hollywood actress, Stephanie Okereke landed her first acting roles in the 1997 movies Compromise and Waterloo. Over the years, the Imo State-born actress has grown to become one of Nigeria’s foremost actresses, having featured in over a hundred movies.She got her big break in 2003 in the movie Emotional Crack, which earned her two awards (out of eight nominations) at the Reel Awards for the Best Actress, English and Actress of The Year. The following year, Emotional Crack premiered at the African Film Festival in the United States.

This opened the door to many opportunities for the actress. As a result, Hollywood came calling in 2005 and the beautiful actress auditioned for a role in The Good Shepherd which featured Robert DeNiro, but an unfortunate car accident on her way to the AMAA awards in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State hindered her chances of appearing in the film. Ups & DownsThe actress, who is also a model, was the second runner-up in the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria contest in 2002, which was won by Chineye Akinlade nee Ochuba.

Despite the fame, the English and Literary Studies graduate of the University of Calabar has had her own fair share of problems and scandals.In 2007, the leggy actress called it quits with her husband of two years, Chikelue Iloenyosi, a former player with the Nigerian National football team, who nursed her after her 2005 accident. Okereke was able to bounce back after the incident and she landed a role in the MNET sponsored series, Snitch, shot in South Africa in 2006. She played a Nigerian undercover agent in the series.



Taking Control
Having trained at the New York Film Academy, the talented actress cut her teeth as a director, scriptwriter and producer last year with the movie Through the Glass. The movie, shot in the US, featured a Nigerian and American cast. During the movie premiere last year, it was a double celebration for the Nollywood star as she also received an Award of Recognition from the California Legislature Assembly and launched her clothing line "The SO Collection."
With several awards in her kitty, Stephanie Okereke is one actress, who is set to leave a lasting impression on Nollywood and beyond.