actress Patient Ozokwor has narrated how her fans imposed the title ‘Liz Benson of Enugu’ on her and wanted her to accept it.
Patience Ozokwor, otherwise known as Mama G, or G for General, is a renowned Nigerian Nollywood actress, a television personality, fashion designer, and a musician.
She has appeared in Nollywood films for over three decades. She is also the recipient of multiple accolades, including the Best Supporting Actress 2012 & 2013 award at the 10th Africa Movie Academy Awards. She is mostly known for her portrayal of wicked mother-in-law roles in most of the movies she has starred in.
The actress said that when she first started her acting career, some attempted to compare her to the renowned actress Liz Benson by labeling her as “Liz Benson of Enugu,” but she turned down the comparison because she thought both women were distinct.
Patient Ozokwor made this revelation during an interview with Nwafo TV.
“I don’t know how it started, all I know was that when I started [my acting career] and people started recognising this woman from Enugu.
“So, there was a time I came to Lagos for a shoot and people started saying, ‘That’s her, this woman from Enugu.’ They said, ‘You’re the Liz Benson’ of Enugu.’
“I said, ‘No, with all due respect, I don’t want to be like Liz Benson, I want to be myself. I am Patience Ozokwor of Enugu’,” she recalled.
She added: “And some people came and said, ‘You don’t even need to answer Patience Ozokwor again. Answer your husband’s first name Edmund; Patience Edmund.’
“I said, ‘No, because in Igbo land you’re not just married by one man, you’re married by a family. I don’t know about other tribes.
“So my husband’s people, their name is Ozokwor. When you mention Ozokwor in any part of this world, people who know the Ozokwors would say ‘I know where she comes from’.”
The renowned actress was born in Amaobo village, Ngwo, Enugu State, Nigeria. She is a Nigerian national of African heritage. Patience belongs to the Igbo tribe and is a Christian.
