Omotola Jalade Ekeinde is a Nigerian actress, singer and philanthropist. She is one of the icons in the Nigerian Nollywood industry. Omotola has not only contributed immensely to the Nigerian entertainment industry, she is also known for her humanitarian efforts.
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Background of Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde
Omotola Jalade Ekeinde was born on the 7th of February, 1978 to Oluwashola Jalade and Oluwatoyin Jalade. She hails from Ondo State but grew up in Lagos with her family. Her mother, Oluwatoyin Jalade worked at J.T Chanrai Nig while her father, Oluwashola Jalade worked with YMCA and the Lagos Country Club.
Education
Omotola Jalade Ekeinde attended Chrisland School, Opebi, Lagos between 1981-1987 and finished in Oxford Children School in 1987. She attended Santos Layout, and Command Secondary School, Kaduna for her secondary education.
Omotola studied briefly at the Obafemi Awolowo University and finally Yaba College of Technology Yaba (1996-2004) where she studied Estate Management.
She is married to Captain Matthew Ekeinde, a renowned pilot and they are blessed with four children.
Acting Career
As a young girl, Omotola’s dream was to study business management and work professionally in a business establishment. Unknowingly, fate has something greater in store for her.
While awaiting admission into the university, she began modeling to give the flying minutes something to keep in store and to also earn a living. It was during one of those days, that she accompanied a friend to a movie audition and fortunately got herself a role.
She made a debut as an actress in 1995 with the movie Venom of Justice and later Mortal Inheritance. Since then, Omotola has acted in several hit movies including Blood Sister, Games Women Play, My Story. She had her first cinematic movie role in the 2010 film, Ije co-starring with Genevieve Nnaji.
The movie star is considered Africa’s biggest box office actress and has featured in over 200 movies. She has the reputation of being the first Nigerian celebrity to be featured in Times Magazine alongside Michelle Obama, Kim Kardashian, and other global leaders.
Hitting New Levels
In early 2013, she took her career to another level by debuting in a US television series; VH1’s scripted series, Hit the Floor.
Omotola has been honored as one of the top 100 influential people in Africa for the year by MIPAD in New York City following the opening of the 73rd UN General Assembly.
In 2014, she was honoured by the Nigerian government as a member of the Order of the Federal Republic MFR for her contribution to Nigeria through entertainment and humanitarian services.
After three years of hiatus, she returned to the scene by playing a lead role in a 2017 movie, Alter Ego alongside Wole Ojo and Jide Kosoko. In June 2018, the award-winning actress was invited to become a member of the Academy of Motions Pictures Arts and Science popularly known as the Oscars. This is in a push by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Science to boost diversity.
Some of Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde Blockbusters
- Lost Kingdom (1999)
- Koosorogun (2002)
- When Love Dies (2003)
- Brave Heart (2005)
- Careless Soul (2007)
- Yankee Girls (2008)
- My Last Ambition (2009)
- Ije: The Journey (2010)
- Ties That Bind (2011)
- Amina (2012)
- Hit the Floor (2013)
- Blood on the Lagoon (2014)
- Alter Ego (2017)
- The Island (2017)
- The Tribunal (2017)
Other Business Interest of Omotola Jalade Ekeinde
Omotola ventured into music in 2004 and debut as a singer with the release of her first album, GBA in 2005. Her first album consists of 10 songs including Naija Lowa and The Things You Do To Me.
In 2010, she released her second album, Me, Myself and Eyes produced by Paul Play and Del B featuring the songs “Feel Alright” ft Harrysong and “Through the fire” by Uche. One of the songs in the album, Barren Land was adopted by Amnesty International, a London-based non-government organisation for human rights.
Reality Show
The leading actress also launched her reality show, Omotola: The Real Me in 2012. This made her the first Nigerian celebrity to star in her own reality show. The reality show was aired on Africa Magic Entertainment, a M-net subsidiary on DStv. It offered her fans a close and exclusive look on her personal life.
Deals
Omotola Jalade Ekeinde has a lot of mouth watery endorsement deals with many big brands. She is the brand ambassador for Scanfrost Appliance, Knorr Cube, Pamper Baby Diapers. She is also the ambassador for B016 hair range by Ghanaian cosmetics giant, Ghaadour.
Omotola is interested in merging real estate and entertainment; building cinemas, film studios and film villages.
Philanthropy
Omotola Jalade Ekeinde lends her time, voice and resource in serving humanity. In 2005, she became a United Nations World Food Programme ambassador and went on missions to Sierra-Leone and Liberia.
Omotola was also an Amnesty International campaigner in 2011 and has participated in campaigns in Sierra-Leone and Niger-Delta of Nigeria.
The award-winning actress also joined ONE Campaign’s Poverty is Sexist Campaign, an initiative aimed at promoting the need for women empowerment across the continent.
Omotola later launched her NGO project, Omotola Youth Empowerment Program (OYEP). OYEP has carried out numerous activities including the empowerment walk and convention for hundreds of Nigerian youths. Her NGO project, which continues to operate in remembrance of Omotola’s late mother brings hundreds of youths together for empowernment walks and conventions. One of their popular projects includes the 20 widows makeover.
Recognitions and Awards
The Best Actress English at The Movie Awards 1997
The Best Actress Overall at The Movie Awards 1997
Best Actress at the City People Awards for Excellence 2004
Best Actress & Grand Achiever at Global Excellence Recognition Awards 2004
Best Individual & Symbol of Creativity at CEON 2004
Most Friendly Actress at Youth Benefactor’s Awards 2006
Best Actress-Africa Collaboration at Ghana Movie Awards 2011
Actress of the Year at Eloy Awards 2012
Pan African Best Actress at Screen Nation Awards 2012
GIAMA Humanitarian Award at Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards 2012
Popular Online Choice at Nollywood Movies Awards 2013
Ebony Vanguard Award at Music Video and Screen Awards 2013
100 Most Influential People in the World by the TIMES Magazine 2013
Member of the Order of the Federal Republic 2014
Female Entertainment Personality at City People Social Media Awards 2016
Best Actress at Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival 2017
Best Actress at Nollywood Travel Film Festival 2017
Most Influential 100 People of African Descent at the United Nations by MIPAD 2018
Movie Icon of the Year at City People Movie Awards 2018
Best Actress in Movies/TV Series at Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards 2018
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