Bob-Manuel Udokwu Biography: Age, Wife, Children, Current State Of Health, Family And Net Worth In 2022

 Bob-Manuel Udokwu is a Nigerian actor, director, producer and politician. He came into limelight after starring in the Nigerian TV series, Checkmate from 1991-1994. 

Altogether, Bob has about three decades of professional media experience. He is one of the pioneers of the Nigerian movie Industry, Nollywood. Also, he is an award-winning actor, and has starred in hundreds of Nigerian movies.

Udokwu is the longest anchor of the popular reality TV show, Gulder Ultimate Search (2007-2011). He also received political appointments in his state of origin, Anambra State. 

 

Bob-Manuel Udokwu Background

Bob-Manuel Obidimma Udokwu was born in the 1960s on 18th April, in Enugu State. He is the second son and fourth child of six children. He was born to Late Geoffery Nwafor (civil servant) and mother Ezelegbo (a petty trader). Udokwu is from Nkwelle-Ogidi, Idemmili North LGA of Anambra State, Nigeria.  

Bob-Manuel began his education at St. Peters Primary School, Ogbete Enugu (now Hillside). Later on, he moved to Oraukwu Grammar School, Anambra and subsequently, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State in 1986. 

At the University, Bob started with a one-year professional training as an actor before moving to study B.A in Theatre Arts and graduated in 1991. Next, he proceeded to the University of Lagos, for a Masters degree in Political Science majoring in International Relations.

Also, he had his National Youth Service in Ibadan, Oyo State. As a Corp member, he served as the Coordinator of the NYSC Theatre Group between 1991 – 1992.

Bob-Manuel Udokwu Personal Life

In March 1999, while Bob was doing his Masters at the University of Lagos, he met Cassandra Chibubem. Few months after they met, they got married. Today, their union is blessed with two children, a daughter and a son. 

Bob-Manuel Udokwu

Bob-Manuel Udokwu Early Career

 

For Bob-Manuel, acting was innate; he only went to school to hone the skill. He began to act from primary school, and in 1972, he got more popular in primary six. After leaving secondary school, he became more serious with his acting. Later on, he joined some amateur theatre groups and became a guest presenter on FRCN, Enugu. 

Then, in 1986, he was admitted for a certificate program in Uniport. Next, he was awarded Best Student Actor of the Year (Second Runner-up) in 1987. As a result, he moved on to earn a degree in Arts (B.A). As a student, he became the National President of the Nigerian Universities Theatre Arts Students Association (NUTASA) in 1989. Before the end of his tenure, while preparing for one its general programs, Bob-Manuel was informed about an upcoming soap opera. He auditioned and eventually got a role in the Nigerian TV series, Checkmate.

Checkmate was written by Amaka Igwe and sponsored by Lever Brother Nigeria. From 1991 – 1994, Bob played the role of Richard Haatrope in the TV series, Checkmate. He starred alongside Francis Agu, Mildred Iweka, Richard Mofe Damijo, e.t.c.

Subsequently, he made a debut in the movie, Living in Bondage (1992). Next he began to feature in other films such as When the Sun Set (his first romance role), Evil Genius, e.t.c Also, he has starred with several A-list actors like: Ramsey Nouah, Kate Henshaw, Patience Ozokwor, Pete Edochie, Genevieve Nnaji, Desmond Elliot, Omotola Jalade e.t.c

Films

Some of the films he has starred in include;

Living in Bondage, 1992

Circle of Doom, 1993

Black Maria, 1994

Rattlesnake, 1995

Karishika,1996

Most Wanted, 1998

Tokunbo, 1999

Camouflage, 1999

Outkast, 2001

Mothering Sunday, 2001

Valentino, 2002

Old School, 2002

My Girl, 2002

Evil Doers, 2002

Christian Marriage, 2002

Beyond Altar, 2002

The Omega, 2003

Saved by Grace, 2003

Rejected Son, 2003

Market Sellers, 2003

Magic Love, 2003

Cry No More, 2003

Because of Love, 2003

 My God, 2004

Risky Affair, 2004

The Good Samaritan, 2004

Years of Tears, 2004

Campus Edge, 2004

Broken Edge, 2004

Power Brokers, 2005

Games Women Play, 2005

Blind Obsession, 2005

Atonement, 2005

Pastor Deinde, 2005

Soul Engagement, 2006

One-bullet, 2006

Pays to Serve, 2006

Evil Desire, 2006

Beyond Dreams, 2006

The Key for Happiness, 2007

A Time to Love, 2007

Lion’s Den, 2007

Cover Up, 2007

Adesuwa, 2012

Seed of Problem, 2016

Impatience, 2017

The Diamond Secret, 2018

Bob-Manuel Udokwu

Awards And Recognition

Bob-Manuel Udokwu is an award winning actor who has also been recognised both within his state and the media industry. For instance, he was honored with a traditional title. Eze Chukwuemeka Eri (A king in Anambra), conferred on him Onye Anagba Nkili (Someone that people rush to behold) in 2015. 

Also, he has received the following awards; 

Student Actor of the Year (Second Runner-up), University of Port-Harcourt, 1986

Best Actor in a Supporting Role ‘Checkmate’ Thelma and Reel Awards, 1998 

Special Lifetime Achievement Award, African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), 2014 

Best Nollywood Actor, Karifest Award, 2014

Excellence/Man of Honour Award, National Grammar School, Enugu Old Boys Association, 2014

Best Actor, GIAMA Awards, 2014

Best Actor, Best of Nollywood (BON), 2014

Award of Recognition as Outstanding Figure & Role Model for the Youth, Anambra State Students Association, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 2014

Creative Professionals Awards, Anambra Book and Creative Festival ANBUKRAFT, 2016

Bob-Manuel Quotes

“The fastest or easiest way to be recognised as a theatre practitioner, back then and now is to be in front of the camera.”

“Every endeavour you take brings a new experience.”

“We shouldn’t be talking about competition in the African movie industry, rather we should be talking about collaboration because there are many stories to be told in Africans by Africans.”

“The rest of Africa should be grateful to Nigeria – Nollywood- for telling the African story and making it big around the globe.”

“Make the best of every moment you have and have the best of every moment made.”

“…Human nature is basically exploratory. That which you seek to hide is that which the world seeks to discover.”

“Where non-professional who have the capital run an industry, mediocrity thrives.”

 

“Life is meaningless, especially if you cannot use your God-given potential to affect your environment positively.”

“As a Nollywood actor, I can appear and disappear in movies but I don’t do all that by myself. Technology makes it possible. Today, there is technology available for everything, so farming today shouldn’t be with machete and hoes like our forefathers did.”

Bob-Manuel Udokwu is unique and never tired of bringing up new concepts. According to him, his talent and creativity is like that of a phoenix, who always bring out something new. Despite all of his achievements, he believes there are grounds yet to be covered and the best is yet to come. 

To remain successful, we must not see our accomplishments today as the best we can achieve. As long as live keeps evolving, we must desire to stay relevant to the process.