‘I was neglected by my State during my illness’ – Actress Ngozi Nwosu opens up

Nigerian actress Ngozi Nwosu has made it clear that she won’t be offering her services free of charge to Abia State, her place of origin, citing a lack of support during a critical health crisis.

In a recent interview with Seun Oloketuyi on the Nollywood on Radio podcast, the 61-year-old actress opened up about her decision, which stemmed from the government’s absence during her 2012 battle with kidney disease.

Nwosu shared that the experience of facing such a serious illness without assistance from her home state left a lasting impact, leading her to prioritize compensation for any future engagements with the state.

This stance highlights her desire for professional recognition and fair treatment moving forward.

“I have personally made a pact that there is nothing my state can call me for that I would attend for free,” Ngozi stated firmly.

“They will pay through their nose for me to be there. I am from Arochukwu Local Government, Abia State.”

The actress shared how a fan in Lagos helped her. The fan, who called her her “favorite actress,” reached out to the Lagos State Government to get support for her.

“It was my fame from acting that ultimately helped me when I was in need,” she explained.

“The person who contacted the Lagos government did so because she was a fan. When she found out I was ill, she called on the Lagos authorities to save my life.”

In 2022, she disclosed that the talk about her health issues led her to experience depression. She said in part:

“There was rumour that I’d died, there was rumour I was in Germany while I was in my house.

Nothing pains like when a journalist decides to kill you and kill you from your very before with ‘and from the horse’s mouth’. Now who is the horse, who is the mouth? Oh God!

Or is it when I traveled to London for my treatment, the lady I took with me, the family now called her and said ‘o ti lo ta kidney e’ (you have gone to sell your kidney).”

Ngozi started her acting career in Yoruba films. She made a memorable debut in the home video Living in Bondage.

She has also appeared in music videos for artists like Chidinma Ekile, Fair Prince, and Davido.