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Okey Bakassi

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Okey Bakassi
Born
Okechukwu Anthony Onyegbule

23 October 1969
Imo state
NationalityNigerian
Other namesokey bakassi
CitizenshipNigerian
OccupationComedian
Known forA Night Of a Thousand Laughs
SpouseEzinne
Websitehttps://okeybakassi.com/

Okechukwu Anthony Onyegbule (pronunciationⓘ), popularly known as Okey Bakassi (pronunciationⓘ) (born 23 October 1969) in Imo state is a Nigerian stand-up comedian and actor.[1][2][3][4][5] In 2014, he won the "Best Actor in a Leading Role (Igbo)" category at the 2014 edition of the Best of Nollywood Awards for his role in the film Onye Ozi.[6][7]

Early life and education

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Born on October 23, 1969, Okey is the eldest of five children to Mr. Livinus Onyegbule, a retired military officer, and Mrs. Felicia Onyegbule, a retired nurse, in Mbaise.[8] He commenced his educational journey at Alvan Ikoku Demonstration School, obtaining his First School Leaving Certificate. He subsequently attended Mbaise Secondary School, Imo State, before transferring to Federal Government College, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he secured his West African Senior School Certificate.[9]

After secondary school, he secured admission into the Rivers State University , Port Harcourt, to study Agricultural Engineering. The program lasted five years, and he graduated in 1992.Upon completion of his studies, he was deployed to Lagos for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program and served at the Nigeria Industry Development Bank.[10]

Personal life

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Okey has been married to his wife, Ezinne, for 17years and together they have three children - two girls and a boy, Dera, Fechi and Cheta. His family stays in Canada where his wife completed her education and currently works.[11]

Career

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His passion for showbiz began at Federal Government College in Port Harcourt, where he would often crack jokes and leave his classmates and the entire school amused. However, it wasn't until he attended university that his interest truly took center stage. He joined a group called Theatre Colleagues, participating in stage plays and stand-up comedy sketches. Those were his early days, driven solely by a desire for creative expression and fun, rather than financial gain. [12] He remained in Lagos after his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), and met Zeb Ejiro a Director and Producer, who gave him his first TV role in 1993's 'Fortune.' He played Nick, a Johnsons' bodyguard, for 11 episodes before transitioning to the home video industry[13]

He produced and appeared in several films, including 'Final Decision' (1996) and 'All for Winnie' (1998). His career gained momentum in 2014 with 'Onye Ozi', directed by Obi Emelonye, earning him his first award, "Best Actor in a Leading Role (Igbo)" category at the 2014 edition of the Best of Nollywood Awards.[13] He has been featured in different movies and also has a recurring role in the comedy television show 'My Flat mate' produced and co-directed by his colleague Basketmouth.

Given his exploits with comedy during his school days made his venture into the stand-up comedy world easy. He made his stand-up comedy debut in 1995, when he collaborated with Opa Williams and Reginald Ebere on 'Nite of a Thousand Laughs,' a stand-up comedy show hosted in different part of Nigeria, launching his career.[14]

Okey hosts two shows: 'It's Okay with Okey' on Lagos Talks 91.3FM, a daily comedy program featuring Accapella and Senator Comedian, and 'The Other News' on Channels TV.

Political Career

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In 2012, he stepped away from the spotlight to focus on public service, serving as Senior Special Adviser on Entertainment Matters to the Governor Ikedi Ohakim of Imo State.[15]

Selected filmography

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  • Pam Pam (1997)
  • Yogo Pam Pam (1998)
  • Kiss me quick (1998) as Mambo
  • Hooligans (1999)
  • Drummer (2003)
  • Ngozi: Abeg Marry Us (2003)
  • 9 wives (2005) as Titus
  • Chicken Madness (2006)
  • Four forty (2006) as Dodo
  • Store keeper (2006)
  • Fools On Run (2007)
  • How Far? (2007)
  • I need a Husband (2007)
  • Onye Ozi (2013) as Metumaribe Onuigbo
  • My Flatmates (2017) as Oga Nduka
  • Badamasi (portrait of General) (2021) as Chief Arthur Nzeribe
  • Bank Alert (2023) as Sammy Okereke
  • Wives on strike: The uprising (2024)

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Egole, Anozie; Arenyeka, Laju (3 February 2013). "I'll always be a politician – Okey Bakassi". Vanguard Newspaper. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
  2. ^ Adegun, Aanu (5 December 2013). "Comedian Okey Bakassi, from grass to stardom". Newswatch Times. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
  3. ^ Okporu, Rachel (2021-02-23). "Actor Okey Bakassi laments bitterly about incessant bad news in Nigeria (Video)". Kemi Filani News. Retrieved 2022-03-12.
  4. ^ Silas, Don (2022-08-02). "2023: I don't want Atiku, Tinubu to fail - Okey Bakassi". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 2022-12-15.
  5. ^ Lawal, Khadijat (2022-08-03). "2023: Fixing Nigeria more important than money politicians offer me — Okey Bakassi". Daily Trust. Retrieved 2022-12-15.
  6. ^ Izuzu, Chidumga (17 October 2014). "Tope Tedela, Ivie Okujaye, 'Silence' Win Big". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
  7. ^ Oleniju, Segun (17 October 2014). "BON Awards 2014 Complete List Of Winners". 36NG. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
  8. ^ "I was close to living under the bridge at a point in my life â€" Okey Bakassi". News Express Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-10-25.
  9. ^ "Okey Bakassi biography, net worth, age, family, contact & picture". www.manpower.com.ng. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  10. ^ "I was close to living under the bridge at a point in my life â€" Okey Bakassi". News Express Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  11. ^ Reporters, Our (2021-11-05). "My marriage...with Okey Bakassi". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  12. ^ "I was close to living under the bridge at a point in my life â€" Okey Bakassi". News Express Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  13. ^ a b Benjamin, Njoku (April 29, 2023). "Okey Bakassi: My journey to stardom". Vanguard.
  14. ^ "Okey Bakassi biography, net worth, age, family, contact & picture". www.manpower.com.ng. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  15. ^ ANOZIE EGOLE & LAJU ARENYEKA (February 3, 2013). "I'll always be a politician – Okey bakassi". Vanguardngr.
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