| Ufuoma Ejenobor | |
|---|---|
Ufuoma Ejenobor at a photo shoot in 2008 |
|
| Born | Ufuoma Stacey Ejenobor April 23, 1981 Benin City, Nigeria. |
| Occupation | Actress, Model, Presenter |
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Spouse | Steven McDermott (April 2010- Date) [1] |
| Website | |
| http://www.ufuomaejenobor.com/ | |
Ufuoma Stacey Ejenobor[2](born 23 April 1981) is a Nollywood Actress, Presenter and Model based in Nigeria.
Ufuoma Stacey Ejenobor /pronounced "oof-oh-ma, stay-see, edge-air-no-bore"/[3][4] (born 23 April 1981 in Benin City) Best Actress nominee at the Monte Carlo Television Festival (Festival de Télévision de Monte-Carlo) 2010 is a highly celebrated Nollywood actress and model based in Nigeria. She has featured in movies alongside Rita Dominic, Jim Iyke, Oge Okoye, Chioma Chukwuka, Zack Orji amongst others. She is also an Ex Beauty queen who represented Nigeria at the Miss Earth 2004 International beauty pageant in the Philippines.
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Ufuoma Ejenobor was born in Benin City to Nigerian parents who hail from Delta State in Nigeria. She is grateful for a happy and well-broadened orientation made available to her from a very young age through TV and lots of reading. In a 2005 interview[5] She states that she did not necessarily get all she wanted but all she needed was always made available. Growing up in a large and closely knit family, playing around the rocky plateaux of Jos and weekly visits to the then lively Jos wildlife park, childhood for her was "always fun". She moved a lot from Benin to Jos where she spent the better of her toddling years and later Lagos where she has lived for the greater part of her life and still resides till date. At age 7, her father coined a pet name for her: ISIO (which means star in urhobo). She was so named after the star actress of the TELEFEST programe put together by NTA Benin, "The Pot of Life". From age 10, Ufuoma was constantly scolded as 'Television star' by her mom. This was due to her love for watching TV and reading novels. Such huge love that almost every meal she was asked to prepare ended up a "burnt offering". Little did they both know it was like a prophecy on their daughter.
Ufuoma Ejenobor got married on the 23rd of April 2010 to Steven McDermott.[6][7][8]
She went through Alama Private School Jos, Plateau state, Tunwase Nursery and primary school Ikeja, Lagos and finally Molly International Nursery and primary Ajao Estate for her nursery and primary education where she bestowed awards as a brownie, best student in mathematics, best student in French language and for her continuous and consistent 1st position.
She then attended Federal Government College Odogbolu Ogun state for her secondary education. Her belief in dignity and her intelligence saw her in many honourable lights while in secondary school. Respected by students and staff alike, she indeed did the school proud. Being a sportswoman, she earned numerous gold medals in javelin, discus, shot put and hurdles; represented the school and indeed Ogun state in sports and debate competitions. She also earned a badge as the school’s Head girl 1998/99 session.
Ufuoma later bagged a degree in French language from the University of Lagos where she was selected amongst the very few French students in the country to partake of a Federal Government scholarship holiday programme. She also has to her credit certificates and diplomas from Alliance Française and NIIT. She holds a masters degree in Public and International Affairs, also from the University of Lagos.[9]
| SCHOOL | YEAR | QUALIFICATION |
|---|---|---|
| University of Lagos | 2009 | Masters of Public and International Affairs[10] |
| University of Lagos | 2005 | B.A(Hons) French Language |
| Nigeria Institute of Management | 2007 | Proficiency in Management |
| NIIT | 2004 | Computer Proficiency |
| Alliance Française | 2003 | DALF |
| Alliance Française | 2002 | DELF |
| Alliance Française | 2001 | CEFP |
| F.G.C. Odogbolu | 1999 | O' Levels |
She started a career in entertainment with modelling in 2000 as a photographic model and later moved on to the runway and pageants.
By 2002, she had participated in 2 mini pageants, won the Miss Ebony beauty pageant and partaken in her first national pageant : Miss Commonwealth, where she won the Miss Congeniality prize. Later the same year, she emerged st runner up in the queen Afrik beauty pageant.
2003 saw her in the Queen of all Nations beauty pageant where she was again the 1st runner up.
In 2004 she contested in the Miss Nigeria[11] beauty pageant where she emerged ...yet, 1st runner up. Not long after she was crowned Miss Earth Nigeria and consequently went to represent the country at the Miss Earth 2004[12]
International Beauty Pageant held in the Philippines. With winning a crown and international exposure, Ufuoma was done with pageantry.
