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Tag: Stephanie Okereke’

  • Discovering myself early opened doors, says Stephanie Okereke

    Discovering myself early opened doors, says Stephanie Okereke

    Celebrated Nollywood actor cum producer, Stephanie Okereke-Linus, has revealed that discovering her talent at an early age, has helped her attain her present status.

    Having produced hit movies and won many awards, the mother of one, in a recent interview with humanfox.com spoke on the challenges of being an actor and how she was able to scale through hurdles.

    “It’s the zeal that matters and nothing else. It’s your passion for something that pushes you to do the things you want to. I honestly think I got lucky because I had the luxury of discovering my passion at a very young age. I wasn’t certain where exactly I wanted to be but, television is definitely where I wanted to start my career.

    “After finishing secondary school, I got myself featured in one of the major productions and my career thereon rocketed. Point being, when there’s that much of passion inside of you, you don’t really care about obstacles; you just pursue what you were born to,” she added.

    The thespian recently had the privilege of speaking at a conference on violence against women in politics, held in New York.

    Present at the conference were Canadian First Lady Sophie Trudeau, Madeleine K Albright (former U.S Secretary of State), Shari Bryan, Gale Rigobert, Leader of opposition, deputy leader of United workers Party, Saint Lucia & Ene Ede (Gender Advisor Search for Common Ground) and Caroline Hubbard, Senior Program Manager Gender women and Democracy NDI DC.

  • Stephanie Okereke becomes women’s anti violence ambassador

    Stephanie Okereke becomes women’s anti violence ambassador

    Star actress and producer, Stephanie Okereke-Linus was recently named ambassador for the Fight Against Violence on Women in Elections (VAWIE).

    The actresss, while accepting the honor at the Abuja venue of the event said, “I pledge my full support, my voice and everything within my capacity to make sure that these issues are brought to light and to help educate people about this violence and see ways we can put an end to it so that we can have a better society for ourselves, and future generation.”

    The award was given by the NDI, and USAID, in recognition of her interest in feminine gender issues, especially in her movies, some of which tackle a host of feminine problems like, domestic abuse, Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF), and so on.

    Although the expectant thespian is heavy with her first child, this has not slowed the hard working lady one bit.

  • Stephanie Okereke begins TV show

    Stephanie Okereke begins TV show

    NOLLYWOOD actress and producer, Stephanie Okereke-Linus much awaited reality show Make Me Fabulous, hit satellite TV screen last Sunday, May 24, on DSTV’s Africa Magic Showcase, Channel 151.

    The love series started with the story of Ifeoma Tunde-Asolo who submitted a touching entry, which earned them a surprise visit by Stephanie and her team.

    The rewards for the couple include an all-expense paid night at the Intercontinental Hotel, TM Lewin suit for the husband, and a complete makeover for the wife. They also received gifts, which included a N50, 000 gift card from Mango to the wife, a Swatch wristwatch for both, LCD TV and two branded shirts.

    The series which premieres with 13 episodes is set to see appealing transformations and a once-in-a-lifetime lavish and luxurious retreat, as couples set on a journey that will ignite new meaning into their relationships.

    Make Me Fabulous challenges the norm by addressing the issues of marriage, albeit aesthetic, that might affect everything else. It is 30 minutes of rekindling love with the help of beauty experts.

    According to the actress, the new project is to help couple have in mind the vows they took during their courtship.  “I wanted to create an experience that would remind married couples of what they once vowed to- that love always resides within if they just stop and pay attention. Giving couples a chance to connect without distractions, so that they can remember why they fell in love in the first place. This is a show that keeps giving, to ensure that love stays at the epic centre of a family. I want love to win in people’s lives, so I am giving it the attention it deserves,” she said.

  • Stephanie Okereke speaks on brother’s rape allegation

    Stephanie Okereke speaks on brother’s rape allegation

    Actress Stephanie Okereke-Linus has finally spoken out after the arrest of her brother, Daniel Okereke, who raped a student of the University of Lagos.

    The actress is asking that her name and photographs be removed from all stories relating to the case.

    Read the statement below.

    “I am distraught and devastated to hear of the recent allegation of rape brought against a relative of mine, Daniel Okereke (my brother). While it is a very difficult time for me, and my family; I feel the need to make clear my position, lest there be any doubt. Rape is rape, regardless of who the face of the accused is. Indeed, the irony is not lost on me. I have spent my lifelong career advocating and living my conviction that women around the world should be able to live free of violence, sexual harassment or any form of abuse against their persons. This conviction led me to be involved in numerous initiatives combating violence against women in several countries including the U.S, Liberia and Sierra Leone. The conviction also led me to place much of my energy on my work with Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF), a passion that dates back to my time at the University of Calabar. As a student, I heard a story about young girls who had been forced into early marriage and were suffering the negative and embarrassing effects of VVF. The story stayed in my consciousness and drove me, for years, to seek ways to raise awareness on the condition; leading to my work with a team of dedicated doctors to carry out repair surgeries for VVF victims across the country; and my self-produced, soon to be released movie, ‘DRY.’ So, again, it is indeed heart breaking for me to receive and deal with news alleging a family member of mine is an alleged perpetrator of sexual violence against a woman. I am devastated. This case is now in Nigeria’s criminal justice system as the accused awaits arraignment. I have also encouraged and assured the alleged victim of my stance against rape and applaud her for her bravery to upset the culture of silence, in Nigeria; even as I accord deference and patiently wait for the criminal justice system to determine the guilt or innocence of my brother. For Nigerian press and blogs; I call on you to please report this case in an ethical manner. I am a married woman living my life. The alleged transgression of my relative does not make it mine. The focus should be the impact of rape on the alleged victim, and resources for other alleged victims, not me. Some members of the press and blogs have turned me into the accuser; using my name for sensational headlines and putting my images, exclusively, in their stories. This is a form of victimization of me as a woman; it’s unethical and extremely hurtful. I am not the alleged accused. I therefore please ask all bloggers and the media who have placed my pictures and name to this story to refrain from further using me to sensationalise this story. I thank my fans, and all well-wishers for your continued support and ask for your continued prayers. God bless.

