by Wilfred Okiche

In the true tradition of the Nigerian movie, we have here a part two of our #WhereAreThey movie star series – and a trip down memory lane. To God be the glory.

Helen Ukpabio

The crusading evangelist was one of Nollywood’s most powerful figures. Call her passionate, call her crazed, call her whatever. Her gospel-themed movies focused on exposing witchcraft and proclaiming the power of God. ‘Married to a witch’ and ‘End of the wicked’ readily come to mind. They were predictable, they were similar but they were wildly popular. She went out of view after the accusation that she was encouraging parents to attack “witch children” in Calabar.

Ejike Asiegbu

We know he was once president of the actors guild but when last did he star in a movie? Really. Apart from a stint in last year’s little seen ‘Gossip nation’, not much has been heard of him on screen. He is more active playing the role of budding politician in his home state. Not that we blame him though, it certainly pays better.

Kanayo O Kanayo

Mr. KOK is more famous these days for his off the screen antics than for his stellar performances on screen. He may have an AMAA to his credit but he is more likely to be found engaging in one political endorsement or the other. How’s that working for ya, mate?

Hanks Anuku

This enfant terrible enjoyed a stint playing action star and bad ass chap. We soon tired of his recurring antics and he disappeared from our screens only to surface as an appointed aide to a serving governor. Thank God for small mercies.

Rita Nzelu

Rita was hot playing Ramsey Nouah’s lover turned sibling in the movie, ‘Blind Choice.’ She also starred in some slap stick comedies, proving her versatility. It did not matter though as she was soon to fall in love with her hubby and out of love with acting.

Grace Amah

The pint sized diva is still visible once in a while, but her fame is nowhere near the levels it could be. Between school duties and her personnal life, she has always been on the verge of a major breakthrough. Would she kindly leave the gossip pages of CityPeople and bring the drama on-screen?

Clem Ohameze

He may have been seen in ‘Ije’, Nollywood’s highest grossing movie, but even that is over a year old now. Not great for a man who used to headline major movies on a frequent basis.

Florence Onuma

She was Patience Ozokwor before Patience Ozokwor arrived. She played the motherly role to a hilt – covering every movie poster you could find, and excellently well if we could add. Oh, and there was a delicious stint as banking ‘madame’ on Hit the Streets. Sadly, she appears to have found herself outplayed by the likes of Patience Ozokwor and Chinwe Owoh.

Chinyere Wilfred

Ever since the ‘man-snatching’ scandal that played out a few years ago, Madam Wilfred has been MIA for some time now. We wonder what’s up.

Keppy Ekpeyong-Bassey

He made his name in the soap ‘Ripples’ and ventured into the movies. Fame and success followed and he became one of the biggest acts of the nineties. Only this ain’t the nineties.

Zack and Ngozi Orji

This husband and wife team had a steamy, hard to forget session in the costume drama, ‘Return to Kazondia’ and lit up the screens with their romance. But it seems the times have moved on and we prefer our stars younger and skinnier.

Pat Attah

This smooth talking, fresh faced lover boy spent the better part of his carrer romancing all the leading ladies Nollywood had to offer but then after a while, the roles seemed to dry up. Can he make a comeback still, now that there is a perceived shortage of romantic leads? We wonder.

Victor Osuagwu

This fire cracking motor mouth was tipped to dethrone Nkem Owoh from his perch as Nigeria’s biggest comic actor. After a while, it became obvious that wasn’t going to happen and he settled for a more subdued plan. Well, really, how many identical not-nearly-funny movies could he have continued to punish us with?

Ameze Imariagbe

If you remember oldies like ‘Flesh and blood’ and ‘Dead end’, then you remember Ameze Imariagbe. She was one of Nollywood’s pioneer leading ladies but disappeared at the height of her fame. It’s been such a long time – but we still love you Ameze, please come back!

So there you have it! Did we leave anyone out? Or you know where they are? Do share!