Top female entertainers from Idoma land

When you mention Idoma girl, the first thing that comes to the mind is the irresistible allure of the charming beauty that afropop legend, 2Face Idibia, described in his song, “African Queen”.

But, beyond such ‘mesmerizing forces’ lies a great pool of talents, sheer resistance and determination for a global height in a distinguished career.

In this publication, the spotlight is on industrious Idoma daughters who are doing themselves and the Idoma nation proud on the entertainment scene worldwide.

Here are the top female entertainers from Idomaland as compiled by IDOMA VOICE:

1. Ene Oloja (Veteran Nollywood/Hollywood actress)

Call her ‘The Doyen’ and ‘Mother’ of acting in Nigeria, and you won’t be wrong.

Ene Oloja is one of the pioneers of the Nigerian motion picture industry now known as Nollywood.

She inked her name in the chronicles of entertainment in the country for her sterling performances in the now-rested soap operas ‘Cock-Crow At Down’, ‘Behind The Clouds’, in the 1980’s and 90’s.

Ene, who hails from Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State, relocated to the United States in 9091 and had since then featured in a couple of Hollywood projects including ‘The Brave One’ (2007), alongside Oscar award winning actress, Jodie Foster.

A versatile media practitioner;  brilliant and academically well accomplished, Ene holds a degree in Theater Arts from the University of Ibadan, and a master degree in International Relations and Strategic Studies from the University of Jos.

Ene and four others put together the thought provoking theater production “Echoes From The Diaspora” in 1993, dealing with the immigration experiences of people of color from the Diaspora, staged in New York and New Jersey to packed audiences.

She is currently one of the leading voices in motion picture industry fighting for rights of immigrants people of color in the United States.

In 2019, Ene starred in the Nollywood movie “Zero Hour” alongside RMD, Alex Ekubo and others.

She was born on 25th May 1957.

2. Grace Jerry (Social activity/Singer)

Grace Alache Jerry popularly known as Grace Jerry, is an international disability-activist, human rights advocate, a musician and beauty pageant queen who was awarded the Miss Wheelchair Nigeria.

She became paralyzed after she was hit by a drunk driver.

Jerry is a spokesperson for over 25 million Nigerians who are living with disability.

Grace Jerry, the Executive Director of Inclusive Friends Association has performed in concerts within and out Nigeria.

She is the 2015 Mandela Washington Fellows who were honored by President Barack Obama.

She also holds a diploma in law.

Jerry also run a charity music project tagged “Music for Toilets” where she donates proceeds from her music to special schools.

Some of her songs include; ”I am Grace”, “E Go Happen”, “Beautiful Woman” (feat. Panama Percy Paul), Ada ‘Ogbonene (feat. Chris Morgan).

3. Sharon Ooja (Actress)

Sharon Ooja Egwurube is a currently the most sought-after thespian in the Nigerian movie industry.

She rose to prominence for her role as Shalewa in the Nigerian YouTube series “Skinny Girl in Transit”

Sharon Ooja is from Ado Local Government Area of Benue State but she was born in Kaduna state and raised in Jos, Plateau state.

She  is a graduate of Mass Commuication from Houdegbe North American University, Benin Republic.

Some of her movies include; Skinny Girl in Transit, King of Boys, Coming from Insanity, Moms at War, From Lagos with Love, Lara and the Beat ,The Men’s Club, Gidi Up, Jenifa’s Diary Season 12.

4. Ada Ameh (Actress/compere)

Ada Ameh is an ace Nolllywood actress, comedian, philanthropist, entrepreneur and CEO of Adylad Productions.

She is an inspirational lady, who refused against all odds to be relegated to the back seat or turn into a recluse after having her child – Ladi Ameh (now deceased) – at the tender age of 14.

Undeterred by the pains of single parenthood at that age, Ada never gave up hope despite the fact that she was not privileged to have formal education.

The star in her shone clearly in the 1996 “Domitilla” – a landmark movie in the Nigerian home video industry.

She had featured in over 200 Nollywood movies including; “Aki Na Ukwa, Osofia in London, Phone Swap, 30 Days in Atlanta, Oloture, The Johnsons series.

