7 Nigerian entertainers turn ministers of the gospel

Quite a number of entertainers have said that they regard what they do as a ‘calling’ of sorts. This is because songs, movies and other forms of entertainment teach and ‘preach’ to people. However, some entertainers have taken things a step further by leaving the limelight for the altar, or combining both. Sunday Scoop takes a look at some of them

Liz Benson

Actress, Liz Benson, used to be the darling of many in Nigeria and beyond. Her gripping portrayal of her roles endeared her to movie lovers and she was regarded as one of the biggest actresses in the country.

However, all of a sudden, Benson stopped appearing in movies and her fans were jolted to learn that she had become a pastor.

She reportedly got ordained as an evangelist at the Rainbow Christian Assembly Church in Warri, Delta State. Till date, she co-pastors the church with her husband, Bishop Great Ameye.

There is no doubt that fans of the former actress would still like to see her on the silver screen and she has stated that she did not totally leave the industry. She said in an earlier interview, “I did not completely quit acting. I only took a back seat to sort out my spiritual life and I give God the glory for His hands on my life and for blessing me with a wonderful husband, who has made the home comfortable for me.

“I am also fulfilled serving people and changing lives. It may seem that I took a back seat, but the calling of God is such that one would have to surrender completely and allow Him to lead one on.”



Charles Okafor

Actor, Charles Okafor, was another fan-favourite that is no longer on the scene. In his heyday, he often acted as an upwardly mobile young man and lover boy. Some of his film credits are Domitila, Forest of Promises, Boiling Point, Between Love and Executive Connection.

Okafor is now an ordained pastor. In an interview with omenka.com, he had admitted that he was a pastor. He said, “Yes, I have been ordained a pastor. As needful as the social media is, they bring up many scandals. So it is a good thing that my name is not soiled on the Internet.

“(However), I am still an actor but a time comes when one has to evaluate one’s steps. I had to ask myself some fundamental questions. I have done a lot of acting and gained enough popularity. I found the need to embark on advocacy acting and decided to be critical. This informed my being selective about the kind of scripts I accept. Also, my spirituality is a factor. I have been a Christian for 21 years and there are things I cannot be seen doing anymore. When scripts come and I see that they don’t agree with my faith, I respectfully turn them down. The consequence is that I lose money but I am happier this way.”



Eucharia Anunobi

She used to be known as one of Nollywood’s ‘bad girls’ because of the roles she played in movies such as Glamour Girls. That, obviously, was why it surprised many when she was ordained as an evangelist at the Fresh Oil International Ministries. The actress then tempered her dressing and became heavily involved in church activities.

However, Eucharia still appears in movies and in an earlier interview with Sunday Scoop, she asserted that her new calling would not stop her from taking any role. She said, “Even as a pastor, I can still act a movie like Glamour Girls because my individuality is different from whatever character I portray in a movie. I always tell people that undue exposure of the body that does not add to the story does not make sense. I watch some movies where people bare skin for no plausible reason.

“Being a pastor does not stop me from acting any role, as long as there is no undue exposure of my body. I gave my life to Christ in 1997; so, even at the peak of my career, I was a born again.”



Patience Ozokwor

Famed for playing the role of a wicked woman in films, Patience Ozokwor, was the last person that many people would have associated with a pastoral calling.

Ozokwor was reportedly ordained as an evangelist some years ago and she has preached and ministered in several churches.

Recounting her ‘born again’ journey, she said in an interview, “I am here to win souls for Jesus. I am here to do the work of my father. Recently, He called me and said I needed to take time out from what I was doing and do His work. It was like a joke but when God calls one, one must answer.

“The devil is trying to stop me from doing what God wants me to do but I am not ready to stop. He should see that and leave me alone.”

She, however, said she had not ceased to be an actor. In an interview with The Punch, she said, “My faith would not affect my career or movie roles. (For example), the movie I am about to shoot is an action one. I am using it to expose some ills in society. There are some obscene scenes I cannot take part in because I am a child of God. If you watch my films, you would know that I have never shot any movie that is obscene. I tell my stories but you would never see me naked. Even when I try to portray some nude scenes, I do it moderately.”



Soul E

Singer, Emmanuel Okose, aka Soul E, seemed to have a promising career and many pundits had tipped him as one of the talents to watch in the music industry. However, the singer had barely stabilised in the music industry before he reportedly became a pastor.

The singer now leads a church called The Evidence Church of Christ in South Africa where he holds revivals and crusades.

However, the Soul E Baba crooner maintained that being a pastor would not stop him from making secular songs. He added, “God has blessed me abundantly. I have no reason to complain. God exposed me to people who I never believed I could meet. Working for God opens doors for one. In my church in Lesotho (South Africa), there are Nigerians, Zimbabweans and South Africans. When God calls a man, He fights his battles and He convinces everyone to follow one.”



Iya Rainbow

Idowu Phillips, popularly known as Iya Rainbow, is one actress who gives her all to whatever role she is playing. She used to be one of the most sought after actresses in the Yoruba part of the movie industry. However, at a point, she became a pastor and stopped appearing in films like she used to.

She has resumed starring in movies though she carefully selects whatever role she accepts. In an interview, she stated that she was still in love with acting but would not play the role of a prostitute. She said, “I am still interested in acting, and as long as I am alive, I still have action in me. If anybody calls me, I can act in any type of movie, except as a prostitute, and I cannot put tattoos on my body, or wear short, revealing dresses. I really miss my acting days. When we went to locations to shoot movies, we enjoyed ourselves and interacted with friends. We slept in hotels and ate whatever we liked in a relaxed atmosphere. I also enjoy myself in the church but we do more of fasting and praying, and lots of vigils.”



Chris Okotie

Chris Okotie used to be the heart-throb of several starry-eyed female fans as he churned out hit songs such as Carolina, Show Your Backside, Fine Mama, Baby Don’t Cry and Lovers Song back in the day.

For over three decades now, Okotie has been the pastor of the Ikeja, Lagos-based Household of God Church International Ministries, where he is adulated by his congregation.

Though many of his fans would love to see him belt out the kind of songs he used to be known for, that doesn’t seem likely to happen.

The cleric still composes and sings for his congregation, so anybody who wants to hear new songs from him would have to make their way to his church.