Afam Okereke: Nollywood Actor’s Escapade Into Politics

Nollywood actor, Afam Okereke’s adventure into politics remains, perhaps, less known to many fans who may know him only as an actor or savvy movie producer.

But Okereke, whose acting vocation began in Enugu in 1995, took his first shot at politics when he accepted his appointment as Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to former governor of Enugu State, Sullivan Chime, in 2011.

His first acting role was in Nollywood actor, Nkem Owoh’s movie titled ‘Ikuku’.

While as Governor Chime’s SSA Okoreke had gone ahead to revive the dilapidated Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) to what is known today as the state’s flagship of broadcasting.

Owing to Okereke’s stupendous achievement of resuscitating the ESBS, the movie star-cum-politician took his first shot at an elective seat in 2013.

He vied for the position of chairman of Nkanu West LGA of Enugu State under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and unsurprisingly won.

Okoreke was inaugurated as the Executive Chairman of Nkanu West LGA on 4th January 2014. His tenure elapsed in January 4th 2016.

With the consequent setting up of transitional committees after the dissolution of local government councils in Enugu, the incumbent government of the state, Rt Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi found Mr. Okereke worthy of reappointment as transition committee chairman of Nkanu West LGA, an office he holds till date.

Due to his love for the movie industry, Okereke still tries to find a balance between administering a local government area and the entertainment world. He recently launched a movie academy to aid upcoming artistes find their feet with panic.

He had once been quoted as saying he is “in the industry to make it better than I met it. I delved into writing and directing movies to contribute positively to the industry.”

He believes ‘the creative art in general is a mirror of society as well as an avenue to correct societal vices. I believe in the portrayal of real-life situations.’

Many would recall his creative and artistic savvy in prominent movies such as ‘The Only Nigerian Girl’ where he was the Rev Father Tony; ‘Evil Men’, Izaga’, ‘Ibuka’, ‘Prophesy’, ‘The General’, among others.

He had equally bankrolled, and invests heavily as an Executive producer in international standard film projects, such as ‘Aguba Igogoro’.

Some of the movies he directed include ‘The General’, ‘Most Wanted Bachelor’, ‘Girls’ Cot’, ‘Rush Hour’, ‘Kingdom Apart’, ‘Backdrop’, ‘Escape’ and the famous ‘Billionaires’ Club’.

‘Billionaires’ Club’ was rated among the best movies during the Sithengi Film Festival 2004 in South Africa.

Hon. Okereke, a prolific filmmaker, astute public administrator, and seasoned media consultant, is happily married to Ugochi Afam-Okereke and blessed with four children, three boys and a girl: Kamsy, Miracle, Angel, and Ugomsy Afam Okereke.