Ngozi Nwosu: Friends and fans panic over strange illness

By Osagie Alonge

A deadly blow has once again hit Nollywood, as yet another practitioner has been struck with a serious illness

Popular actresses Ngozi Nwosu, who has played ‘Peace’, one of the troublesome wives of Chief Fuji (played by Kunle Bamtefa) for over 20 years in ‘Fuji House of Commotion,’ is suffering from a kidney disease.

Reports say Nwosu had been living with the disease unsuspected for a while, but when she eventually became aware of her condition, she kept the news close to her chest.

The news about her deteriorating health was written about in several newspapers, including an expose in The SUN Newspapers last year. A furious Nwosu publicly denied the news, claiming the writer had written lies.

Instead of coming out to cry for help, Nwosu camouflaged for months, claiming she was simply watching her weight. She continued acting – she resumed her role in ‘Fuji House of Commotion’ in April 2012, and acted alongside YAW in his ‘Yaw’s and Mine’ sitcom.

This all begs the question; why didn’t she tell the world about her current predicament? Nobody knows.

Nwosu is now a frequent visitor at a private hospital in Lagos, but contrary to reports, is neither in need of a Kidney transplant nor is she confined to a bed/wheelchair. ‘A lot of papers have reported false stories, further tests are being awaited for now’, a very close source tells us.

What we do know is Nwosu has conveniently refused to attend events, shows and other places where the media presence is usually heavy.

Meanwhile, her friends and colleagues at the National Association of the Theatre Arts Practitioners of Nigeria (NANTAP) have rallied and swung into action in an attempt to help their colleague. An effort to raise funds to pay for her outrageous hospital bill and possible surgery has been put into place.

‘Basically, it’s a kidney problem, she went to the hospital for a test when she was ill and it’s from the test the doctor confirmed the ailment but over this weekend, we should be able  to know exactly. We will be visiting her in the hospital over the weekend to really know the whole truth and what can be done’, Chairman of the Lagos Chapter of NANTAP, Faith Eboigbe told E24-7 Magazine.

Nwosu’s fate, just like many others, lies in the hands of Nigerians. Will she go the same way as other actors such as James ‘Giringory’ Iroha or Dento, who died battling different illnesses with no hope of recovery, or like Enebeli Elebuwa, who has been in and out of hospital for a long while?

‘If you see her my brother she’s not the same Ngozi that you know. She has changed and she has really tried for herself, you see, her she has really emaciated such that you cannot recognize her. She has spent so much to get back to life and we concerned and that’s why we have raised a Committee of Friends to look into the matter and raise funds’ another NANTAP colleague said.

Nwosu, a native of Arochukwu in Abia State, has over 50 movie credits under her belt. She reportedly started acting as part of the dramatic society in her school. She landed her first movie role in the 1992 Nollywood classic ‘Living in Bondage’ where she played ‘Ego’. She also played the role of ‘Madam V-Boot’ in the 90’s soap opera ‘Ripples’.

Nwosu was previously married to a Beninoise, from Cotonou, Benin Republic, but they parted ways due to irreconcilable differences.