5. Monica Ogah (Project Fame West Africa S4 winner/Singer)

Monica Ene Ogah alias Monica Ogah, made the Idoma nation and Benue State proud after she made history as the first person from Middle Belt/the old Northern region of Nigeria, and second female to win MTN Project Fame in 2011.

She was born on 7th August 1994 in Makurdi, the Benue State Capital.

A versatile and highly gifted singer, Monica does almost everything genre from pop, Rhymes and blues, highlife, soul music to gospel, as evident in the kinds of features she had scored.

She was featured on the popular worship song “Often as I breathe” by Chris Morgan.

She had also worked with top industry names like; Banky W (Window remix), Wizboy (Body Hug), Chidimma, Tha Suspect, to mention a few.

She recently dropped an Extended Play (EP) titled “Different” which is currently rocking the airwaves.

She is young, passionate and full of ambition. She will no doubt take the world by storm.

6. Ene Maya Lawani (Former Miss Nigeria/Model)

Ene Maya Lawani is the longest serving Miss Nigeria.

She became Miss Nigeria in 2014 and until 2010.

Before now the ex-queen kept a low profile for years, until she bounced back with the launch of her exquisite headgear called ‘Ene Maya’.

The Ene Maya Collection is a combination of head wraps, scarves and accessories and ever since her profile has been on the rise. She has continued to dazzle everyone with her stunning look, flawless skin and powerful dress sense. Not only that, she has also become the living advertisement of her brand. No matter what Ene adorns, she will always compliment it with her turban headgear, which stands her out.

During her reign as Miss Nigeria, Ene was not only the poster face for advertising brands, but also the frontier campaigner for social justice/charity in Nigeria.

7. Susan Peters (Actress/Entrepreneur)

Susan Ochanya Peters is a multiple award-winning Nollywood actress, model, television personality, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and the self-acclaimed Duchess of Idoma.

Susan Peters has acted in more than 250 Nollywood movies which include Wasted Effort, The Hammer, Songs of Sorrow, Squad 23, State of Emergency, The Begotten, The President Must Not Die, Stolen Bible, War Front, Saving the Crown, Wild Wind, Second Adam, Life is Beautiful, Immoral Act, Nollywood Hustlers, etc.

In 2010, she won City People Awards for Outstanding Performance, Best Supporting Actress in Nollywood and African Film Critics Awards in North Carolina in the United States of America. In 2011, she won Nigerian Oscars Awards for Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Best Actress in English at the Afro-Hollywood Awards and African Films Awards.

8. Lucy Ameh (Actress)

Lucy Ameh is a multiple-award winning Nolywood actress and movie producer. She was born and had her up-bringing in Kaduna State, but hails from Benue State, Nigeria.

Lucy holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from NTA TV College Jos, an affiliate of Amadu Bello University, Zaria.

She participated in the Reality show, Next Movie Star Nigeria/Ghana and made into the house alongside Uti Nwanchukwu, Lydia Forson, Martha Ankoma, Adesuwa and others.

We have stared in about 50 Nollywood movies including ‘Beauty and the beast’, ‘Queen Amina’, ‘Ajoche’ series.

9. Meg Otanwa

Meg Otanwa is an award winning Nollywood actress and former banker.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, a Master’s degree in Human Resources Management from TIME Universite Tunis, Tunisia and an MBA training from Universite Jean Moulin, Lyon France. Meg worked at African Development Bank in Tunis, Tunisia several years before moving back to Nigeria to pursue her passion as an actress.

She is best known for the movies/series; October 1 (2014), Before 30 (TV series 2015-present), and Kpians: The Feast of Souls (2014).

Other movies she has featured in include; Ojuju (2014), Payday (2018), The Eve (2018), Hush series, B430 series, Atlanta, Gidi Culture, For Maria Ebun Pataki.

Ace entertainment writer and editor, Ameh Comrade Godwin, once described as “The Chameleon” due to her ability to transform and switch into different characters on movies.

10. Immaculate Edache

Her foray to stardom began when she emerged 1st runner up of the highly competitive 2014 Project Fame West Africa Season 6.

The Idoma-born bold and beautiful songstress smiled home with cash prize of N3m and a brand new car.

Edache, a Mass Communication graduate of Benue State University was also one of the finalists of Peak Talent Hunt Show.