Veteran Nollywood actress Patience Ozokwo, popularly known as Mama G, has revealed that she once sold puff-puff and prepared chicken to make ends meet while pursuing her acting career.
Ozokwo made the revelation in an interview with Femi Babs TV, published on YouTube on Wednesday, while reflecting on the difficult experiences and sacrifices that shaped her journey to success.
The actress said her early years in the movie industry were far from easy, explaining that she often went to auditions with food items to sell to people in order to raise money for transportation and other needs.
“When I came into the industry, there was a time that I was selling buns and puff-puff. I was frying it. I would prepare chicken, dress it well — anyone you want to buy,” she said.
“I saw people going out to buy things. I would go to audition places; people would buy from me. I would see money for transport tomorrow. That is how I grew up.”
Ozokwo said her willingness to work and provide for herself was part of the resilience she developed from an early age.
“I really struggled to get to where I am today. It wasn’t flowery; it wasn’t an easy thing. My life is full of spirituality, deep prayer. When others are sleeping, I am praying,” she said.
The veteran actress also reflected on the sacrifices she made during her marriage, explaining that she did not pressure her husband to provide the lifestyle she saw other women enjoying.
“Some women, when they get married, they tell their husbands, ‘This one bought a car for his wife, this one bought a house for his wife. What are you not doing?’” she said.
Ozokwo said she understood her husband’s circumstances and chose to work with what they had rather than compare him with other men.
“I didn’t wait for my husband. I knew the kind of person he was. I studied my husband. I buttoned up and tightened my belt, and I struggled,” she said.
She revealed that the family’s situation became even more difficult when her husband battled serious health problems for several years.
“Incidentally, he was sick for so many years. It was a horrible sickness — diabetes and hypertension together — and it was a struggle,” she said.
According to the actress, her children also witnessed the family’s difficult period and eventually became old enough to contribute to the running of the household.
“At a time, my children also grew up and they were helping me, so I also moved. They took care of the house. They too went through that,” she said.
Ozokwo believes those experiences contributed to shaping her children into the people they are today.
“That is why they are doing well now,” she said.
Her account highlights the struggles, sacrifices, hard work and resilience that accompanied her rise to prominence, showing that her journey to becoming one of Nollywood’s respected veterans extended well beyond her work on screen.
Source: Femi Babs TV interview
