By Balogun Kamilu Lekan
Biography
Kenneth Okonkwo is an actor, movie producer, director, politician and legal practitioner.
He was born on November 6th 1968, in Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria, to Mr Ozioko Francis Okonkwo and Mrs Beatrice Okonkwo.
Kenneth is undoubtedly one of Nigeria’s most influential actors. He has been featured in more than 200 movies.
Education
After his elementary and secondary education, Kenneth headed to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he bagged a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration.
He later proceeded to the University of Lago for a master’s degree in International Law and Diplomacy. He was then called to the Nigerian bar afterwards.
Kenneth also has a certificate in Theology at the Nigerian Bible School and was trained as a bible scholar and Minister of God.
Career
Kenneth started his career as an actor in 1991. After attending several auditions, he got his opportunity to feature in his first big project, “Living in Bondage”, which brought him to prominence.
He has since appeared in numerous other movies, making him a household name. Arguably, he is one of Nigeria’s most talented and versatile actors.
His featured movies include Living in Bondage, Ripple, Dumebi, Silent King, World Apart, Helplessly in Love with My Wife, Royal Secret, Billionaires Club, The Power of Money, and Husband Material, amongst others.
Kenneth has had the privilege of sharing the big screen with several other top Nollywood actors like Patience Ozokwor, Mercy Johnson, Olu Jacobs, Pete Edochie, Tonto Dikeh, Stephanie Linus, Ramsey Noah, Norbert Young, Monalisa Chinda, Van Vicker, Ashley Nwosu, Enebeli Elebuwa, Nkem Owoh, Chioma Okpotha, Omoni Oboli, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, and Uche Jumbo, among others.
He started his political career in 2014 when he contested for the House of Representatives member seat to represent Nsukka/Igboeze South Federal Constituency under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
He later expressed his desire to run for the gubernatorial seat of Enugu State under the All People’s Congress (APC) in 2019.
In 2022, Kenneth decamped to the Labour party to show his displeasure to the All Progressive Congress for presenting a Muslim presidential and vice presidential candidate for the 2023 general election.
Marriage
Kenneth married Ogechi Ezekiel before they divorced in 2002 due to an unresolved misunderstanding.
He later married Ifeoma Okonkwo in 2017, and they have a son together.
Net worth
Kenneth is reportedly one of the wealthiest Nollywood actors, with a net worth valued at $5 million, However, NewsWireNgr cannot independently verify it.
Achievements
Kenneth Okonkwo is a recipient of a national award, the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR)
Kenneth Okonkwo has received numerous accolades, including Best Actor in Nigeria at the Africa Movie Academy Awards, Most Prominent Actor in Nigeria at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, and Best Actor in a Leading Role at the City People Entertainment Awards.
Filmography
- Living in Bondage
- The British Expert
- iBelieve
- Wives On Strike: The Revolution
- 16th Anniversary
- Wives on Strike
- Amanda my Village Wife
- 41Love
- Heart of a Saint
- Just in Case
- Heart of a Widow
- Royal King
- Weeping Soul
- King of Kings
- Final Tussle
- Kingdom of Men
- The Return of Ogidi
- 666 (Beware the End Is at Hand)
- African Soldier
- Divine Grace
- Greatness
- Sins of the Heart
- The Last Tradition
- The Revelation
- The Signs of End Time
- The Trinity
- Titanic Tussle
- Trumpet of Death
- Village Destroyers
- Across the River
- 52. Angel in Hell 2006
- Explosion: Now or Never
- My Promise
- Sacred Blood
- The Biggest Boy in Town
- The Devil in Her
- The Golden Fish
- The Hard Solution
- End of Money
- Windfall
- A Million Madness
- Beyond Reason
- Government House
- Inheritance
- My Desire
- Treasure
- World Apart
- Naomi
- To Love a Thief
- Holy Ghost Fire
- The Suitors
- Oganigwe
- Living in Bondage
Controversy
Kenneth resigned as a member of the ruling party, All Progressive Congress (APC) membership over its Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket for the 2023 general election.
He said resigned his membership in the interest of equity, justice, fairness and peaceful co-existence among Nigerians.
Kenneth announced on his official Instagram page that APC’s Muslim-Muslim ticket would permanently destroy the political viability of Christians in the north of Nigeria if allowed to stand.
He said: “These ideals are now alien to the APC, with their unfortunate decision to paint our Muslim brothers in lousy light by insinuating that the Muslims in Nigeria will not accept or vote for a Northern Christian as Vice-President to pair with a Southern Muslim. If Muslims could vote voluntarily for Southern Christian Presidents, it is a fallacy to insinuate that they cannot accept Northern Christian Vice-President.
Disclaimer
The information in this article was curated from online sources. NewsWireNGR or its editorial team cannot independently verify all details.
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