In Feb 2004,(just after her third undergraduate year) Ufuoma decided on a movie career. Starting off with Zeb Ejiro’s ‘The President must not die’, she has continued to bag major roles in movies. Barely six months into her acting career, she decided to take a break to contest in the Miss Nigeria beauty pageant and finish up her studies being a final year under graduate student. By early 2005, she was ready to return to filming. In May 2005, she played her first lead role in ‘Life and Death’...Her 3rd movie after ‘The President must not die’ and ‘Guy on the Line’. By December 2005, she took on what she considers one of the most demanding roles to prove her love for the job when she played Chibuzor on the “Edge of Paradise’ TV series produced by Royal Roots network. The widow role required her hair cut and lots of crying.
It has been a success story from then on. Her smooth versatility in different roles for both big and small screen well displayed. From detective to envious cousin; from possessed girl to blind girl; from loyal friend to wild one; from grieving widow to vindictive ex.
In 2008 she took on the role of "Lillian Wright" in the TV series "My Mum and I"[13][14][15] a role which garnered her a nomination for a best actress award at the 2010 Festival de Télévision de Monte-Carlo[16] and one at The Terracotta Nigerian TV and Film Awards.[17] She is nominated as the Actor of the year 2011 at the Future Awards [18]
| YEAR | PAGEANT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Miss Earth Nigeria | Winner |
| 2004 | Miss Nigeria | 1st Runner up |
| 2003 | Queen of all Nation | 1st Runner up |
| 2002 | Queen Afrik | 1st Runner up |
| 2002 | Miss Commonwealth | Miss Congeniality |
| 2001 | Miss Ebony | Winner |
Nominated alongside names like Alec Baldwin, Steve Carrel, Tina Fey, Jane Krakowski and January Jones.[26]
She walked the red carpet with dignitaries like his sovereignty, Prince Albert of Monaco, Hollywood Stars like Roger Moore, Simon Baker, LL Cool J, Ice T, Taye Diggs, John McCook, Jorge Garcia, Julie Benz and Elizabeth Mitchell[27][28][29]
Ufuoma has hosted the following events:
In October, Ufuoma alleged she was assaulted by the Policemen attached to the Lagos state house of assembly speaker. In a release to the press, she stated that she was assaulted, battered and her properties taken. In response, the speaker denied all the allegations, saying she "constituted a nuisance in his way". A controversial video, (taken during the whole incident) with several missing scenes was released by the State House of Assembly to buttress their case. The video, which showed only after the accident had occurred showed the actress reacting to her car being hit and also showed scenes at a police station. The Police claims the video is an integral part of their investigation.
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | The President Must Not Die | Detective- Supporting role | Film Director Zeb Ejiro starring Ibinabo Fiberesima, Enebeli Elebuwa- Released 2005 |
| 2004 | Life Partner | Film Director Adim Williams also starring Jim Iyke, Lilian Bach | |
| 2004 | Queen of My Heart | Claudia | Film Director Neville Ossai starring Rita Dominic, Clem Ohameze |
| 2004 | Secrets and Lies | TV mini series | |
| 2005 | Life and Death | *1st Lead Role. Film Director Bond Emeruwa starring Zack Orji, Emeka Ossai | |
| 2005 | Guy on The Line | Film Director Jaja Michael starring Rita Dominic, Jim Iyke, Chidi Mokeme | |
| 2005 | Missed Love | Film Director Adim Williams starring Oge Okoye, Hank Anuku, Jim Iyke | |
| 2005 | Two Good Friends | Floxy | Film Directors Famous Otakpowen and Omoefe Kingsley starring John Okafor, Empress Njamah, Grace Amah, Uche Jombo |
| 2005 | Desperate Billionaire | Film Director Jaja Michael starring Bimbo Akintola, Rita Dominic, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Ini Edo | |
| 2005 | Unknown Angel | Stella | Film Director Ernest Obi starring Ernest Obi, Emeka Eniocha, Ebubu Nwagbo, Tony Umez, Mike Ezuruonye |
