Chief Chika Okpala MFR (born 10 June 1950) is a Nigerian comedian.[1]
Chika Okpala | |
|---|---|
| Born | 10 June 1950 Ahoada, Rivers State. |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Other names | Zebrudaya |
| Citizenship | Nigerian |
| Alma mater | Enugu State University of Science and Technology |
| Occupation | Comedian |
| Years active | 1983 — present |
| Known for | New Masquerade |
He is popularly known as Chief Zebrudaya a sobriquet he got from his role as Chief Zebrudaya in a TV comedy series, New Masquerade, which aired from 1983 to 1993.[2][3]
He is considered a veteran the entertainment industry because of his consistency and contribution to industry. Which he was awarded for in 2017,where he won the African magic viewers choice award ( AMVCA) , presented by MultiChoice through Africa Magic for lifetime contribution to the industry.[4]
He holds the traditional titles of Ezeonunekwuru ora of nnobi, Ezekwesili of Akabo Mbaise and Ezeonunekwuru Oha of Aba.[4]
Personal life
editChief Chika Okpala was born in Ahoada in present day Rivers State into a family of nine children in a Polygamous family, who lived in harmony. He was tutored by his fathers friend who he served as a houseboy. His father wanted him to be a banker and did everything possible to keep him on that track to achieve his goals. This plan for his son can be associated to the fact that he was a businessman. And part of the bigger plan was the plan to send the young Chika and his siblings back home to stay with their paternal grandmother in their hometown Nnobi in Idemili South local government area of Anambra State to be embedded in their origin.
He is married and blessed with two children who are both married and has children of their own. Although he initially had 3 children but lost his eldest daughter some years ago.[4] [5] His Son Henry Okpala is married and has a daughter. He lives and works in Nigeria.[6]
Early Life
editChika started formal education journey from standard 1-3 in his hometown nnobi, before he was brought back to Ahoada to continue his standard 4. But he became a handful and often playing truancy with his peers. He would sneak out at night to go to cinemas to see films without his parents knowledge. On one of those occasion ,one of his friends got injured while trying to sneak into the cinema house without paying.in turn his friends parents confronted his parents and because of this incident. His father decided to take him to another village called Joinkarama, where he stayed with his father's friend who worked at a Baptist hospital and needed someone to stay at home and take care of his son when the wife is at the farm.
Education
edit[7] He later proceeded to take his common entrance examination and was accepted at the Baptist day school, Port Harcourt. He also attended Prince Memorial High School at Onitsha, a city in Anambra State, Southeastern Nigeria, between 1964 and 1972.[8] He later obtained a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Mass Communication from the Enugu State University of Science and Technology in 1996.[9][10]
In 2014, he was among the 700 students that matriculated at National Open University of Nigeria,Enugu state where he enrolled for the masters program in business management at the age of 64.[11]
Career
editChika Okpala became popular playing "Chief Zebrudaya alias 4.30" in the popular 80s sitcom "The New Masquerade". His character portrays a pompous, half-educated champion of the elite who spoke in a characteristic blend of wrong grammar and witty proverbs. The sitcom uses humour to navigate complex societal issues and was a cultural touchstone that helped people with their everyday lives[12]
Achievements
editOn March 4, 2017, Chika Okpala won Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award (AMVCA) 2017 Industry Merit.
He has also been honored with a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic [MFR) by the Federal Government of Nigeria for his contribution to the Nigerian entertainment industry.
Chika Okpala (Chief Zebrudaya) is an ambassador of Malaria in Nigeria, an ambassador of lepers in Nigeria, and an ambassador of the National Open University of Nigeria of Nigeria.[13]
Filmography
edit- New Masquerade
- Professor Johnbull
- Phone Swap (2012) as Mary's Father
- Lionheart (2018) as Board Member 1
- I Believe (2018) as PA Joseph
- Dark October (2023) as Village Chief
- savana(2014)
- Ifediche(2023)
References
edit- ^ Njoku, Benjamin. "How destiny brought Giringori and I together - Zebrudaya". Vanguard. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
- ^ "Chief Zebrudaya Chika Okpala Studying Business Management at Age 64". nigeriafilms.com. Archived from the original on 8 February 2015. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
- ^ Ubabukoh, Ozioma. "People Think I'm an Illiterate – Chika Okpala, aka Chief Zebrudaya". The Punch. Archived from the original on 8 February 2015. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
- ^ a b c "Chika 'Zebrudaya' Okpala: An artiste as a moral compass by Uche Ugboajah". Ikenga Online. 2022-04-25. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
- ^ Okere, Alexander (2022-07-10). "Dad introduced 99 ladies to his parents before marrying – Zebrudaya's son". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2024-11-22.
- ^ Okere, Alexander (2022-07-10). "Dad introduced 99 ladies to his parents before marrying – Zebrudaya's son". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2024-11-22.
- ^ "Chika 'Zebrudaya' Okpala: An artiste as a moral compass by Uche Ugboajah". Ikenga Online. 2022-04-25. Retrieved 2024-10-08.
- ^ "Chika Okpala aka Chief Zebrudaya Goes Back To School At Age 64yrs". Information Nigeria. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
- ^ Adibe, Tony. "Nobody can manage me - Zebrudaya". Weekly Trust. Archived from the original on 8 February 2015. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
- ^ "PEOPLE THINK I'M AN ILLITERATE – Chika Okpala, aka Chief Zebrudaya". 2015-02-08. Archived from the original on 2015-02-08. Retrieved 2024-10-08.
- ^ "Chief Zebrudaya Chika Okpala Studying Business Management At Age 64 - nigeriafilms.com". 2015-02-08. Archived from the original on 2015-02-08. Retrieved 2024-10-08.
- ^ Itunu, Azeez Kareem (November 5, 2023). "Exploring the Legacy of the New Masquerade". Guardian Life.
- ^ Buchi, Blessing (2022-06-05). "Chika Okpala (Chief Zebrudaya) Biography: Wife, Age, Songs, Net Worth, State Of Origin, Comedy, Movies, Wikipedia, Children". TheCityCeleb. Retrieved 2024-10-08.