-Sulaimon Mojeed-Sanni

The Nigerian film industry better know has Nollywood has really come of age producing great stars, glamour and fortunes. In the last two decades, we have seen some extraordinary artist who tacitly disappear from limelight and leave their fans guessing what happened, BlackBox Nigeria, brings you some of those artist after wide consultations. For the older generation, it is a good remainder while for the younger generation and internet savvy generation, it is what you missed... Enjoy.


1. Regina Askia: Regina Askia-Williams was born Imaobong Regina Askia Usoro in Lagos, Nigeria in 1967. The ex-University of Lagos Beauty queen was first featured on Fortunes(1993) a Nigerian soap on NTA Network, were she played gold-digger Tokunbo Johnson. The role earned her critic reviews and floodgate for other movie roles. She starred in over 40 films between 1993 and 2007 when she was last seen in Slave Warrior: The Beginning.
The gorgeouslooking Actress relocated to the United State where she afterwards became a registered nurse. The last news heard from our former Nollywood Diva was that she volunteered as a Nurse in a US Ebola Center as a way to help eradicate the fast-spreading virus.

2. Onyeka Onwenu Fondly called the ' Elegant Stallion', the music cum screen diva, is an epitome of an evergreen artist. She has seen it all as a singer, songwriter, actress, journalist and politician.
Born on 31 January 1952, Onwenu because of her brilliant role plays has featured in numerous Nollywood films which include Conspiracy, Government House and Omalinze. She made a great comeback in 2013 with the blockbuster film adaptation of Chimamanda Adichie's Half of a Yellow Sun where she played the mother of Odenigbo, acted by Nigerian-British born actor Chiwetel Ejiofor. The highly educated actress with a Master's degree in Media Studies is presently the Director General of the National Council for Women Development (NCWD), an appointment she got from President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

3. Liz Benson She rose to prominence using Liz Benson as her stage name but now known as Liz Ameye, she started acting when she was five years old. Born in 1966, her journey to stardom also began after appearing in the popular television soap opera, Fortunes in 1993. She later featured on notable movies like Living In Bondage, Most Wanted, Inheritance, Glamour Girls, Diamond Ring, Eku Ida( produced by Tunji Bamishigbin) amongst others. A few years ago, Liz Benson Ameye took everyone by surprise when she declared that she was quitting acting, following her marriage to Bishop Great Ameye of the Freedom Assembly. Following the hiatus in her acting career, the new generation of Nollywood movie lovers can heave a sign of relief as their delectable actress would be back to the screen with her being featured in Stephanie Okereke's new movie which focuses on the plight of women afflicted with vesico vaginal fistula (VVF) in Nigeria.

4. Eucharia Anonubi Nollywood actress turned-Evangelist yes, you read that right.
Evangelist Eucharia was before now, a toast of Nollywood movie producers and she featured in countless movies until she fell in love with the alter and the Lord Jesus Christ. 
Though it is over a year she was last seen on screen, her Facebook page description still reads,"i am an actress , an evangelist and Model (both for Print and Run-way ) I do consulting for events and planning as well."
From our survey, many still wish to see the former Glamour Girl, grace their screen not as an evangelist but as an actress.

5. Shola Shobowale Do you still remember Toyin Tomato of the Super Story fame? Can you still recollect that home video "Ohun Oko Somi Da"? Did your ever imagine where this eclectic, dramatic, vibrant and captivating fair colored actress disappeared to?
Well, she relocated to the United Kingdom to live a new and quiet life in Britain. Despite having starred in numerous home videos and with an intimidating resume, the very popular thepian in 2011became a Support worker at Emuke, a UK based Nigerian cuisine restaurant owned by her sister and her husband, Tunji and Kikelomo Oyelana.

In this age of lack of lack of rich contents and character in the Yoruba movie industry, no one personifies old-school Nollywood glamour quite like indomitable Sola Sobowale and her fans would like to see her again.

6. Hilda Dokubo She is an award winning actress who started acting in 1991. Born Hilda Dokubo Mrakpor she is known for Black Maria, End of the Wicked (1999) and Onye-Eze (2001). The graduate of Theatre Arts also has a masters degree in Theatre Education from University of Port-Harcourt and aims to return to school to do a PhD in International Relations. The Nollywood actress absconded from the glamour of the film industry to become a Commissioner in the Peter Odili governments in 2011. Her fans hopefully hope to see her back someday.


7. Camilla Ngberekpe: You must have been privileged to the rumor(don't know if it is true though) about a Nollywood actress delivered of witchcraft by Pastor TB Joshua (yes, same TB whose church's guest house collapsed recently). The story even went further that Camilla Mberekpe even brought forth her son to the synagogue church in order to be delivered from the evil spirits controlling him, a year after hers. Well, she has denied it all, she only went for deliverance because some evil spirits are making life difficult for her.

That aside, Camilla Mberekpe is very versatile actress who has been in Nollywood since the early days of the industry and she is often cast as a Mother or wicked step-mother. Her numerous roles in movies goes to show that she is definitely a force to reckon with in Nollywood and she has proven that. She has been missing on the screen for sometimes now. Where is she now?

8. Shan George: The beautiful single mother of two, is said to have changed names/husband as much times as she had changed roles in her numerous movies. The self acclaimed village born and brought up girl privileged to  be part of the movie industry is one woman with a lot of controversies about relationships in her life. But thing clouded all the controversies, her ability to flawlessly deliver are roles in any give film. The fair skinned diva went under ground some years back leaving her fans in wonderland.

9. Lilian Bach: The last time sexy half-caste Nollywood actress was seen doing something close to a movie was at Shan George's movie premiere in May 2012. Lilian Bash known for Women in Love (2006) and Women in Love 2 (2006), premiered her own movie in mid 2011 and has been off the scene in terms of making it to the headlines ever since.
Lilian who has been very scarce in the play-acting world was rumored to be back into acting in January of this year when she graced the premiere of Lisa Omorodion's First Cut movie at Eko Hotel and Suites. But to the fans of the light skin model full of expectations, her hiatus seems no way closer to the end.

10. Susan Patrick: For more that four years now, fans of Susan Patrick have patiently wait for the return of their Sakobi the snake girl? The gap toothed beauty disappeared out of limelight without warning.
It is believed in some quarters that the death of her husband, Captain Ojoi made Patrick throw spanner into her acting career.

Comment your observations or reservations below or send us a mail at blackboxnigeria360@gmail.com

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