| 2005 | Height Of Indecision | Film Director Ernest Obi starring Amaechi Munagor, Chinyere Wilfred | |
| 2005 | Baby Guards | Nonye | Film Director Ifeanyi Onyeabo starring Ashley Nwosu, Osita Iheme, Chinedu Ikedieze |
| 2005 | My Experience | Film Director Oyin starring Emeka Enyioha, Ini Edo, Susuan Patrick, Thelma Okodua | |
| 2006 | Emotional Blackmail | Film Director Ernest Obi starring Zack Orji, Tony Umez, Mike Ezuruonye, Ini Edo | |
| 2006 | One Chance | Film Director Emeka Nwabueze starring Oge Okoye, Emeka Nwafor, Francis Duru, Moses Armstrong | |
| 2006 | Painful World | Vivian | Film Director Willie Ajenge starring Chioma Chukwuka, Desmond Elliot, Mercy Johnson, Moses Effret |
| 2006 | Honey Desire | Vivian | Film Director Stanley William starring Florence Onuma, Ngozi Orji, Mike Ezuruonye, Monalisa Chinda |
| 2006 | Edge of Paradise | Chibuzor (2 Episodes) | TV soap. Film Director Greg Odutayo starring Norbert Young, Caroline King, Akeem Rahaman |
| 2006 | Dangerous Friends | Film Director Ernest Obi starring Steph Nora Okere, Mike Ezuruonye, Yemi Blaq, Onyeka Onwenu | |
| 2006 | Nebuchadnezzar | Cynthia | Film Director Stanley William starring Emeka Eniocha, Moses Armstrong, John Okafor |
| 2006 | Dream come True | Lagbaja's Choice | Musical Video for Musician Lagbaja from the Album "Africano" |
| 2007 | Saving Sarah | Sarah | Film Director Lancelot Imasuen starring Jim Iyke, Desmond Elliot |
| 2007 | Devil's Workshop | Nkechi | Film Director Willie Ajenge starring St Obi, Stephanie Okereke |
| 2007 | Classical Fraud | Cynthia | Film Director Ifeanyi starring Dakore Egbuson, Alex Usifo, Florence Onuma, Clem Ohameze |
| 2007 | Mortal Man | Marian | Film Director Gloriana James Robert starring Mike Ezuruonye, Emeka Eniocha |
| 2007 | Sounds of Poverty | Ene | Film Director Suuny Okwori starring Monalisa Chinda, Susan Peters |
| 2007 | Super Story ( Everything It Takes ) | Joke | TV series. Film Director Andy Amenechi starring John Njamah, Kalu Ikeagwu, Paul Adams, Gloria Young, Gbenga Richards |
| 2007 | Twist of Fate[31] | Vivian | Film Director Willie Ajenge starring Desmond Elliot, Mercy Johson, Moses Effret |
| 2007 | A Night In The Philippines | Amarachi | Film Director Zeb Ejiro starring Ibinabo Fiberesima, Desmond Elliot Mary Eboka |
| 2007 | Buy Me a Rose | Rich | Film Director Ernest Obi starring Dakore Egbuson, Ramsey Nouah, Bukky Ajayi, Arinze Okonkwo |
| 2007 | Titanic Tussle | Mrs Owolabi | Film Director Andy Amenechi starring Kenneth Okonkwo, Mike Ezuruonye Nkiru Sylvanus |
| 2008 | Rose of Africa | Rich | Film Director Ernest Obi starring Mike Ezuruonye, Dakore Egbuson, Steph Nora Okere, Moses Armstrong, Ramsey Nouah |
| 2008 | Italian Deal | Lina | Film Director Ernest Obi starring Yvonne Jegede, Mike Ezuruonye, Kalu Ikeagwu, Femi Branch |
| 2008 | Ice Cold | Film Director Nnamdi Odunze starring Mike Okon, Alex Usifo, Femi Brainard, Vitalis Ndubisi | |
| 2008 | Divine Partner | Doctor | Film Director Yinka starring Oge Okoye, Tony Umez bendict Johnson |
| 2008 | Final Tussle | Mrs Owolabi | Film Director Andy Amenechi starring Desmond Elliot, Eurcharia Anunobi, Kenneth Oknokwo, Mike Ezuruonye |
| 2009 | Empty Coffin[32] | Lilian | Film Director Emeka Hills starring Zack Orji, Emeka Ike |
| 2009 | Be Yourself | Film Director Emeka Nwabueze starring Amechi Munagor, Moses Effret | |
| 2009 | My Mum And I | Lilian Wright | TV series. Film Director Greg Odutayo starring Gbenga Windapo, Taiwo Atigogo. *5 Golden Nymph Nominations at the 2010 Monte Carlo Television Festival. *10 Nominations at The 2010 Terracotta TV and Film Awads |
| 2010 | Hot Island | Lucy | Film Director Emeka Jonathan starring Emeka Ike, Monalisa chinda[33] |
| 2010 | Wise In-Law | Stella | Film Director Ikechukwu Onyeka. starring Majid Michel, Charles Inojie, Ngozi Ezeonu, Hafiz Ayetoro |
| 2010 | Private Storm | Lisa | Film Director Lancelot Odua Imasuen starring Ramsey Nouah, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, John Dumello |