Kenneth Okonkwo (born 6 November 1968) is a Nigerian actor,[1] lawyer and politician,[2] known for his role in the movie Living in Bondage as Andy Okeke. He was born in Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria, to Ozioko Francis Okonkwo and Beatrice Okonkwo.[3]

Kenneth Okonkwo
Born (1968-11-06) 6 November 1968 (age 56)
Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.
NationalityNigerian
Other namesArinzechukwu
EducationUniversity of Nigeria Nsukka
Occupations
  • Actor
  • politician
Notable workLiving in Bondage
Political partyLabour Party
Spouses
Ogechi Ezekiel
(m. 2000; div. 2002)
Ifeoma Okonkwo
(m. 2007)
Awardsthe Africa Movie Academy Award on a Special Recognition of Pillars of Nollywood

Education

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Okonkwo's educational journey began with his primary education, followed by his first higher learning qualifications from St. Theresa College. He then attended the University of Nigeria, where he earned a degree in Business Administration and Law (LLB). Furthering his studies, he obtained a Master's degree in International Law and Diplomacy from the same institution, he also obtained a Doctorate degree from the Chartered Institute of Economics.[4][5]

In addition to his formal education, Okonkwo also pursued theological studies at the Nigerian Bible School, earning a certificate in Theology and training as a Bible scholar and Minister of God.[3]

Career

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In 2013, he won the Africa Movie Academy Award on a Special Recognition of Pillars of Nollywood.[6] In 2015, he was given a special recognition award by the organisers of the City People Entertainment Awards for his contribution to the growth of entertainment in Nigeria.[7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]

Personal Life

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He was first married to Ogechi Ezekiel, daughter of Pastor Ezekiel, General Overseer of Christian Pentecostal Mission International, in 2000. Their union was blessed with a son, Ifeanyi, but unfortunately ended in divorce two years later.

Okonkwo found love again and remarried Ifeoma, with whom he shares a son, Kenechukwu Isaac Chukwuchirimeze Okonkwo.[16]

Filmography

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s/n Movie Year Role
1. Ploy (Etan) 2021 Chibuike
2. Dear Affy[17] 2020 Additional Crew
3 Living in Bondage: Breaking Free 2019 Andy Okeke
4. The British Expert 2019 Harry
5. iBelieve 2018 Buchi
6. Wives On Strike: The Revolution 2017 Baba Ngozi
7. 16th Anniversary 2017 Jeffery
8. Wives on Strike 2016 Baba Ngozi
9. Amanda my Village Wife 2015 Chinemelum
10. 41Love 2015 Philip
11. Heart of a Saint 2012 Charles
12. Heart of a Saint 2 2012 Charles
13. Just in Case 2012 Alex
14 Heart of a Widow 2011 Nuel
15. Heart of a Widow 2 2011 Nuel
16. Royal King 2011
17. Royal King 2 2011
18. Weeping Soul 2011 Martins
19. Weeping Soul 2 2011 Martins
20. King of Kings 2009
21. King of Kings 2 2009
22. King of Kings 3 2009
23. Final Tussle 2008
24. Kingdom of Men 2008 Dike
25. Kingdom of Men 2 2008
26. The Return of Ogidi 2008 Ogidi
27 The Return of Ogidi 2 2008
28. 666 (Beware the End Is at Hand) 2007 Pastor Chucks
29. 666 (Beware the End Is at Hand) 2 2007
30. African Soldier 2007
31. African Soldier 2 2007
32. Divine Grace 2007 Bob
33. Divine Grace 2 2007
34. Greatness 2007
35. Greatness 2 2007
36 Sins of the Heart 2007
37. Sins of the Heart 2 2007
38. The Last Tradition 2007
39. The Last Tradition 2 2007
40 The Revelation 2007 George
41 The Revelation 2 2007 George
42. The Signs of End Time 2007 Pastor Chucks
43. The Signs of End Time 2 2007
44. The Trinity 2007
45. The Trinity 2 2007
46. Titanic Tussle 2007 Owolabi
47. Titanic Tussle 2 2007
48. Trumpet of Death 2007 Nwabueze
49. Trumpet of Death 2 2007 Nwabueze
50. Village Destroyers 2007 Nwabueze
51 Village Destroyers 2 2007 Nwabueze
52. Across the River 2006 Mike
53. Across the River 2 2006 Mike
54 Angel in Hell 2006 Ken
55. Angel in Hell 2 2006
56. Explosion: Now or Never 2006 Steve
57. Explosion 2: Now or Never 2006
58. Explosion 3: Now or Never 2006
59. My Promise 2006
60 My Promise 2 2006
61 Sacred Blood 2006 Fred
62 Sacred Blood 2 2006
62. The Biggest Boy in Town 2006
63. The Biggest Boy in Town 2 2006
64. The Devil in Her 2006
65. The Devil in Her 2 2006
66. The Golden Fish 2006 Ben
67. The Golden Fish 2 2006
68. The Hard Solution 2006
69. End of Money 1 & 2 2005 Charles
70. Windfall 1& 2 2005
71. A Million Madness 2004 Gentility
72. Beyond Reason 2004 Ben
73. Government House 1 & 2 2004
74. Inheritance 2004 Ogbonna
75. My Desire 1 & 2 2004
76. Treasure 1 & 2 2004
77. World Apart 1& 2 2004 Promise
78 Naomi 2003 Nduka
79. To Love a Thief 2003 Raymond
80. Holy Ghost Fire 2001 Daniel
81. The Suitors 2000
82. Oganigwe 1999 Prince Onyema
83. Arusi-Iyi 1998 Chief Danco
84. Living in Bondage 2 1993 Andy
85 Living in Bondage 1992 Andy