  • 20 benefits from Stephanie Okereke’s VVF scheme

    20 benefits from Stephanie Okereke’s VVF scheme

    TREADING a rare path, Nollywood actress, Stephanie Linus, through her Foundation, has been carrying out repair surgeries on women with Vesico Vaginal Fistula, the recent beneficiaries being 20 women at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State.

    Called Stephanie Okereke’s Extended Hands Foundation, the gesture was with support from SNEPCo/NNPC, she said, is not about repair surgeries, but in spreading the word on the dangers of VVF.

    Prominent in communities where child marriages hold sway, VVF is a serious disability that can be experienced by women after childbirth. They are holes resulting from the breakdown in the tissue between the vaginal wall and the bladder or rectum caused by unrelieved obstructed labour. The consequence of such damage is a woman’s inability to control the flow of urine or faeces. It occurs more often in young women during childbirth, as their bodies are not yet mature for the process.

    Lending her helping hands, the actress said there is need to bring hope and restoration to the women who had been living with this condition for varying period of time, by letting them have the repair surgeries done at no cost to them and their families.

    The exercise kicked off in June, with a team of doctors carrying out repair surgeries these women whose lives had been adversely affected by this condition.

    Reports say, apart from the surgeries, the foundation also donated surgical equipment and electrical supplies to the hospital. In attendance was the Chief Medical Director of UCH Ibadan, Professor Temitope Alonge; Head of Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Professor Ayo Arowojodu and the Chief Medical Consultant, Department of Genitourinary and Urogynaecology Professor O. A. Ojengbede.

  • Stephanie Okereke backs Queen’s Young Leaders Awards campaign

    Stephanie Okereke backs Queen’s Young Leaders Awards campaign

    NOLLYWOOD star actress, Stephanie Okereke-Linus, has lent her weight to the Queen’s Young Leaders Awards campaign, a crusade established by The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust, in partnership with Comic Relief and The Royal Commonwealth Society.

    “The search is on right now in Nigeria to find the next Queen’s Young Leader.  It’s a really exciting opportunity,” the actress said.

    According to her, the campaign invites young Nigerian leaders to be recognised for their brilliance and community engagement.

    In July, 2014, Prince William and Prince Harry launched The Queen’s Young Leaders Awards, a programme aimed at identifying, celebrating and nurturing inspirational young people across the Commonwealth nations, who are making a difference in their communities.

    “Young people have the ideas, energy and talents to make a big difference in the communities, where they live and across the Commonwealth. However, they are rarely given the opportunities and resources to make their vision of the future a reality. The Queen’s Young Leaders programme has been created to help change this,” she explained.

    Winners will receive their awards from Her Majesty, The Queen, and will be rewarded with a bespoke package of mentoring, training and networking, which will help them realise their full potentials.

  • Stephanie Okereke’s Foundation treats 22 VVF victims

    Stephanie Okereke’s Foundation treats 22 VVF victims

    HAVING launched a personal campaign on the danger of Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) as a student of the University of Calabar, Nollywood star actress, Stephanie Okereke-Linus, has taken a step further by sponsoring the treatment of 22 women living with VVF in Ogoja, Cross River State through her foundation.

    Sponsored by SNEPCo/NNPC with support from some doctors and nurses at the General Hospital, Ogoja, the actress and her team from the Extended Hands Foundation, her charity organisation, were in Ogoja, as the doctors carried out repair surgeries on the 22 women.

    For two weeks, the actress was said to have stayed back in town, catering for other needs of the patients, as they were being nursed back to sound health.

    “There’s nothing like being in the theatre and seeing these doctors delicately restoring these women back to health and giving them another chance at living normal lives. The experience was life-changing and I’m really glad I could be a part of this,” said the actress.

    Aside from the surgeries, the foundation also donated surgical equipment and electrical supplies, which were presented to the hospital at an event attended by the Cross River State Commissioner for Social Welfare & Community Development, Barrister Patricia Endeley and the Director, Health, Population and Nutrition Office, USAID, Dr Nancy Lowenthal.

    Other people who were present were Dr. Joseph Monehine, Dr. Adamu of Engender Health and Dr Sa’ad Idris, the Chief Surgeon.

    “In our own little way, let’s help spread the word against child marriage and VVF, and ensure we live healthy lives,” she said.

    She recalled that she had heard about some young girls who were forced into early marriages only to later suffer the negative and embarrassing effects of VVF.

    According to her, “The encounter lingered in my memory until I began to seek ways to raise awareness on the condition. I embarked on a journey of research and visited several hospitals and VVF centres both within and outside Nigeria to interact with girls and women suffering from the condition and doctors who took care of them. I also partnered with NGOs in other African countries like Liberia and Sierra Leone,” she disclosed.

    She also explained that the visits, interactions and research conducted over some years provided the material for her self-produced movie, Dry.

    Dry, according to the actress, centres on two girls who found themselves in the same cultural trap, full of ignorance and cruelty.