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Silas, Don (2021-10-03). "Veteran Nollywood actor, Kenneth Okonkwo warns ladies in search of life partners". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 2022-03-15.
  2. ^ Silas, Don (2022-08-24). "2023: Nollywood actor Kenneth Okonkwo defects to Labour Party, backs Peter Obi". Premium Times. Retrieved 2022-10-06.
  3. ^ a b Sub-editor (2022-10-13). "Kenneth Okonkwo: Biography, Education, Career, Marriages, Net Worth, Achievements and Controversy". NewsWireNGR. Retrieved 2024-10-24. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  4. ^ "Kenneth Okonkwo's Biography, Wife and Their Struggles To Have Children". 2022-09-11. Retrieved 2024-10-25.
  5. ^ BellaNaija.com (2016-09-28). "Nollywood actor Kenneth Okonkwo adds Another Feather to his Hat with a Doctorate Degree". BellaNaija. Retrieved 2024-10-25.
  6. ^ "Nollywood Domination! View the Full List of Winners at the African Movie Academy Awards 2013". BellaNaija. 2013-04-22. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
  7. ^ "Latest Nigerian Entertainment News & Updates". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
  8. ^ https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/05/reasons-controversial-letter-gov-ugwuanyi-kenneth-okonkwo/ - vanguard nigeria newspaper
  9. ^ "Leadership News - Nigeria News, Nigerian Newspaper, Breaking News and more". 2022-05-29. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
  10. ^ Ugwueze, Emmanuel (2017-04-07). "Attack on Ugwuanyi: You are agent of mischief - Kinsmen blast Nollywood actor, Kenneth Okonkwo". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
  11. ^ https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/05/actor-kenneth-okonkwo-zenith-ingratitude/ - vanguard nigeria newspaper
  12. ^ "Nigeriafilms". Nigeriafilms. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
  13. ^ http://www.informationng.com/2017/10/chiwetalu-agu-believes-qualified-run-affairs-nollywood.html - informationng.com
  14. ^ http://thenet.ng/2017/09/omoni-oboli-wives-on-strike-gets-a-release-date/ - thenet.ng
  15. ^ Thabit, Khadijah (2014-10-17). "Another Nollywood Actor Joins Politics, See Photos". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
  16. ^ Joe, Man (2023-09-13). "Kenneth Okonkwo Bio, Political Career, Acting and Net Worth". GistReel. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
  17. ^ "Kenneth Okonkwo | Actor, Producer, Writer". IMDb. Retrieved 2024-06-18.